Great Hochgrail - Niedergrail round trip Nr. S10, 551, S7A, S7

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,0 km

Time 2:45 h

Uphill 317 hm

Downhill 317 hm

Highest point 585 m

This special walk through the vineyards of Hochgrail has become well-known thanks to the TV programme “9 Places – 9 Treasures”. The chance to stop for refreshments makes the tour a real treat.

Start at the Schilcherland car park and follow the S10 signpost through the village centre. Cross the main square until you reach the road. Continue along this path to the mill ruins. You should pause for a moment at this special spot to gather your strength for the rest of the walk. From here, the path climbs slightly. Through the beautiful woodland, you can already see the unique chestnut groves. The path continues towards Greisdorf. You’ll walk downhill for a short stretch along path number 551. Cross Steinreib-Straße straight ahead and walk along path S7A. Continue to Niedergrail-Straße, which you follow to the main road. Alternatively, keep left at the junction; after a few metres, turn right across the road onto hiking trail S7. Enjoy the special atmosphere and tranquillity of the forest. Here, the paths merge into the S9 – this subsequently becomes the Genuss-Schilcher-Weg, which you follow back to St. Stefan from Stainz, to the starting point.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Coming from Graz via the A9, take the A2 towards Klagenfurt at the Graz-West motorway junction. Take the Lieboch exit and follow the B76 towards Lannach-Deutschlandsberg.

This beautiful circular hike starts at the Schilcherland car park in St. Stefan opposite the school centre and the church. The path with the S10 marking leads you through the centre of St. Stefan ob Stainz. Cross the main square to the right past a transformer station and the beautiful spruce hedge down over the flowering meadow through the forest until you reach the road. Keep left for a short while and then right again to continue along the S10 hiking trail until you reach an enchanted-looking mill ruin. You should linger a little at this special place and gather strength for the rest of the tour.

From here, the path climbs a little. Through the beautiful forest, which provides shade on hot days, you can already see the unique chestnut gardens of the Klug wine and chestnut farm. Time for a short detour to the farm and a good sip of Schilcher. Don't despair if no one is at home - there is a quiet drinks seller in the old cellar. Now it's time to enjoy peace, wine and the beautiful view of the vineyards, which show themselves in the most magnificent colours in autumn. Then continue on the S10 path in the direction of Greisdorf. Here your stomach may already be rumbling. You can choose between a hearty Buschenschankjause from Achatz or Styrian delicacies from the Fuchswirt kitchen. Why not try a crispy fried chicken with a salad with wonderfully nutty-smelling kernel oil. The green gold of the region.

After this delicious refreshment, the path with the number 551 goes downhill for a bit. Then cross the Steinreib road and walk along path S7A to the Klug-Voltl wine tavern. You can't really walk past it. That's why you should take a sweet break here. Typical Strauben or a Germmehlspeise round off the culinary day.

Then continue on to Niedergrail-Straße, which you follow until you reach the main road. Or keep left at the crossroads, then after about 50 metres turn right across the road onto the S7 hiking trail.

Enjoy the special atmosphere and the peace and quiet of the forest, and you may even spot a deer or two. But you have to be very quiet. Here the trails merge into the S9 - this then runs into the Genuss-Schilcher-Weg, which you follow back to St. Stefan ab Stainz, to the starting point.

A wonderful day of hiking over a distance of eight kilometres, full of wonderful culinary delights, draws to a close here. But fortunately there are still numerous opportunities in the region to stretch your feet in the beautiful landscape of Western Styria.

Autumn is chestnut season. Many wine taverns serve roasted chestnuts. Why not make the most of it and enjoy these delicious treats with a glass of Schilcher spritzer?

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

Nearest train stations are: Lannach, Frauental or Deutschlandsberg.

Schilcherland car park in St. Stefan ob Stainz.

Information offices:

Stainz Tourist Office, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730 710, 8510 Stainz, Hauptplatz 1

South Styria Tourist Association, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, Hauptplatz 40

www.suedsteiermark.com