Jacobs Way Turnau
On easy forest paths, forest tracks, meadows with grazing highland cattle, past tranquil farms, over footpaths and bridges, this trail leads eastwards from Turnau to the end of the valley to reach the Catholic parish church, which is well worth seeing, via a mountain road with wonderful views of the entire region. Panoramic boards show the route and tell the story of St James. The church is located on the ‘Kirchenbühel’ above the centre of the market town of Turnau. The tower was once a defence tower and, like the main portal, dates back to the 16th century. The rear part of the church must have already existed around 1387. The high altar is richly gilded; above it stands the statue of the parish patron saint, St James. St James, the apostle and older brother of St John the Apostle, is also the patron saint of pilgrims and travellers. Surrounding the church are four chapels in honour of the evangelists; a grave slab and a cast iron grave cross are reminders that iron was once mined in this area and processed in foundries.
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From the north:
On the B 20 (Mariazell main road) over the Styrian Seeberg ....
From the east:
On the S 6 (Semmering motorway) to the Mitterdorf/Veitsch exit, then over the Pretalsattel or to the Mürzhofen - St. Marein exit, then over the Pogusch...
From the south:
Take the S 35 (Brucker Schnellstraße) and S 6 (Semmering Schnellstraße) to the Kapfenberg exit, then the B20 (Mariazeller Bundesstraße) via Thörl ...
From the west:
Take the S 36 (Murtal motorway ) and S 6 (Semmering motorway) to the Kapfenberg exit, then the B20 (Mariazell main road) via Thörl ....
From the information board in the centre of Turnau, follow the pavement south towards Pogusch, past the primary school and fire brigade across the Stübmingbach stream to the junction to the left towards Bircha. On the road you come to the car park of the Schwabenbergarena (for people coming from the south, there is also a car park here). Heading east, the path leads past the Hexenrundwanderweg trail; follow the forest path through a commercial forest. Follow the signposts through the forest and after about 30 minutes you will reach a small open meadow with a beautiful view. Follow the path past the large ‘Kalch’ farm and you will reach the beginning of the Maurergraben. Cross the road and continue eastwards. Along the forest road you can marvel at the diverse meadow flowers. Before continuing along the path to the left, continue straight ahead for approx. 80 metres to the ‘Dirnbacher’ snack station. By this point, you have already covered more than a third of the trail. A new path leads along a large pasture to a meadow descent, where you can usually see highland cattle grazing. The animals have impressive horns, but are generally shy (dog owners keep their animals particularly short). At the end of the meadow, you cross a somewhat busier road: watch out for children and dogs!
Now you walk along the road first in a northerly direction, then westwards in a shady area; past the Nauningerhof farm you reach 2 farms with wonderful views of the Turnau valley. The path leads through the farm area with a watchful domestic dog. This is also the highest point of the hike at 933 metres above sea level. We continue along the forest road to a particularly lovely valley, where the path and a beautiful wooden bridge have been newly built. We come to the Tanschen, a private, very beautiful old farmhouse, which has been converted into a wonderful alpine hut with catering facilities. It is worth taking another break here before the last third of the route. From there, head towards Brücklergraben until you reach Greithstraße, which you cross to reach Fladischerhof. A comfortable path leads to one of the most beautiful farms in the region, where a friendly pet dog also keeps watch. To the south of the stately barn, the meadow path leads to a ruined chapel. Along the former Way of the Cross, you walk along a hollow path, which is completely covered by hazel and other shrubs, to the Eichfeld lift hut (partly open in summer). After a few metres, you have already reached your destination, the parish church of St. James. From the ‘Kirchbühel’ we enjoy the view of the village of Turnau with its wonderful high valley panorama.
To start the day, we recommend breakfast at the traditional Seidl bakery and patisserie right on the main square.
Infopoint Turnau, Hauptplatz 18, 8625 Turnau
+43 3863/2111-14
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Turnau (756m)
