Stage 22 From Glacier to Wine South Route Remschnigg - Leutschach

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 16,4 km

Time 5:30 h

Uphill 426 hm

Downhill 707 hm

Highest point 854 m

A scenic stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine, leading directly into the heart of the South Steiermark Nature Park.The route initially follows the Styrian-Slovenian border to the famous pilgrimage church of Sveti Duh, one of the most distinctive landmarks in this cross-border region. From there, the trail continues towards Leutschach, either alongside or, alternatively, through the beautiful Heiligengeist Gorge, offering a varied hiking experience amid forests, vineyards, and rolling hills.With its magnificent scenery and close connection to the cultural and natural heritage of southern Steiermark, this stage provides a wonderful introduction to the landscapes of the South Steiermark Nature Park.

Alongside the Altenbach Gorge, the Heiligengeist Gorge is another natural gem of the South Steiermark Nature Park. The route between Leutschach and the pilgrimage church of Sveti Duh on the Slovenian side is both spectacular and idyllic, while also being rich in local history and fascinating stories.

As this stage follows a downhill route and the paths within the gorge can become slippery, particularly after rainfall, the main route description follows the alternative trail east of the gorge. This variant leads past traditional Buschenschänken, historic mills, and picturesque cultural landscapes, offering an equally rewarding hiking experience while providing a safer option in wet conditions.

Those who choose to explore the gorge itself will be rewarded with a unique natural setting of forested slopes, rushing water, and impressive rock formations in one of the most beautiful gorges of southern Steiermark.

Best season

January

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More information

Detailed information on how to get to xxx can be found here.

Magnificent views across the Styrian and Slovenian wine country accompany the start of this stage. The Scherschenhof of the Tertinek family (Tel. +43 3455 6461), with its holiday apartments, herb tavern, must tavern, and farm shop, provides a fitting introduction to the culinary richness of the region. To the south-east, the pilgrimage church of Sveti Duh can already be seen in the distance, marking the next highlight along the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.

The route continues along the border past the Hartmann family farm and the historic Oberguess Winery, which was first mentioned in documents in 1495. A descending country road leads to the Postl Buschenschank (vlg. Dobay) (Tel. +43 3454 6581), where the trail turns right and climbs steeply through a forest to a small but historically significant settlement.

Here, a border stone bearing the inscription "St. Germain 10 Sept. 1919" serves as a reminder of the border demarcation established after the First World War and remains an important witness to the region's turbulent history.

Shortly afterwards, we reach Sveti Duh, whose church, located largely on Slovenian territory, enjoys magnificent views across the surrounding vineyards. When the border between the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was drawn in 1919, the parish of Heiligengeist was divided. One part remained in Austria and became part of the parish of Leutschach, while the other was assigned to Yugoslavia. Today, the church is a popular pilgrimage destination. Every year on Pentecost Sunday, a major pilgrimage festival takes place, featuring both Slovenian- and German-language services.

The route then continues eastwards, crossing the road that connects Leutschach with the border region before reaching the southernmost point of Steiermark. Here, we leave the Border Panorama Trail, turn left, and begin the gentle descent towards Leutschach, the stage destination.

Initially, the trail passes through woodland, but vineyards soon become increasingly prominent companions. Running parallel to the route is the Heiligengeist Gorge, known for its historic mills, including the Spitz Mill, which we also pass. Located at the entrance to the gorge when approaching from Leutschach, the mill is a reconstructed show watermill built according to historical plans.

The final two kilometres lead directly into Leutschach, the centre of South Steiermark's hop-growing region and one of the most important wine-growing communities in southern Steiermark. In addition to its many inns, taverns, and wine estates, the Wine Gallery, housed in the former town hall, offers visitors an opportunity to discover, taste, and purchase wines from the region.

In Leutschach, hikers can choose between continuing along Stage 23 of the main route or following the alternative route directly to Leibnitz, the final destination of the southern section of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.

In the Thermen- & Vulkanland region of Styria, Eastern Styria and Southern and Western Styria, the GenussCard opens the door to over 200 excursion destinations when you stay overnight in one of the approximately 100 GenussCard partner establishments. Countless of these GenussCard excursion destinations, ranging from culinary manufactories to bathing lakes and museums, are located directly on the hiking route "From Glacier to Wine".

Detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Parking is available at the Scherschenhof near the Remschniggalm.

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com

Kompass WK224 Steirisches Weinland- Stainz, Sausal, Sulmtal, Leibnitz www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK411 Steirisches Weinland · Südwest Steiermark www.freytagberndt.at