From the "Villa Rustica" to the Hausberg sunny side

Name: From the 'Villa Rustica' to the Hausberg sunny side
Brand: Steiermark
Rating: 4 (2 reviews)

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This tour is a round trip in the middle of Eastern Styria, the so-called "Garden of Austria". The sunny side of Löffelbach rising fields, are located on the "local mountain".

The fields rising from Löffelbach on the sunny side are located on the "Hausberg", as the graceful terrain is called. The well-preserved foundation walls of the "Villa Rustica" excavated on the outskirts of Löffelbach are of great interest. The excavations are an archaeological peculiarity and count among the historically most important cultural assets in Styria. The foundations date back to a Roman country residence in the style of a palatial peristyle villa with porticoes from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

Neuberg Castle is one of the most important preserved fortified buildings in Styria. It is located at the foot of the Ringkogel . This medieval high castle was built in the 12th century as a border fortress or "battle castle" against the feared Hungarian hosts and against all kinds of "heathen vermin" from the East. A square keep about 36 meters high with the palace is the oldest part of the complex. The castle is privately owned and not open to the public.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

9,9 km

Route

2:50 h

Time

252 hm

Uphill

252 hm

Downhill

580 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

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More information

erreichbar über die Südautobahn A2 Ausfahrt Hartberg
in Hartberg den Wegweisern richtung Innenstadt/Zentrum folgen

Hartberg, Hauptplatz

From the main square along Preßlgasse to the intersection (parking deck / Brühlgasse), left along the castle wall up Brühlgasse to the intersection. Turn straight ahead into Dr. Friedrich-Niederl-Straße until you reach Löffelbach Ortsmitte,
from here follow the signs to the Roman estate. Paths lead uphill on the sunny side to the road that leads to Neuberg Castle,
from the castle along the road uphill and past a quenching pond to the first fork; here turn left downhill to the second fork in front of house no. 224. Now either continue on asphalt downhill (but with an informative view of Neuberg Castle) or keep to the right, on a corridor path, around a small rise and a little shortcut downhill to the next one,
i.e. from the castle so far third fork. Here keep to the right. Follow the level high road (old blue color markers are visible), reach first a high seat at the edge of the forest and then soon the fourth fork; at it a sign points in the direction of Löffelberg. However, turn left and follow the descending farm road to its end at house no. 95. From here, descend on a field path, immediately keeping left again,
on a forest road (sign: "Privatweg - Einfahrt verboten") downhill and after a few hairpin bends to a road; finally over a bridge to the asphalt road. Follow this road for a few minutes inland to the information board in Löffelbach and back to Hartberg.

The excavation area at Villa Rustica is freely accessible throughout the year.At Neuberg Castle, groups can visit the chapel; visits are possible by appointment.

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.

For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.