Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday):
Arrival in Feldbach

Welcome and tour information in the evening. Our tip: visit the mighty fortress Riegersburg with bird-of-prey show, original Renaissance hall (about 1600), fortress museum and witch museum.

Day 2 (Sunday):
Feldbach to Riegersburg to Fehring, 7.5 miles (12 km)

After breakfast short transfer to Riegersburg. Possibility to visit the fortress, if you have not done so the day before. Walk on solitary paths across a low ridge, through forests and meadows with stunning views over fertile plains. Walking down into flat Raabtal valley, past castle Hantberg you cross the tiny village of Johnsdorf. Cross the flat valley of the river Raab to Fehring where you will stay overnight. In autumn yellow pumpkins lie about and wait to be harvested for their pumpkin seeds.

Day 3 (Monday):
Fehring – Kalch, 8 miles (13 km)

Today you walk mainly through large oak and beech forests to castle Kapfenstein. Here you can visit the Geotrail, surrounding the castle and pointing out geological formations of the old volcano crater (about 2 km). The castle commands a high situation above the surroundings. Enjoy some refreshments on the fantastic terrace before continuing your walk to Kalch, a typical Austrian village on the border of Slovenia.

Day 4 (Tuesday):
Kalch to Deutsch Haseldorf/Klöch, 8 miles (13 km)

"Achtung Staatsgrenze!" - these signs once marked the Iron Curtain between Yugoslavia and Austria. Today a hiking path accesses unspoilt nature and a historic border-stone erected to mark Austrian territory after the Treaty of St. Germain and also the earlier Maria Theresian Stone. Stroll through scented elderberry plantations, green meadows and light forests to St. Anna am Aigen. The Styrian Vinothek invites to taste regional wines. But take care as there is still a way to! On cycle path R12 you walk downhill to join the Slovenian border. On solitary customs-paths you walk along side the Kutschenitza stream to Deutsch-Haselfdorf/Klöch. Feel welcome by the friendly hosts, relax with a massage or at the swimming pool. A lovely glass of crisp Styrian Welschriesling or Traminer wine ends a colourful day.

Day 5 (Wednesday):
Deutsch Haseldorf to Straden, 9 miles (14 km)

Walk on comfortable paths through beech forests along the summit of Konigsberg. This old volcano was already dormant in pre-historic times. Have a look into the volcano at a deep gap called "Basaltspalte" . Then you walk down to the vineyards of Tieschen. The local saint was honoured with a modern statue made of sheet-metal. St. Francis and the wolf guard the Franciscan abbey. Continue walking past Roman barrows to the idyllic vineyards of Rosenberg. Past lovingly tended small wine-grower huts and many "Buschenschanken" (take your time to enjoy the homemade food and wines) you walk down into the valley. The three churches of Straden sitting on a steep hill can be seen as you approach. Before getting there a last treat waits to be discovered: Bulldogwirt – a passionate collector of commodities and utensils – filled his inn brimful with nostalgica.

Day 6 (Thursday):
Straden to Bad Gleichenberg, 7.5 miles (12 km)

A short transfer back to the highest point of Rosenberg and from there you start your walk again. A short way to the highest point of Stradener Kogel and, if you have a good head for heights, climb the view tower with views far into Slovenia and on clear days even to Croatia and Hungary. Down through Devil’s Gorge you walk past an assembly of witches, up and down to “Waltra Rocks”. Large basalt rocks tumbled down helter-skelter due to the immense geological pressure of the volcano. Under the rocks a bronze-age settlement has been buried. Continue to Bad Gleichenberg, where you can relax your tired legs in the thermal water.

Day 7 (Friday):
Bad Gleichenberg surroundings

Take a comfortable walk in light forests, through the park, past idyllic old villas and hotels dating back to the 19th century. Or why not relax in the thermal spa? Enjoy the local cuisine, from stylish restaurants to smal "Buschenschanken".

Day 8 (Saturday):
Departure from Bad Gleichenberg

Time to make your way holme or to extend your holiday in Graz, European cultural capital of 2003.