Zur St. Georgener Obstbaumallee

The St. Georgener Allee is a very special natural gem. For over three kilometres, hundreds of apple and pear trees accompany us through the gentle rolling hills. In spring, a sea of blossoms; in autumn, a paradise for cider lovers. The avenue is over 100 years old and tells a story of living tradition and respect for nature. Hikers enjoy wonderful views over the Trattnach valley and all the way to Tollet Castle. Benches along the way invite you to pause and relax. Those who wish can dive into the history of the region. An outing that beautifully combines nature, culture and relaxation.

The St. Georgener Allee is known as the longest fruit tree avenue in Austria. For about three kilometres along a ridge between Grieskirchen and the municipality of St. Georgen, hundreds of apple and pear trees line up – a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, combined with magnificent views over the rolling hills of the Hausruckviertel.

A pastor from Grieskirchen made this magnificent avenue possible. Around 100 years ago, he planted 450 pear trees on both sides of a field and meadow path, among which some younger apple trees have since mingled. The result is a fruit tree avenue of impressive length, unmatched anywhere else in the country. The old pear trees form a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. In spring, they unfold their full blossom splendour and in autumn, their crowns are full of ripe fruit for cider making.
The St. Georgener Allee is an impressive example of sustainable landscape management. Many of the trees have a long history and bear witness to a tradition of fruit cultivation in the region. They have been cared for and maintained over generations. Only for this reason can we enjoy their picturesque scenery today. The avenue is thus a living monument of agricultural culture and also reflects a respectful approach to nature.
A hike along the St. Georgener Allee offers a wonderful opportunity to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in the enchanting aesthetics of the old fruit trees. Photographers will find fascinating subjects here throughout the seasons – from a sea of white blossoms in spring, to the lush green of summer, and the vibrant colours of autumn. From the ridge, you are also rewarded with beautiful views of the Trattnach valley and Tollet Castle. Those interested in history can learn more about the noble family of the Jörgers, who ruled the region in the Middle Ages, from information boards.

Directions: We start this hike in the town centre of Grieskirchen, leave the town heading south, cross the Trattnach and walk through a settlement up to the Dreifaltigkeitskapelle (Trinity Chapel). Here begins the St. Georgener fruit tree avenue, and for the next three kilometres the path along the ridge through the aligned fruit trees is clearly defined. Benches and tables invite you to rest in the peace of nature and at beautiful viewpoints. At the end of the avenue, we descend to St. Georgen and choose the Teufelsgrabenweg (trail number 45) for the way back to Grieskirchen. We follow this a short distance towards Gallspach until we reach the Tirolerhof snack station. From here, it continues for about two kilometres along the Alpenblickweg (trail number 47) to a clear trail junction in the forest, from which it is not far down to our starting point in Grieskirchen.
Trail length: 11 km; Elevation gain: 150 m; Walking time: 3 hrs
Option: Of course, you can also simply hike back along the beautiful avenue and thus shorten the route by about four kilometres.
Tip: Visit the church in St. Georgen with its rare brick Gothic style in Austria. In Grieskirchen, the Renaissance Parz Castle is worth seeing, with its main wing decorated with unique frescoes from the Renaissance.
Refreshments: If you choose the recommended return via the Alpenblickweg, you can stop at the Tirolerhof snack station. Otherwise, the gastronomy in the town centre of Grieskirchen offers plenty of opportunities for a break.

This hike is from the book “Hausruckviertel aktiv, Wandern – Entdecken – Genießen” by Andreas Mühlleitner.