A dated Last Judgment fresco, a hike of several hours to an alpine pasture, and several climbing and cycling options offer different highlights for a trip to Sankt Jakob-Breitenau. If you prefer to plan culture and outdoor activities separately, you can consider the church, a hike and the sports activities as independent options. There are also specific details on the time and elevation gain for the Hofbauer Alm loop.
Church and town center
The branch church of St. James the Elder was consecrated in 1400 and forms the town center of Sankt Jakob. Its Last Judgment fresco dates from 1460/70. It depicts Christ as Judge of the World, surrounded by saints. The consecration and the fresco therefore belong to different historical periods: the painting is dated significantly later than the church’s consecration. This clearly identified subject offers a specific cultural point of interest during your stay.
Hiking the Hofbauer Alm loop
The marked Hofbauer Alm loop starts in the center of St. Jakob in Breitenau am Hochlantsch. It leads through shady forests and extensive alpine meadows. The route is 15.8 kilometers long; walking time is 5:30 hours, with 890 meters of elevation gain. Taken together, these details help you assess the scope of the hike: the walking time provides a specific framework for planning your day, while the elevation gain supplements the route length. Starting in the town center provides a clear point of departure for the hike.
Climbing and cycling
The Franz Scheikl via ferrata is a secured climbing route on the Hochlantsch. At 1,722 meters, this is the highest peak in the Grazer Bergland. The climbing garden in Klammgraben is also available to recreational climbers. If you are planning a climbing activity, you can choose between the via ferrata on the Hochlantsch and the climbing garden in Klammgraben.
For cycling, the challenging “Drachentour” mountain bike route in the Almenland Nature Park circles the Hochlantsch, passes the Teichalmsee and goes through the center of St. Jakob. It is 41.4 kilometers long. Seasonal access can change, so check the conditions for your planned dates before setting out. Compared with the Hofbauer Alm loop, the planning considerations here are different: the Alm loop is described in terms of walking time and elevation gain, while the Drachentour is described as a challenging mountain bike route with a specified length.
Another hiking option is the “Bärenschützklamm to Breitenau, Mixnitz” route. It can also be started at the Zirbisegger parking lot in St. Jakob and walked in the opposite direction. This route therefore explicitly offers a starting option in St. Jakob.
Swimming and ice skating
The Breitenau am Hochlantsch indoor swimming pool offers swimming lessons for children led by a state-certified swimming instructor. It also has an outdoor pool for children. This means you can choose between instructor-led lessons and an outdoor pool as two different aquatic activities.
The Breitenau/H. ice rink is in the center of St. Jakob and covers approximately 1,200 square meters. Seasonal facility details can change, so check the latest information before your visit. The area is approximate, but it gives you a specific sense of the size of the ice rink for planning purposes.
Discover more destinations: Turnau, Aflenz Land, Sankt Ilgen, Thörl, Etmißl, Sankt Lorenzen im Mürztal, Graßnitz, Gußwerk.
Back to the overview of the wider area: Bruck An Der Mur.
