Seven Springs Trail Ratschendorf (Sieben-Quellen-Weg Ratschendorf)

We start our hike in front of the church of Deutsch Goritz, where you should take a look: The paintings inside, painted in the "Beuron style" by the Seckau painter Father Lukas (Hermann Reicht), were intended to bring the Bible closer to those who could not read. Therefore, the painting is also called "Bible for the poor". From here we walk in the direction of Weixelbaum and after 700m we turn left to the Peterquelle, where we can also taste the mineral water at a fountain. Across two streams and along field paths we reach Salsach. Here we can explore what the "tear of Salsach" is, and then walk along the road towards Deutsch Goritz. In the bend we turn left and immediately dive into the Jaun. This name refers to the wetland to the south of Deutsch Goritz (in spring there is a large occurrence of spring knotweed here), through which we hike via the "Wäsch" - where hemp and flax used to be dried and the village farmers' laundry was washed - to Ratschendorf.Here we can either return to the starting point via the road or begin the second loop of the hike. This first takes us north to Pechmann's old oil mill, a traditional cider tavern with an attached old-timer museum, where we can even look over the shoulder of the kernel oil presser. Afterwards we hike nicely flat between the ponds to the pilgrimage church Maria Helfbrunn. As the name suggests, the water from this spring helps with illnesses and therefore numerous pilgrims come here every year. Now we head east along the Helfbrunn terrace. This terrain edge dates back to the ice age, when a lot of loose material was deposited here. Interesting are also the many springs, which result from the fact that a layer of clay in the terrace does not allow the water to seep away and instead leads to these springs. Finally, we reach the grove Hügelstaudach, where there is a Roman-period tumulus field. Based on the results of the archaeological excavations, a museum has been established in the old cold store of Ratschendorf. The road then leads back to Ratschendorf and Deutsch Goritz.

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140
ambulance: 144
European emergency call: 112
firefighters: 122
police: 133

Tips when reporting an emergency – Answer these six WH questions: What happened? How many people are injured? Where did the accident happen (are there GPS coordinates)? Who is reporting the incident (callback number)? When did the accident happen? What is the weather like at the site of the incident?

Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within reach in a side pocket. All the things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top. An emergency kit, including blister plasters, belongs in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress in layers.

A stop at the Helfbrunn pilgrimage church in Ratschendorf, which is an Austrian Marian pilgrimage site, is recommended.

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

Gemeinde Deutsch Goritz
Deutsch Goritz 16/1
8483 Deutsch Goritz
Tel.: +43 3474 70 50
tourismus@deutsch-goritz.at
www.deutsch-goritz.at

Volcanic Land Hiking Map "Man & Nature" 1:500.000 Styrian Volcanic Country Tel. +43 (0)3152/8575-710 www.spuren.at

freytag & berndt WK 412 Southeast Styrian Hills, Volcanic Country, Bad Gleichenberg, Bad Radkersburg

Kompass hiking guide "Styrian Volcano Country - On the trail of the volcanoes". Descriptions, route maps and elevation profiles ISBN 978-3-85026-096-1 www.kompass.at