Sankt Georgen: Church History and Hiking Trails

Sankt Georgen combines a long church history with hiking trails that include the village as a destination or waypoint. Two different approaches are helpful when planning: the branch church of St. Georgen am Gasenbach is central to the historical context, while the hiking descriptions identify specific starting points and waypoints. This allows you to consider the village’s history and the routes side by side when planning your stay.

The Branch Church and Local History

The Catholic branch church of St. Georgen am Gasenbach is closely connected with the history of Sankt Georgen and Koglhof. The parish of St. Georgen am Gasenbach is documented from 1295; until 1788, the church was the parish church of Koglhof. The dates mark different milestones: 1295 is when the parish is first documented, while 1788 marks the end of the church’s role as the parish church of Koglhof. Together, they provide a time frame for the village’s church history.

The history of settlement is also linked to the construction of the church. The church’s construction marked the beginning of land clearance and settlement in the municipal area of Koglhof and the upper Feistritz Valley. The first lessons for children in Koglhof were held at the rectory in Sankt Georgen. Different historical themes therefore converge here: the beginning of land clearance and settlement on the one hand, and early schooling on the other.

Another connection between Sankt Georgen and Koglhof is told by the unsigned “Schwarz” organ from the 18th century. Originally installed in the branch church of St. Georgen, it is now in the church in Koglhof. Its history thus encompasses both its former location in Sankt Georgen and its current one in Koglhof. In the Federal Monuments Authority entry dated 30 June 2025, the branch church and the former cemetery are listed together as protected by ordinance.

Hikes and Their Points of Interest

The Birkfeld–St. Georgen hike starts at the former railway station in Birkfeld and leads from there to Sankt Georgen and back to Birkfeld. Along the way, the route crosses the Gasenbach over a bridge. There is an opportunity to stop for refreshments at the Gasthaus Grünbichler in Sankt Georgen along the route. So this hike starts and ends in Birkfeld; the bridge over the Gasenbach and the place to stop for refreshments are specific points of interest along the way.

The Koglhof Genusswanderweg is described differently: it follows trail number 15 in the direction of Sankt Georgen. Along the Stations of the Cross, it descends to the village centre, the church, and then continues to the starting point at the summer toboggan run. The Genusswanderweg reaches Sankt Georgen, home to the oldest church in the upper Feistritz Valley. The church is therefore not only part of the village’s history, but also a named point of interest along the route.

You can distinguish between the routes for your hiking plans by their described points of interest: For Birkfeld–St. Georgen, the former railway station is named as the starting point, along with the return to Birkfeld and the bridge over the Gasenbach. The Koglhof Genusswanderweg follows the Stations of the Cross to the village centre and church, then continues to the starting point at the summer toboggan run. If you are considering Sankt Georgen as a place to stay, its church history and these different routes offer concrete points of reference to help you decide.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Ruprecht An Der Raab, Breitenau, Fladnitz An Der Teichalpe, Fischbach, Stenzengreith, Markt Hartmannsdorf, Brand, Passail.

For the overview of the wider region: Weiz.