Stage 35 From Glacier to Wine North Route Klöch - Bad Radkersburg

On the Way in the Land of Traminer. A special sense of fulfilment accompanies us on this final stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine. After completing 34 daily stages, today marks the last chapter of a journey that has led from the glaciers of the Dachstein to the vineyards of southeastern Steiermark. Fittingly, the route seems determined to reward all the effort invested along the way. The terrain is gentle, the distances manageable, and the landscape invites us to savour every remaining kilometre. Rather than presenting new challenges, this final stage offers time to reflect on the experiences, encounters, and landscapes that have shaped the journey. Our starting point, the wine-growing village of Klöch, is one of the most important wine centres in the Thermen- & Vulkanland region and is particularly renowned for its highly aromatic Traminer wines. Having already enjoyed the village's hospitality the evening before, we set off once more through a landscape shaped by vineyards, rolling hills, and volcanic soils. Our destination is Bad Radkersburg, one of the most beautiful historic towns in southeastern Austria and one of the leading thermal spa destinations in the Alpine region. With its well-preserved old town, elegant squares, and renowned thermal spa, it provides a fitting and memorable conclusion to a remarkable long-distance hiking journey.

Along this final stage, we encounter numerous wayside crosses, many of them strikingly tall and characteristic of the border region. For long stretches, the route follows the border with Slovenia, where it is easy to be surprised by the modest size of the Kutschenitza (Kučnica in Slovenian). Despite being little more than a small stream, it forms the international border between Austria and Slovenia for around 20 kilometres.

Border houses and former customs buildings near the crossings serve as reminders of the region's complex history and its former role as a frontier between states and cultures. From Goritz bei Radkersburg, the route continues directly towards Bad Radkersburg, the final destination of the northern route.

A short detour through the town cemetery offers a particularly moving insight into the history of this border region. The bilingual gravestone of the priest Mathias Nemec stands as a symbol of the close cultural and linguistic ties between the German- and Slovenian-speaking communities that have shaped the region for centuries.

Arriving in the historic old town of Bad Radkersburg, the journey finally comes to an end. Narrow romantic alleyways, elegant arcaded courtyards, and inviting cafés create a distinctive atmosphere and provide a fitting setting for the conclusion of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.

If time allows, there is no better way to celebrate the completion of the trail than with a visit to the renowned thermal spa. The mineral-rich thermal water of Bad Radkersburg is valued for its relaxing and revitalising properties and offers welcome recovery after many days of hiking. It soothes tired muscles, promotes mobility, and provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on an unforgettable journey from the glaciers of the Dachstein to the vineyards of southern Steiermark.

And who knows? After a well-earned stay in the thermal waters, you may even feel ready to set off on the southern route of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine as well.