In the footsteps of pilgrims in the Raab Valley - the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross

Name: In the footsteps of pilgrims in the Raab Valley - the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross
Brand: Steiermark
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

The tour offers great views of the Raabtal valley and takes you through shady mixed forests to a hill on which the beautiful Breitegg church is located.

The pilgrimage church of Breitegg is located about 2 km outside of St. Ruprecht an der Raab on Calvary Hill, which extends to the north of the market. A wooden tower was replaced by a wooden prayer house at the present location of the church in the 18th century. Today's church "Zum Gegeißelten Heiland" was built on this site from 1845 to 1850. The three-bay building with a vestibule, semi-circular apse and double-towered façade was built in historical forms by master mason Jakob Gauster from Dörfl. The nearby church on the Weizberg served as a model for the towers. The church was consecrated in 1853. The painting of the church was completed in 1890 with historical decorative elements on the pilasters and ceiling as well as with pictures referring to the Passion of Christ on the vault, rear wall and ceiling. The chapel in the vestibule houses a plastic replica of the Mariahilf image of grace from Graz. Today, the church is also popular for devotions.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

3,3 km

Route

1:00 h

Time

122 hm

Uphill

122 hm

Downhill

525 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

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More information

The starting point is in Unterfladnitz, a district of the market town of St. Ruprecht in Eastern Styria, and is easily accessible via the A2 motorway from Vienna (approx. 2 hours) and Graz (approx. 30 minutes).

Arrival from Vienna and from Graz: On the A2 from Vienna and from Graz, take motorway exit 161 / Gleisdorf West in the direction of B54/B64. Follow the B65 / Gleisdorf federal road until you reach the B54 / Wechselbundesstraße. At the roundabout take the second exit to the B64 / Rechberg-Bundesstraße. After about 6 km turn right to Unterfladnitz.

Route planner

We start the tour at the village cross in Unterfladnitz behind the Heinzl inn and the sawmill. and briefly follow the road northwards to cross the B64 federal road via a bridge.
Soon we turn right and follow the yellow signs. Here you will soon come to the first station of the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross. We follow an asphalt path for a short while before turning left into a forest path.
Here the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross goes beautifully through a forest always slightly uphill. Pause at the individual stations and enjoy the shady beautiful forest.
After about one kilometre, we emerge from the forest and can already see the Breitegg pilgrimage church in front of us with its beautifully designed forecourt, which invites you to take a rest. Take your time and admire the church, which is modelled on the Weizberg church.
Tip: After visiting the church, taking a photo or two of the church and the wonderful landscape of the Raab valley with its fields and gardens that lies before us, we should invest another 800 metres or so and visit the Buschenschank Gansrieglhof, which is only a short distance further in the direction of Weiz.
After the well-deserved refreshment, we hike past the Breitegger Church again and march south - to St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Here we hike along the Breitegger Kreuzweg until, after about one kilometre, we turn sharply left towards Unterfladnitz to get back to our starting point.

Visit the peace grotto, baroque church, Stefanie spring and the blessing place for children
You will find refreshments in the numerous restaurants

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie. For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

There are a few parking spaces available at Gasthaus Heinzl.

Information about the region, places to stop and stay overnight, excursion destinations etc. can be found here:

Eastern Styria Tourist Board
Office St. Ruprecht an der Raab
Lower Main Street 27
8181 St. Ruprecht an der Raab
Tel. +43 664 2353414
www.oststeiermark.com
ruprecht@oststeiermark.com

Wheater

Find out about maps, hiking brochures and other tour tips at the tourist office.

You can also order information material on our website from the comfort of your own home.