From Strassengel station walk for 20 minutes along Bahngasse and Bildstockweg up to the Kirchberg, always with a view of the pilgrimage church of Maria Strassengel. Then the path goes downwards underneath the car park at the cemetery. As soon as you have reached the asphalt Strassengelstrasse you take a sharp left past a restored farm. At the end of this asphalt road, march up right on a wooded / meadow path. From here you’ll have a wonderful view over Strassengel. Having reached the highest point, turn left towards the forest and up the constantly ascending trail no. 30.
After about 45 minutes you’ll hit the Höhenweg (Grazer-Umland-Weg GUW 563) from Graz Gösting to Plankenwarth. Branch off to the right and after a few minutes you’ll reach the mighty “Bilderbuche”, an ancient beech decorated with crosses and pictures from hikers. Here, the Höhenweg 563 path crosses the hiking path 30 from Thal.
Stay on the Höhenweg 563 and enjoy the splendid view. After a short descent you can make a detour up at the right to the grave of the “Generalin” on the Generalkogel (the former chatelaine of Plankenwarth Castle is buried here with her three favourite dogs). We walk along forest paths and through a beautiful deciduous forest towards Plankenwarth Castle. The pilgrims’ path from Thal crosses at the wayside shrine. Keep right and follow the asphalt road. At the former Binder inn, follow the gently ascending road in the direction of St Oswald until you reach Plankenwarth Castle (privately owned). At the castle car park the way takes you to the right and into the woods. Follow trail no. 12 in the direction of the Lindenkreuz chapel.
After about a quarter of an hour you’ll reach the chapel, built in 1812. It is an inviting place for you to take a pleasant break before you wander on to the metalled road towards the Kugelberg hill. Yet again a wonderful view opens up onto the pilgrimage church of Maria Strassengel. At the first fork in the path, descend on trail no. 14. You’ll reach the town centre of Strassengel after approximately an hour and a half.