Look forward to this hike, the beauty of untouched nature, refreshing streams and cooling forest paths await you. Start with plenty of energy at the Schilcherland car park in St. Stefan ob Stainz. The village is the largest Schilcher growing community in Styria. So don't hesitate to taste this special grape juice or take a bottle with you on your hike.
The path leads you north past the regional primary schools and you already leave the village and the nature experience can begin. You stroll through the forest and enjoy the play of light and shadow that the sun conjures up on the forest floor. Continue through the meadows swaying in the wind before you hike up to the Puxhof. Take the chance and put a meadow flower in your buttonhole or on your hiking hat.
The Puxhof was the seat of an old noble family. Here you will feel transported back in time and you can dream of times gone by. Nearby is also the Herunter dairy farm, one of the most modern in the region.
From here the trail leads you into the Zirknitzgraben. An absolute highlight of this tour. Enjoy the untouched natural landscape, the tranquillity and originality of this section. While hiking through the ditch, you will find peace and gather strength for everyday life. Use the time for a break to enjoy an original snack from the region that you have brought with you.
Across woods and meadows, you will walk up to Oberzirknitz, a rural settlement with beautiful views of the surrounding Schilcherland. Here it is advisable to take your mobile phone and take some souvenir photos. This is where the western Styrian districts of Voitsberg and Deutschlandsberg border on each other.
The path runs along the crest of the hill to the Treitlerwirt. You should plan a stop here to taste the delicacies of the region. Especially a salad with Styrian pumpkin seed oil - the green gold of the region - is a must.
After this break, the hike continues via the small village of Dörfl, now it's downhill. You cross the hiking trail marked S3 and reach the Pirkhofbachgraben. Take off your hiking boots and cool your feet in the clear water. Well refreshed, you cross a road and then meet the Zirknitzbach again.
After a sawmill, cross another road and continue straight ahead across the meadow. You return to the starting point via an ascending forest section. If you have not yet had enough of hiking and you want to stay in the region overnight, a detour leads up the road to the Krainerhof. You can also spend the night there.
Or you can continue straight ahead across the meadow. You return to the starting point of the hike via an ascending forest section. End the afternoon on the Schilcher Wine Road. Numerous delicacies from the region await you here.