Kaskögerl track (Kaskögerlweg) - Poppendorf/Gnas

We start directly at the parking lot behind the Binderhansl inn and walk slightly uphill along the edge of the forest. After a few minutes we already reach the first station with information boards and a resting place. Slightly downhill we walk along meadow and forest paths, past farms and further across fields and forests until we reach a small pond at the bottom of the valley. From now on we walk along the brook, past a barn with old agricultural equipment and continue to Poppendorf. Passing the sports ground and the playground, we continue along the through road until we turn right in the direction of Poppendorf Castle. We go over the road bridge and immediately left along the stream. The path leads over wooden bridges, past resting places and information boards, before it continues slightly uphill through the forest again. We pass a few houses and keep to the right, continuing slightly uphill, until we branch off to Poppendorf Castle. After the short detour to Poppendorf Castle, we go back to the turnoff and then turn right across the fields downhill and through the woods uphill again. Along the edge of the forest, with beautiful views, the hiking trail leads us to the rest area Sandstöckl. At this small neat little house you will find a self-service possibility in the cellar. Immediately afterwards, the trail continues through the forest and past vineyards. In the distance you can see the Frutten-Gieselsdorf lookout. The trail continues through orchards to the farm of the Haas fruit farm. Here we also have the possibility of self-service and a cozy resting place. Now we go on an asphalt road slightly downhill to the crossing, then on the gravel road slightly uphill, passing by the wayside shrine. Soon we come back to an asphalt road, which we follow continuously until we have to pay attention to the turnoff to the left at a sparsely populated area. We leave the road and follow the path across farmland and woodland. Leisurely we go along until we go downhill over a few wooden steps and in succession we pass on a wooden footbridge next to an outcrop of the Kaskögerl crater. The display boards inform about the rock and the history of its formation. Now a few more meters downhill over steps and we reach the edge of the forest, which we follow to the right and after a short time we reach our starting point again.

• Ambulance: 144
• European emergency call: 112

Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within reach in a side pocket. All the things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top. An emergency kit, including blister plasters, belongs in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress in layers.

Take the regional train from Bad Gleichenberg to Gnas and from there change directly to the beautiful hiking trail.

Detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at  www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Einkehrmöglichkeiten in Gnas und Poppendorf

• Gasthaus Catering Kurzweil, Tel.: +43 664 9952 1244, 8342 Gnas 19, www.gasthaus-kurzweil.at
• Cafe-Konditorei Wagner, Tel.: +43 3151 2248, 8342 Gnas 17, www.cafe-wagner.at
• Pizzeria Gnas, Tel.: +43 664 201 8150, 8342 Gnas, Hauptplatz 12
• Schlosstaverne Schloss Poppendorf, Tel.: +43 3151 2555, 8342 Gnas, www.schlosspoppendorf.at
• Gasthaus Binderhansl, Tel.: +43 3151 2365, 8342 Gnas, Katzendorf 39, www.gasthaus-binderhansl.at
• Selbstbedienungsstationen (Getränke und etwas für den kleinen Hunger) entlang des Weges (Sportplatz Poppendorf und Obstbau Haas).
• Buschenschank Fink, Tel.: +43 3151 2657,  8342 Gnas, Ebersdorf 20

Tourist Office Thermen- und Vulkanland
Gästeinfo Bad Gleichenberg
Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Str. 1/top 4
8344 Bad Gleichenberg
Tel: +43 3382 55 100-44
badgleichenberg@thermen-vulkanland.at
www.thermen-vulkanland.at

Volcanic Land Hiking Map "Man & Nature" 1:500.000Styrian Volcanic Country Tel. +43 (0)3152/8575-710 www.spuren.at

freytag & berndt WK 412 Southeast Styrian Hills, Volcanic Country, Bad Gleichenberg, Bad Radkersburg

Kompass hiking guide "Styrian Volcano Country - On the trail of the volcanoes". Descriptions, route maps and elevation profiles ISBN 978-3-85026-096-1 www.kompass.at