With a distance of a good three kilometres, this hike is also well suited for children. As you start directly in front of the Schilcherland tourist office, it is essential that you get all the important first-hand information about this beautiful region and also get lots of tips about the numerous hiking opportunities through the home of the Schilcher.
Off you go in the direction of Deutschlandsberg Castle. Walk through the beautiful large avenue of trees to the railway tracks and cross them. Now walk along Klöpferweg, named after a local poet, and then turn left into Kapellenweg. The path leads you past the JUFA Hotel, which has its own bowling alley, inviting you to a fun round.
You will then reach the educational wine trail. Once in nature, you follow the Jakobiweg and while climbing the steps, you also take the time to examine the grapes along our path. These grapes are various fungus-resistant table grapes, so they are not sprayed and are there for the walkers to taste.
This gives you the necessary energy to easily manage the last steep metres up to Deutschlandsberg Castle. At the top you will be rewarded with the magnificent view over the surrounding countryside of Deutschlandsberg and the wonderful upscale cuisine of the castle restaurant. The interesting castle museum is now also waiting for you to visit.
Continue in the direction of Schlossweg to Gasthof Stöcklpeter, where typical delicacies await you. There you will find the Urbani Chapel, dedicated to the patron saint of winegrowers, St. Urban. Along the castle path, local noble grape varieties are described again and again. First and foremost the Blaue Wildbacher vine, from which the famous rosé-coloured Schilcher, the eponym of our region Schilcherland, is pressed. This type of vinification is unique in the world. Schilcher can only be found in Western Styria. The wine smells of strawberries and its crisp acidity makes it wonderfully refreshing.
The trail takes you past many different Buschenschänken and gastronomic establishments. Here you can taste numerous wines or make yourself comfortable in one of the many parlours. Also taste the homemade desserts, you won't regret it.
After the wine trail, turn right at the Schiller monument in the Stiftungspark. Follow the path downhill until you reach the Klöpferweg again. Keep left here and follow the Klöpferweg to the railway crossing. Then turn right into Ringweg. Walk up this path until an asphalt path branches off to the left to Schulgasse. Cross the Schulgasse and walk through the Straschek installation company to reach the starting point in the centre again.
Now you will not only feel good after the hike, you will hopefully have enjoyed the delicacies of the region and learned everything worth knowing about viticulture in Western Styria along the way. Why not take a few bottles home with you? A glass of wine will bring back memories of this beautiful hiking day in the home of the Schilcher.