Conrad Stein

Weststeirischer Jakobsweg

<p>Opened in 2010 by secular dignitaries and inaugurated by church dignitaries, the approx. 150 km long "West Styrian Way of St. James" begins in Thal near Graz in/near the Jakobskirche designed by Prof. Ernst Fuchs. In 8 scenically very different daily stages, it leads via the Church of St. James in Geistthal, the Barbara Church in Bärnbach designed by the artist Hundertwasser, the Lipizzaner stud farm in Piber, the pilgrimage church of Ma. Lankowitz, St. James' Church in Freiland, the pilgrimage church in Osterwitz, the 2,140 m high summit of the Großer Speikkogel (Koralpe) and St. James' Church in the hiking village of Soboth to Lavamünd in Carinthia.</p> <p>This incredibly varied trail offers culture, nature and spirituality in equal measure. But the most beautiful thing is the gentle and gradual transition from civilizational progress - the concrete hell and asphalt desert of the urban jungle - to more contemplative regions - forest, meadow, alpine pasture. During the first two stages, mind and soul are freed from toil, plague and myriad disturbing impressions and influences and can slowly spread out. During the third stage, beyond Köflach, the pilgrim/walker finally enters the cathedral of silence, peace, solitude and knowledge - forests and alpine pastures in the Styrian-Carinthian border region. You are truly alone here, no longer carrying any emotional baggage and can come to terms with yourself, break your own personal chains and overcome self-imposed boundaries. Furthermore, this path was created for this purpose - whether you are a pilgrim or a walker.