Opening Ceremony of the Long-Distance Hiking Trail ‘Seven Elements – The Path’ in the Nature and UNESCO Global Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

"Seven Elements – The Path" ceremoniously opened in the Gesäuse
New spiritual long-distance hiking trail in the Nature & Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

At a press conference on the 27^th September 2025, the Seven Elements Path, a new spiritual long-distance hiking trail through all four nature park municipalities – from Altenmarkt to Wildalpen – was officially opened. This cooperation between the Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen, the Pastoral Care Area Eisenwurzen, and the Gesäuse Tourism Association combines hiking and enjoyment of nature with mindful reflection and spiritual exploration across 7 stages, 126 km, and 6,100 meters of elevation gain.

The new Seven Elements Path leads in seven days through the Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen, connecting the municipalities of Altenmarkt, Landl, Sankt Gallen, and Wildalpen. The landscape offers space for peace, contemplation, and renewal. In air, fire, earth, and water, the human being, time, and spirit are reflected – forming the seven elements – and their connection can be experienced along the way. Wayside crosses, shrines, and churches give the trail depth and invite hikers to consciously pause and reflect.

Oliver Gulas-Wöhri, Managing Director of the Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen:

“Many thanks to everyone involved in realizing this long-distance hiking trail. For me personally, it is a model project where the entire region was and continues to be significantly involved – tourism, the pastoral care area, local residents young and old, municipalities, landowners, and alpine associations. May this trail offer everyone a spiritual and walkable nature park experience.”

Preserving valuable cultural heritage

Loretta Kain from the Pastoral Care Area Eisenwurzen:

“Through the close cooperation between the pastoral care area and the Nature and Geopark, a special idea has become reality: for the first time in the nature park region, over 300 Christian small monuments have been mapped, documented, and thematically prepared. This not only preserves a valuable cultural asset but also makes it accessible for future generations and experienceable along the long-distance trail.”

Jaqueline Egger, Managing Director of the Gesäuse Tourism Association:

“A long-distance hiking trail that not only connects the places of the Eisenwurzen but also nature, culture, and people – that is a flagship project! It strengthens local value creation and shows that tourism can go hand in hand with culture, the church, municipalities, and residents. That’s why we are very happy to support this project: because it fits who we are, it connects us, and it creates something unique that makes the Styrian Eisenwurzen even more tangible.”

The travel guide accompanying the long-distance trail includes, in addition to the description of each stage, questions for reflection, Bible verses, and space for personal notes.

Inquiries about the Seven Elements Path:
Martin Gebeshuber, Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen
Tel. +43 664 13 38 236
m.gebeshuber@eisenwurzen.com
www.siebenelemente-derweg.at
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