Neudorf im Sausal is the starting point for the Neudorf-Demmerkogel Circular Trail No. 22. From here, the scenic hike leads to the world’s largest Klapotetz, continues to the Demmerkogel observation tower and passes through the butterfly meadow. The Demmerkogel nature reserve, home to butterflies, and the village chapel, which is a protected monument, are also worth discovering. Hiking, nature and culture give you different ways to shape your choice of destination.

Hiking with clearly marked landmarks

The Neudorf-Demmerkogel Circular Trail No. 22 leads to the world’s largest Klapotetz on the Demmerkogel, in the municipality of St. Andrä-Höch. The Klapotetz is 17 metres high. The route continues to the Demmerkogel observation tower and also passes through the butterfly meadow. This gives the hike several clearly named landmarks: the Klapotetz, the observation tower and the meadow along the way. This combination is useful when choosing an outing if you are looking for a hike with several stops rather than just one destination. You can also make the tower or the Klapotetz a particular focus of the walk.

The viewing platform on the Demmerkogel is 24 metres high and can be reached by climbing 140 steps; the Austrian Alpine Club gave these measurements in 2024. Its height and number of steps provide a specific point of reference for your visit, alongside the hiking route. This lets you consider the route and its various landmarks separately from the climb to the platform when planning your outing.

Butterflies and the nature reserve

The Demmerkogel nature reserve is home to 51 butterfly species. More than 50 per cent of the butterflies found on the Demmerkogel are considered endangered. These figures shed light on different aspects: one counts butterfly species in the nature reserve, while the other describes the conservation status of the butterflies found on the Demmerkogel. The number of species and the assessment of their status are therefore not the same measure. Together, they give the nature theme a specific connection to the Demmerkogel; figures and assessments may, however, change as a result of future surveys.

Observation tower: access and visiting

The observation tower officially opened to visitors on 15 October 2023. There is no parking at the tower itself. A hiking trail leads to the observation tower from the car park below the world’s largest Klapotetz; the walk takes about 15 minutes. This time refers to the walk from the car park mentioned above and provides a specific indication of how to get there. For current visit planning, it is advisable to check the municipality’s notices, as conditions on site may change.

Village chapel and accommodation planning

The village chapel also adds a cultural highlight. It is protected as a monument under an ordinance and is listed in the Federal Monuments Authority Austria’s Styrian monument register dated 30 June 2025. So, alongside the hike’s nature and viewing spots, visitors can explore a protected monument in the village. If you are looking for a hotel in Neudorf im Sausal, the trail’s starting point is a specific reason to choose the village; the chapel adds another dimension to its character.

Discover more destinations: Glanz An Der Weinstraße, Spielfeld, Ragnitz, Gauitsch, Eckberg, Sankt Nikolai Im Sausal, Heimschuh, Gamlitz

For the broader travel overview: Leibnitz.