Gschnaidt: The Way of St. James, chapels and the Ruamkirtag

In Gschnaidt, the Styrian Way of St. James is a specific starting point for outdoor activity. Historic religious buildings and the Ruamkirtag in St. Pankrazen add further highlights. This offers different ways to shape your stay: outdoor activity, regional history or a trip during a traditional festival. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide which of these occasions you want to define your days.

Hiking the Way of St. James

The Styrian Way of St. James reaches St. Pankrazen/Gschnaidt from the Stiwollgraben after a 1.4-kilometre ascent along a forest track. This describes a specific section, including its starting point, direction and surface. From St. Pankrazen, the Way of St. James continues towards Geistthal along a paved road. The route details therefore distinguish between the ascending forest track and the paved continuation. When planning, you can use the section you actually intend to walk as a guide. Check the current condition of the route before setting out. There are also panoramic views around St. Pankrazen, adding a scenic highlight to the specific route.

Chapels and history

The cemetery chapel of St. Anne was built in 1497; St. Pankrazen Parish Church has been documented since 1365. The dates refer to different things: 1497 is the chapel’s year of construction, while 1365 is the year from which the church is documented. This makes it possible to compare two historical references without treating the construction date and the date of documentary evidence as equivalent. Spierskapelle is in the municipality of Gschnaidt, on the way towards St. Pankrazen. There is a bench in front of the chapel where you can take a break. If you plan to stop there, check beforehand whether the bench is available for use.

Ruamkirtag and regional cuisine

The Ruamkirtag in St. Pankrazen is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in October; the entire Gschnaidt district takes part in the harvest festival. This tradition gives your trip planning a seasonal focus. If you want to plan your stay around the occasion, check the current event dates in advance. The Schwaiger Inn in Gschnaidt is known for traditional Austrian cuisine made with regional ingredients. If you would like to eat there, check in advance whether it is currently open and what is on offer.

Choosing the right holiday apartment

When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth starting with your travel plans. If you want the Way of St. James to shape your stay, focus on your preferred section; if the chapels and parish church are your main interest, take their locations into account. If you also want to include the Ruamkirtag, you can consider the festival date as a separate planning factor. Mark the places you actually plan to visit on a map and compare the accommodation’s location with your plan. This way, you can focus your search on the routes and places that matter for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Hart, Laßnitzhöhe, Premstätten, Seiersberg, Lieboch, Gratkorn, Sankt Radegund bei Graz, Sankt Peter

Return to the overview of the wider area: Graz-Umgebung.