The car park in Langegg on the Schilcherstraße offers the best starting point for this wonderful hike through the home of the Schilcher. This unique rosé wine, for which the region is famous, is made from the Roter Wildbacher grape and ideally complements the regional delicacies offered in numerous Buschenschänken and inns. Two well-known wineries are also located there: The
Buschenschank Lazarus winery and the
Buschenschank and winery Langmann vulgo Lex. Both have already received several awards for their wines. Enter to recharge your batteries for the upcoming hike and enjoy a hearty snack.
Afterwards, however, hike in a northerly direction. Soon you can let your gaze wander into the distance and even catch sight of Graz's local mountain, the Schöckl. Through a vineyard, whose leaves shimmer in all colours from yellow to red in autumn, you reach a small road. Turn right there and you will pass the next stop, the Friedrich Winery. A cosy glass of wine or a schnapps - this is a good way to live here in the Schilcherheimat.
A little to the east below the winery, next to the municipal road, is the Weber family winery. Here, a fluffy Germmehlspeise would be a good way to round things off.
Follow the hiking signs to the Laubengang and then continue downhill through the Langegg vineyard, where some of the best wines in the region grow. Again, be sure to take some time to stop and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Why not take a souvenir photo of your hiking party and the unique area. This will always make them think of this wonderful day of hiking.
Then continue west until you come to a small stream. Get out of your hiking boots and refresh yourself a little in the cool water. Then cross the rivulet and turn right uphill at the fifth vine row. At the top, follow the path to the left until you reach the forest. Here in the shade you can find some cooling on hot days and the children can enjoy many a forest adventure.
Follow the cart path until you come to a crossroads, where the path leads you left to St. Stefan ob Stainz. But that would be the longer loop. Therefore, continue straight ahead for 100 metres and turn right at the fork in the path, where you will reach the Buschenschank Schober vulgo Weingartenschloegl after 200 metres. Before you hike back to Langegg, you should not miss this opportunity. Let the hike come to an end here. The innkeeper will be happy to explain everything you need to know about Schilcher and viticulture in the region. Do not hesitate to ask.
If the round was too short for you and you would like to explore more of this wonderful region, you can add the middle round of the "GenussSchilchern Dort". You will then pass either Greisdorf or the Klug wine and chestnut farm. Here you would have the chance to taste freshly roasted chestnuts with sweet Schilchersturm in autumn. A real treat.
Back to the starting point of the hike, it's a few hundred metres of somewhat steep uphill, where you then reach the car park in Langegg again. A wonderful hiking day with many unforgettable impressions comes to an end. Fortunately, there are many more hiking trails to explore in the region.