Southern Alpine Trail 03 / Border Panorama Trail

Our tour takes us along the Austrian-Slovenian border and, with the following 6 suggested daily stages, is part of the International Long Distance Trail 03, which leads from Bad Radkersburg in the border triangle of Austria-Slovenia-Hungary to Silian in Italy. However, we walk in the opposite direction in this case - from the hiking village Soboth to Bad Radkersburg. On short sections, such as at Leutschach, we leave the 03 trail for a few kilometres to visit particularly beautiful hiking trail sections, such as the one through the Heiligengeist ravine. In addition, Leutschach offers numerous accommodations for a soothing night's sleep. We also stay on the Austrian side in the section from Glanz an der Weinstraße via Ratsch and Beerghausen to Spielfeld, where numerous places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays await us.

We get into the hiking village of Soboth and first let ourselves be led over wide, soft alpine pastures down into the vineyards of Southern Styria. We hike through magnificent alluvial landscapes. We can see and visit the famous pilgrimage church Sveti Duh on the Slovenian side. Its eventful history goes back to the 17th century - today it is very nicely renovated. We also have the option of deviating from the "right path" and including individual daily stages such as the one to Eibiswald in our tour. Also worth seeing is the old Mureck ship mill, which is still operating. And finally, at the end of our tour, the charming 700-year-old border town of Bad Radkersburg awaits us with its small alleys, cafés and, of course, its park thermal baths.

We start in the hiking village of Soboth, where the Koralm Crystal Trail ends, and enjoy the view of the Steiner Alps, the Karawanken to the Julian and Carnic Alps. Over the Hühnerkogel we go to Gasthof Strutz in Laaken and then to St. Pongratzen and Gasthof Legat vulgo Wutschnig.

The rest of the route takes us to Leutschach, somewhat off the Südalpenweg 03. From the wine-growing village of Leutschach, the route leads through the beautiful idyllic Heiligengeist ravine, which is an experience in itself. Returning along the Grenzpanoramaweg, the route takes us via the Kos customs office to Sulztal an der Weinstraße. Leaving the beautiful Sulztal, Mureck awaits us. First, however, we cycle through vineyards in the direction of Spielfeld. The rest of the way takes us along the Mur through the UNESCO Biosphere Park Unteres Murtal, past the Röcksee lake to Bad Radkersburg. The thermal spa town and Radstadt welcomes us at the end of the tour with its beautifully preserved old town centre. Once we arrive in Bad Radkersburg, we are greeted not only by the thermal spa with its numerous hotels and guesthouses, but also by vinotheques that offer us the wonderful variety of Styrian and Slovenian wines and introduce us to the culinary delights of this region.