If you choose Wiel as your destination, you’ll find several specific starting points for an exploratory trip: the Sulm Waterfall, trails connected with Hans Kloepfer, and a stone sculpture commemorating his poem “Da Ruß.” Sankt Katharina in der Wiel also offers a small parish church, views as far as the Slovenian border, and amenities at the village square. These themes offer different points of focus. At the waterfall, the named trail connection matters; the Kloepfer trails link poems with places; and at the village square, there is a climbing tower for children and parking spaces for motorhomes. You can choose what to focus on depending on whether you’re most interested in nature, literature, or the village of Sankt Katharina.

Waterfall and Landscape

The Sulm Waterfall is in Wiel and can be reached via the Schmuckbauerweg. If you want to make this waterfall the focus of your visit, the trail connection is clear: the Schmuckbauerweg leads to it. The waterfall on the White Sulm is particularly noted for its unique shape, formed by gneiss, and its beauty. This nature-focused visit lets you take in both the named trail and the waterfall’s distinctive form.

Literature and Local History

A stone sculpture in Wiel commemorates the ballad “Da Ruß,” written by Dr. Hans Kloepfer in 1917. The memorial was unveiled in 1975. The dates mark different milestones: 1917 is the year of the poem, and 1975 the year the sculpture was unveiled. This distinguishes the poem’s literary origins from its later commemoration.

The small parish church in Sankt Katharina in der Wiel was built as early as the 15th century. The mountain church in Sankt Katharina in der Wiel offers views as far as the Slovenian border. The building’s history and the view offer different points of focus: one tells you about the history of the village, while the other looks out as far as the border.

Trails with Different Connections

The Hans Kloepfer Trail follows the two Kloepfer poems “Dahoam” to Laaken and “Da Ruß” to Wiel. Starting from Sankt Oswald, the Hans Kloepfer Trail follows the path of the “captured Ruß” into Wiel. The poem titles and place names give the trail a clear literary connection. There is also a hiking trail via Valenti in the direction of Sankt Katharina in der Wiel. You can distinguish between the routes when choosing: the Hans Kloepfer Trail focuses on poems and destinations, while the trail via Valenti heads toward Sankt Katharina.

The Village Square in Sankt Katharina in der Wiel

There is a small climbing tower for children at the village square. Since recreational facilities can change, check the current condition before your visit if the tower is important to your plans. The village square also has four parking spaces for motorhomes. Check their availability before you arrive. You can choose what’s relevant to you: the climbing tower is for children, and the parking spaces are for motorhomes.

Discover more destinations: Trog, Greisdorf, Lemsitz, Schwanberg, Lannach, Aug, Eibiswald, Deutschlandsberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Deutschlandsberg.