In the centre of Stainz, directly at the town hall, you start your approximately two-and-a-half-hour hike in the direction of the railway station. From here, where the legendary
Flascherlzug stops, you hike into the settlement area of Graschuh. Patients used to come to the miracle doctor Johann Reinbacher in Stainz on the Flascherlzug and from there they marched up the mountain on foot. He used urine bottles to diagnose his patients' illnesses. They were then given herbal teas and tinctures for treatment. That is why the path was lined with discarded bottles, so that no signpost was needed. Hence the name Flascherlzug.
After a short stretch in the forest, the trail continues on corridor paths and a longer forest to Tomberg up to the apple road. Today you will walk about eight kilometres. Here in the forest, where the sunlight casts the shadows of the leaves in patterns on the forest floor, you should take a deep breath. The fresh forest floor and the plants of the forest exude a unique fragrance. You have arrived in the authentic nature of Western Styria. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful views of the wine town of Stainz, the majestic Stainz Castle and the picturesque surroundings.
After you have crossed the main road, the trail continues across flowering meadows gently swayed by the wind. Why not lie down on the grass for a few minutes and watch the clouds pass by in the sky? A wonderful way to relax.
After a while you will come across the main road. Here in Kothvogel you should definitely make a short detour to the tractor museum. There you can see tractors built between 1928 and 1965. The members of the association strive to preserve these vehicles for posterity and make them accessible. A highlight for every vehicle fan.
Then follow the hiking trail marked seven and turn left. Again, the trail leads through a picturesque forest. After you have crossed the national road, the path climbs slightly to a crossroads where you can see the legendary Engelweingarten with its vineyards high up in front of you. Especially in autumn, the vine leaves show their magical play of colours.
From here you can let your gaze wander over the surrounding countryside of Bad Gams and you can see as far as the Koralm. After you can tear yourself away from the beauty of the West Styrian hilly landscape, turn right into the Rebengasse and via a forest we come back to the centre of Stainz.
Hopefully you have taken advantage of the numerous opportunities to capture the picturesque landscape of the Stainz hills with your camera. If not, these pictures will stay in your memory for a long time anyway. They will keep you coming back to explore the Schilcher region all over again on another hike.