Schilcherkeller Rundweg

"In vino veritas - in wine lies the truth" could be the motto of this wonderful hike. It leads past numerous Schilcher wine cellars in Western Styria. Thus, the wine-interested hiker has the unique opportunity to taste the delicious drops of the region. Especially the rosé shimmering Schilcher is characterised by its diversity of taste. Find your favourite winemaker along the way.

You can learn about a special craft - that of weaving - at the Strunz weaving mill and also purchase a work of art. The children look forward to an exciting fairy tale at the romantic fairy tale lake and the adults can enjoy the beauty of nature.

The hike leads through cooling forests and across flowering meadows. Take your time for this tour, because there are numerous refreshment stops waiting for you. Taste and enjoy the delicacies of Western Styria and take it easy.

This route takes you to a fairytale lake and to delightful places that invite you to stay longer.

It starts at the beautiful spa gardens in Bad Gams. You should already take some time here to marvel at the splendour of the flowers. The path leads you first to Furth. It continues to Niedergams, where we also reach the highest point of this hike.

Along the way there are always opportunities to make yourself comfortable in one of the many rustic Buschenschänken. Whether sitting under the arbour in the sunshine or by the tiled stove in the warm parlour when it rains, a hearty snack at the Buschenschank is always a worthwhile destination, no matter what the weather is like. In addition to delicious sandwiches or a Brettljause, refreshing salad creations with nutty-tasting pumpkin seed oil await hikers.

After the start, turn right along the country road to Furth until you reach the Schilcherkeller of the Farmer-Rabensteiner family. Here 20 winegrowers from the region offer the regional speciality, the Schilcher. Schilcher is a rosé wine made from the Blaue Wildbachertraube grape and is an absolute speciality of Western Styria. The wine proudly bears the white horse on its label. There you also have the opportunity to visit one of the Erlebnis-Genusshof guided tours. The variety of different products and their production will be expertly explained to you.

The tour continues in a good mood. Past the Strunz weaving mill, turn left towards Gersdorf and follow the municipal road into the forest path to the Märchensee lake.

This lake only fills with rainwater from the waters of the surrounding fields, which is why it is also called Himmelteich. This is the perfect place for the children to play by the water or listen to an exciting fairy tale in the grass.

Afterwards, you hike on soft ground along the forest and meadow path until you reach the next enjoyment destination, Toni Peter's Fisch-Buschenschank. A variety of fish delicacies from carp from the Märchensee lake are added to the usual Buschenschank offer. Enjoy the fresh fish with a good glass of wine from the region.

Then continue hiking to Niedergams. After crossing the main road, continue to the resting place at the pond - formerly Nymphenweiher. The perfect moment to pause - take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air. With renewed energy, continue along the municipal road until you reach the highest point. There you turn right to the Deutsch-Maier wine experience. Depending on the season, the Deutsch-Maier family invites you to wine tastings in the vineyard or in the vaulted cellar. Both options are a culinary experience.

The path continues to the Petschnegg vineyard. There you turn right and follow a forest and meadow path to Haus Brabeck, where you turn left and arrive at the Gamser Winzerstube. Here, true to the motto of "West Styrian Gemütlichkeit", you can also take a last rest. Take some time to enjoy, because from there it is not far back to the starting point in Bad Gams.

Plan your journey via Google Maps to the starting point of the tour: www.google.at/maps

From the north: Motorway Munich - Salzburg - Eben - Schladming - Liezen onto the A9 towards Graz. Exit at Lieboch and follow the B76 towards Deutschlandsberg. In Frauental, leave the B76 at the Posch car dealership and turn left at the crossroads to Bad Gams.

A9 is subject to toll - Gleinalmtunnel. Alternative: at St. Michael take the S6 towards Bruck and in Bruck take the S35 towards Graz.

From the west: In Villach take the A2 towards Klagenfurt. Exit at Steinberg and drive towards Stainz, from there along the B76 towards Deutschlandsberg. In Frauental leave the B76 at the Posch car dealership and turn left at the crossroads to Bad Gams.

From the east: A2: Vienna - Aspang - Hartberg - Fürstenfeld - Graz. From Graz continue on the A2 in the direction of Klagenfurt and take the Lieboch exit in the direction of Stainz/Deutschlandsberg/Eibiswald. Follow the B76 to Deutschlandsberg. In Frauental, leave the B76 at the Posch car dealership and turn left at the crossroads to Bad Gams.

From the south: A1 from Marburg to Leibnitz. Exit in Leibnitz (Gralla) and continue on the B74 in the direction of Deutschlandsberg (Heimschuh - Gleinstätten - St.Martin - Deutschlandsberg). Pass the LKH Deutschlandsberg, at each of the four roundabouts take the second exit in the direction of Stainz-Graz. After the fourth roundabout on the B76, take the turning lane to the left in the direction of Bad Gams.