Limberg Castle Circular Hiking Trail Nr. 3
Characteristics
SkillThe tour in numbers
Level of difficulty
medium
Route
8,2 km
Time
3:00 h
Uphill
400 hm
Downhill
400 hm
Highest point
798 m
The centerpiece of this circular route is the historically significant Limberg Castle. A varied hike for nature and culture enthusiasts.
The foothills of the Koralpe are a charming hiking area. Not quite as imposing as the main mountain range, but already situated in a scenic location. Steep climbs alternate constantly with small plateaus and clearings. New and surprising geographical features appear again and again. Even without visiting the castle, there is plenty to admire on this route, such as the magnificent statue of St. John of Nepomuk at the fork in the path below Limberg Castle.
The ideal starting point is the large parking lot at the Schwanberg farmyard. The Limberg Castle circular hiking trail 3 begins at the bridge over the Schwarze Sulm river and initially follows the mountain road for a short distance before branching off to the right. This forest path leads to St. John's Chapel and then reaches a fork at a crossroads. Here, our route turns sharply right and follows a sunken lane. Passing the picturesque Buttersackl Chapel, the path rejoins the mountain road, which continues uphill. We hike along this road until we reach a marked junction to the left. We leave the road and walk through a beautiful mixed forest, cross the highest point (798 m), and reach the Eckweber farmstead. From there, the path leads downhill to the left through the steep forest, crosses a forest road, and leads to Limberg Castle. The route continues along the access road to an impressive religious statue. At this point, the trail merges with Route 37 (St. Peter), turning left along a meadow path and later through the forest into the settlement of Schwanberg. Shortly before reaching the Schwarze Sulm river, we turn left again and follow the river back to the parking lot.
The ideal starting point is the large parking lot at the Schwanberg farmyard. The Limberg Castle circular hiking trail 3 begins at the bridge over the Schwarze Sulm river and initially follows the mountain road for a short distance before branching off to the right. This forest path leads to St. John's Chapel and then reaches a fork at a crossroads. Here, our route turns sharply right and follows a sunken lane. Passing the picturesque Buttersackl Chapel, the path rejoins the mountain road, which continues uphill. We hike along this road until we reach a marked junction to the left. We leave the road and walk through a beautiful mixed forest, cross the highest point (798 m), and reach the Eckweber farmstead. From there, the path leads downhill to the left through the steep forest, crosses a forest road, and leads to Limberg Castle. The route continues along the access road to an impressive religious statue. At this point, the trail merges with Route 37 (St. Peter), turning left along a meadow path and later through the forest into the settlement of Schwanberg. Shortly before reaching the Schwarze Sulm river, we turn left again and follow the river back to the parking lot.
Best season
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
More information
From Graz, take the A2 motorway towards Klagenfurt until the "Lieboch" exit. Continue on the B76 to Deutschlandsberg and Bad Schwanberg.
Ein idealer Ausgangspunkt ist der große Parkplatz beim Wirtschaftshof Schwanberg. Der Schloss Limberg Rundwanderweg 3 beginnt bei der Brücke über die Schwarze Sulm und folgt für ein kurzes Stück der Bergstraße bis zur nächsten Abzweigung nach rechts. Dieser Waldweg führt zur nahen Johanneskapelle und dann zu einer Gabelung bei einem Wegkreuz. Hier zweigt unsere Route steil nach rechts ab und folgt einem Hohlweg. An der stimmungsvollen Buttersacklkapelle vorbei mündet der Weg bald wieder in die bergaufwärtsführende Bergstraße ein. Nun geht es gemütlich entlang der Straße bis zur markierten Abzweigung nach links. Wir verlassen die Straße und wandern durch einen schönen Mischwald über den höchsten Punkt hinweg (798 m) zum Gehöft Eckweber. Dort zweigt der Abstieg nach links ab und verläuft durch den steilen Wald, einen Forstweg querend, zum Schloss Limberg. Die weitere Route folgt der Zufahrt bis zu einer ausdrucksvollen Heiligenfigur. Hier führt der Weg zugleich mit der Route 37 (St. Peter) nach links über den Wiesenpfad, später dann durch Wald, in das Siedlungsgebiet von Schwanberg. Vor der Schwarzen Sulm zweigen wir noch einmal nach links ab und folgen dem Fluss bis zum Parkplatz.
Visit the Bad Schwanberg monastery church before or at the end of your hike!
Many starting points for our hikes in southern Styria can also be reached by public transport.
For a relaxed and sustainable journey, we recommend travelling by bus and train wherever possible. Depending on the region, additional local transport options are available.
This allows you to start your tour stress-free while also contributing to climate and nature conservation.
All information on public transport,
local mobility services and timetables can be found at: www.suedsteiermark.com/arrival
The nearest railway station is in Bad Schwanberg.
Bad Schwanberg - Farmyard
Information offices:
Bad Schwanberg Tourist Office, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730 610, 8541 Bad Schwanberg, Hauptplatz 1
South Styria Tourist Association, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, Hauptplatz 40