Wine Trail Ratsch-Ottenberg Nr. 21

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 12,6 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 350 hm

Downhill 350 hm

Highest point 499 m

The Ratsch-Ottenberg Wine Trail truly lives up to its name – it is one of the most beautiful wine trails along the South Styrian Wine Route!

The magnificent views and numerous places to stop for refreshments make a walk along the Ratsch-Ottenberg Wine Trail a real treat. Starting from the Infopoint Zweytick, it takes just a few minutes to reach the first wonderful viewpoint at the famous Steirmark-Herzerlbank. The trail continues towards Ratscher Landhaus, past the Pilch wine tavern and the Schwarzl winery, then leads up to Wielitsch to the Grabschneider/Wielitsch Chapel. Over the ridge, follow the road to the Ratscher Graben. From there, the route takes you through the cool forest up to Lindenburg and on through vineyards and woods to the Maitz winery. Time and again, you’ll walk through vineyards, down and up, continuing to the Zweytick Robert wine tavern and back to the starting point/information point. You’ll be rewarded with wonderful South Styrian cuisine and unforgettable moments.
This walking route can be shortened by combining it with Route 21a.

Best season

January

February

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More information

Coming from Graz via the A9, take the Spielfeld exit, then continue towards Spielfeld-Graßnitzberg-Südsteirische Weinstraße. Keep left and follow the Südsteirische Weinstraße to the Ratsch a.d. Weinstraße information point.
No time limit and free of charge at the Ratsch/Weinstraße Information Point.

The route runs along surfaced roads, forest and meadow trails, and through vineyards.

Starting from the Ratscher Landhaus hotel, hike north or towards the Buschenschank Pilch guesthouse. Passing the Weingut Schwarzl wine estate, follow the road towards the town of Unterranzried. From here, a meadow trail runs up to Wielitsch, to the Grabschneider/Wieltischkapelle chapel. Hike over the ridge, following the road to the Ledinegg orchard, where a forest trail runs down to the Mori car park (Bochhansl restaurant). Then it's onwards through the cool leafy forest up to the Lindenburg winery (run by the Stelzl family). The trails continues between vineyards and forests to the Weingut Wolfgang Maitz wine estate i.e. the Maitz Urbanikeller. Continue along a short stretch of road passing the Weingut Buschenschank Kögl tavern/winery, before heading up and down through the vineyards towards the Buschenschank Zweytick Robert and Susi tavern. From here, hike along the South Styrian Wine Road (on the pavement running parallel) to the "Styria Bench" at the Weingut Bullmann wine estate. Via a cul-sac-road, head towards Rebenhof. This final ascent is rewarded with a wonderful view, before you head back to the starting point.

(Route description for the longer variant, on this GPS Track – Details about the variants are available on maps from the tourism association!)

Small rucksack with water bottle, light hiking boots, Nordic walking poles, sunscreen, umbrella, mobile phone, detailed map/hiking map of the hike.

Please take into account your personal fitness level, the weather forecast and the current opening hours of refreshment stops. No liability can be accepted for the accuracy of the information provided.

The Styrian Heart-Shaped Bench at the Bullmann Winery is one of the most popular viewpoints along the South Styrian Wine Route – capture the moment with a photo!

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 Ehrenhausen.

Information offices:
Ehrenhausen Tourist Office, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730 810, 8461 Ehrenhausen, Marktplatz 14

Gamlitz Tourist Office, Tel.: +43 (5) 7730 210, 8462 Gamlitz, Marktplatz 41

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