The Little Hochgrail Circuit

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 5,4 km

Time 1:40 h

Uphill 177 hm

Downhill 177 hm

Highest point 490 m

This pleasant walk is particularly family-friendly.

You start at the Schilcherland car park in St. Stefan ob Stainz and follow the S10 hiking trail. This takes you across the main square to a meadow and through an idyllic stretch of woodland to the romantic ruins of an old mill. The path climbs gently and leads through a chestnut tree plantation, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view over the vineyards of Western Styria. You then continue along the access road to Hochgrailstraße. From here, you continue the walk along the S9 trail, which takes you through the woods and past the cemetery of St. Stefan. You finally return to the starting point via the main square. The circle is complete and you finish a walk that will hopefully whet your appetite for more – for further culinary exploration tours through the home of Schilcher.

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 walk of five and a half kilometres can also be easily explored with your children. The many opportunities to stop for a bite to eat also make the walk very entertaining.

You start at the Schilcherland car park in St. Stefan ob Stainz. Here you leave your everyday life behind with the car and full of anticipation you set off. The hiking trail marked S10 leads you directly across the main square, but you will soon find yourself in a flowering meadow and wander through a forest until you reach a romantic ruined mill. You should linger a little at this special place and take a souvenir photo or two.

Afterwards, the path climbs slightly through the beautiful, quiet forest and you will soon see the first chestnut trees of the Klug chestnut farm, also called "Pletteri". The path leads you directly through the tree plantation to the farm. You must stop here and enjoy a glass of wine. When the chestnuts are ripe in autumn, you will experience a West Styrian classic for gourmets. Roasted chestnuts accompanied by a glass of Schilchersturm - a delight. Now you have arrived in the heart of Western Styria. Don't be sad if no one is home, there is a silent seller of drinks in the old cellar.

The view over the West Styrian vineyards is gorgeous from up here and makes another special photo motif. Just enjoy the moment and leave everyday life behind you.

Continue along the access road to Hochgrailstraße and from there turn left down to Buschenschank Hiden, vlg. "Höllerhansl". Time for a hearty snack and a refreshing spritzer.

Freshly invigorated, continue the hike down to the path marked S9. At the edge of the forest there is a unique opportunity for a souvenir photo with Archduke Johann and his beloved Anna Plochl. Through the forest, past the cemetery of St. Stefan, you return via the main square to the starting point.

The circle closes and you end a walk that will hopefully whet your appetite for more - for more culinary explorations through the home of the Schilcher.

View from the Klug family’s farm: At the Klug Chestnut Farm, you can not only sample delicious wine and chestnuts in autumn, but also enjoy a unique view over the Schilcher region.

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