Pirkhof-Loop Trail

The starting and ending point of this short loop hike is the Schilcherland parking lot in St. Stefan, across from the school complex. Trail S6 passes the school toward the carpentry shop, turns left briefly there, and then heads right down into the forest. You cross a small footbridge over the Zirknitzbach stream through the sawmill grounds to the municipal road and continue a short distance along the edge of the forest to the dog training area. There, another small footbridge crosses the Pirkhofbach stream, after which you continue to the right. You cross a little-used country road and hike slightly uphill into the forest. Still following the S6 markings, you walk along a shaded forest road, then follow the red-white-red markings slightly downhill over a dirt path and a short stretch of paved road back uphill. There, at the Pirkhofs Genussmanufaktur, you’ll find an opportunity to rest and grab a bite to eat. The trail continues to the left along the road marked S3 toward Gundersdorf for about 100 m to a bus stop. Here, follow the signpost and turn left, taking the meadow path through the forest, crossing two streams, and then a short climb. Then turn right and shortly afterward branch off to the left. At the signpost, follow the S4 along the stream back to the dog training area, from where the S4 and S6 lead back to the starting point.