Hiking in Schilcherland:

Discover the beauty of southern Styria by foot

Schilcherland in south-western Styria not only offers excellent wines and culinary delights, but also countless hiking opportunities. The rolling hills, idyllic forests and flowering meadows make Schilcherland a paradise for hikers.

Hiking routes and tips:

The small Hochgrail circular rout

Difficulty: easy | Distance: 5.4 km | Duration: 1:40 h

This family-friendly walk stretches over five and a half kilometers and offers many opportunities to experience the culinary delights of the region. The impressive views of the vineyards of Western Styria will stay with you for a long time as you hike through the special area around St. Stefan ob Stainz.

Tour:

You start directly from your steiRerBLiCke vacation home or at the Schilcherland parking lot in St. Stefan ob Stainz and leave everyday life behind you. The hiking trail marked S10 takes you across the main square, through flowering meadows and quiet forest sections to a romantic ruined mill, where you can take a break and take souvenir photos.

The trail continues through a beautiful, peaceful forest, past chestnut trees to Kastanienhof Klug, also known as “Pletteri”. Here you can stop off and enjoy a glass of wine. In autumn, the farm offers roasted chestnuts and Schilchersturm – a classic West Styrian treat.

Enjoy the fantastic view over the vineyards of Western Styria. Continue to the Hochgrailstraße and then left down to the Buschenschank Hiden, vlg. “Höllerhansl”, for a snack and a refreshing spritzer.

After refreshments, continue your hike on the path marked S9. At the edge of the forest, you have the opportunity to take a souvenir photo with Archduke Johann and his beloved Anna Plochl. The trail then leads past the St. Stefan cemetery back to the starting point.

Schilcher Cellar Hike: “From Alpine Pastures to Wine”

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 10.4 km | Duration: approx. 3 hours

A route for all ages: While you sample the delicious Schilcher wine and explore the many wine cellars along the way, children will be delighted by the enchanting Märchensee (Fairy Tale Lake).

Tour:

This route offers a fairytale-like hike to a picturesque lake and inviting culinary stops that encourage you to linger and enjoy. Start in the spa park of Bad Gams and admire the vibrant display of flowers. The trail then leads you through Furth to Niedergams, where you’ll reach the highest point of the hike.

Along the way, cozy Buschenschanken invite you to take a break—whether soaking up the sunshine outdoors or relaxing inside by the traditional tiled stove. Try delicious breads, hearty Brettljausen, and fresh salads drizzled with pumpkin seed oil.

Visit the Schilcherkeller of the Farmer-Rebensteiner family and enjoy a tasting of the region’s signature Schilcher wine. Continue on to the Strunz Weaving Mill, followed by a stop at the Märchensee (Fairy Tale Lake), where children can play and listen to enchanting stories.

Follow a forest and meadow path to reach the Fisch-Buschenschank run by Toni Peter, where you can enjoy fish specialties freshly prepared from the Märchensee.

After a relaxing break, the trail continues to Niedergams and then to the Nymphenweiher, where a biodiversity nature trail offers fascinating insights into the local flora and fauna. From there, the route leads to Weinerlebnis Deutsch-Maier and Weinbau Petschnegg, where you can further explore and taste the region’s wine culture.

End your tour at the Gamser Winzerstube and enjoy one last break surrounded by West Styrian charm and hospitality before heading back to Bad Gams.

Wine Education Trail

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3.4 km | Duration: approx. 1h 45min

On this tour, you’ll not only learn everything about the region’s iconic Schilcher wine – you’ll also get to taste it along the way.

Tour:

This hike, covering a total distance of about three kilometers, is ideal for families with children. Start directly in front of the Schilcherland Tourism Office, where you’ll find helpful information about the region and tips for additional hikes. The trail leads to Deutschlandsberg Castle via a picturesque tree-lined avenue and the Klöpferweg, passing by the JUFA Hotel, which even has its own bowling alley.

The trail continues along the Wine Education Path, where you can sample fungus-resistant table grapes along the Jakobiweg – a sweet energy boost for the short climb up to Deutschlandsberg Castle. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views, fine dining at the castle restaurant, and a fascinating visit to the castle museum.

Follow the Schlossweg to Gasthof Stöcklpeter, where traditional regional dishes are served, and don’t miss a visit to the Urbanikapelle, dedicated to Saint Urban, the patron saint of winemakers. On your way back, you’ll discover local grape varieties along the Schlossweg – especially the Blauer Wildbacher grape, which is used to produce the region’s famous Schilcher wine.

The trail passes by several traditional Buschenschanken and inns, where you can sample local wines and homemade desserts.

After completing the Wine Education Trail, turn right at the Schiller Monument, follow the path to the Klöpferweg, and return to the starting point in the town center via the Ringweg and Schulgasse.