Stage 20 From Glacier to Wine South Route Bad Schwanberg - Eibiswald

From Bad Schwanberg, right at the beginning of our stage of the hiking route "From Glacier to Wine", we go uphill to the beautifully situated Limberg Castle in the middle of a forest, which today accommodates youth and vacation camps. Limberg Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1244 as a castle with the name "Lindenperch". The structure that still exists today dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. On the valley side there is an outer castle with a central gate tower and two corner towers on the flanks, which are connected to the central building by galleries. The outer castle is connected with the main castle by defensive walls. In the past, there was a moat between them, which was spanned by a bridge. Today, however, the entrance leads through the forecourt directly into the castle, which consists of a quadrangular building with a rectangular courtyard including pillared arcades. Of the once magnificent rooms, the Knight's Hall, the "Painted Room" and a hall in the south wing are still preserved.

But now back to our way to Eibiswald. This leads us on the next kilometers steadily slightly uphill through a beautiful forest to the highest point of the hike at 608 m above sea level, and immediately after that to the Hochmasser inn, a stamp control point for all Mariazell pilgrims. Strengthened, the leisurely tour leads us ever so slightly downhill to the vineyards around the settlement of Oberkraß, where we also encounter Buschenschänken such as that of the Fürpaß family. From Oberkraß we go to Unterkraß, where we keep to the right to get to Vordersdorf. From here the path goes again slightly uphill over a small wooded hill, which brings us on the other side, past beautifully situated vineyards, farmhouses and family homes directly to Eibiswald. In addition to the ÖAV long-distance hiking museum, the beautiful old town houses or the Lechhaus, which also houses a small fine cultural center, there is also another tip: in the Domaines Kilger Hasewend in the center of Eibiswald we can not only stay overnight in the best way, but are also spoiled with regional specialties. This is how we imagine a conclusion to a wonderful hike before we head off on the next stage to the Südsteiermark Nature Park.