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Riegersburg castle tour - FF 16 (Riegersburgtour)

Accessible by public transport

Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 45,8 km

Time 4:00 h

Uphill 428 hm

Downhill 428 hm

Highest point 409 m

Challenging and enjoyable at the same time: the Riegersburg tour leads through the heart of the thermal spa and volcanic region – accompanied by impressive views of Riegersburg Castle and past renowned culinary establishments in the region.

This route is aimed at ambitious cyclists and is challenging with climbs of up to 15 percent (but no problem with an e-bike). It passes the imposing Riegersburg Castle, which not only impresses with its scenery but is also worth a visit for its historic interior. Along the route, there are wonderful viewpoints over the hilly landscape in the southeast of Styria, characterized by rolling vineyards, orchards, and the typical Vulkanland landscape. A tour for everyone who wants to combine exercise with enjoyment and consciously leave the pace to the moment.

Best season

January

February

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December

More information

From Vienna & Lower Austria
By car: South freeway (A2) to exit Riegersdorf, from here via the S7 in direction Budapest to exit Fürstenfeld, via Fürstenfels bypass to Bad Loipersdorf.

From Graz
By car: on the A2 motorway in the direction of Vienna as far as the Riegersdorf exit, from here via the S7 in the direction of Budapest to the exit Fürstenfeld. From here via Fürstenfeld bypass to Bad Loipersdorf.

From Western Austria and Bavaria
By car: via Salzburg on the Phyrn freeway (A9) and the Süd freeway (A2) or via Carinthia on the Süd freeway (A2) to the Riegersdorf exit, from here via the S7 in the direction of Budapest to the exit Fürstenfeld. From here via Fürstenfeld bypass to Bad Loipersdorf.

From Italy or Slovenia
By car: via Villach on the southern freeway (A2) to the Riegersdorf exit or via Maribor on the Phyrn freeway (A9) and the southern freeway (A2) in the direction of Vienna to the Riegersdorf exit. From here via the S7 in the direction of Budapest to the exit Fürstenfeld. From here via Fürstenfeld bypass to Bad Loipersdorf.

You start in front of the Loipersdorf thermal spa resort and cycle through several sections of forest to the neighboring village of Unterlamm, always following the signs for “FF 16.” In the center of Unterlamm, turn left at Nah&Frisch, continue cycling towards Bärnbach until you reach a large intersection in the forest. Here, turn left, follow the road to Wiesenberg, and then leave the main road in the direction of Hatzendorf. Passing through Unterhatzendorf, Hatzendorf, and Stang, you will reach the village of Riegersburg with its imposing castle. Views of this castle accompany you again and again on this route, and a visit is definitely worthwhile.

Then cross the village of Riegersburg and the smaller settlement of Lembach and turn right towards David Gölles - house of whiskey, gin & rum. You can also plan a short stop at this distillery. From here, the route winds its way along side roads through meadows and fields to Kropfberg and Lemberg, before taking you up to Loiberg and past the Schrammelberg viewpoint with its magnificent views.

From here, you cycle through the villages of Tautendorf, Hartl, and Übersbach. After the Übersbach oil mill, turn right and continue to follow the FF 16 signs to the parish church of Bad Loipersdorf in the village center. Turn left in front of the church, pass the municipal office, and then immediately turn right at the “Holzschaffel” into the park. From here, the route continues past the elementary school to the start of the final climb towards the Loipersdorf thermal spa resort, your destination. You can cover this last section on the footpath or cycle path next to the main road.

Highlights of the tour:

Views of the imposing Riegersburg Castle
Gentle ups and downs through the volcanic landscape and hilly countryside
Quiet paths away from traffic
Magnificent views
Culinary discoveries along the route

Detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Parking lot in front of the Spa Loipersdorf

Cycling map available at the guest service center in the spa, at the landlords or at the

Tourist Office Thermen- & Vulkanland
Guest information Bad Loipersdorf
Thermenstraße 152
8282 Bad Loipersdorf
Phone: +43 3382 55 100-82
badloipersdorf@thermen-vulkanland.at
www.thermen-vulkanland.at