Backbone (Rückgrat) / Feldbach-Bad Gleichenberg

First we walk from the Feldbach train station into town to the main square. Continuing via Burgfried we leave Feldbach and arrive at Mühldorf, from where we climb the Steinberg, a basalt volcano. On the stone spine we hike towards the two Gleichenberger Kogel, cross a ditch and climb to the Höchkogel in Gossendorf, which offers a fantastic view of the gently rolling landscape. Continuing along the ridge, we finally reach the Gleichenberger Kogel, the oldest volcano in the region. The reddish and yellowish shimmering rock at the quarry, which we cross during the ascent, is trass rock, which was formed by volcanic vapors and gases after the extinction of the volcano. Here, very close by, is also mined the natural fango that is used in the thermal baths for mud packs.

We bypass the quarry and hike halfway up under the summit of the Bschaidkogel to the millstone quarry. Here, with a little luck, you may even find fossils that were washed up here about 10 million years ago by what was then called the "Mur"!

On the forest path we then descend to Bad Gleichenberg, the heart center in which natural healing waters for cardiovascular problems bubble up. Through the town center we come to the famous spa park. A little further is then already the station of the Gleichenberger Bahn, where either the tour No. 13 connects or the possibility to return to Feldbach.

The hike leads mainly along forest paths and small side roads. Several climbs between 70 to 150 meters in altitude allow beautiful views.

Detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at  www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

P+R at Feldbach train station (no short-term parking zone). There are numerous parking spaces available.

Parking in the area of the city center Feldbach: The parking duration is 2 hours. Parking in the shopping city of Feldbach is free of charge.  A parking meter must be used and is available free of charge at the tourist office.

Information

Tourist office Thermen- & Vulkanland
Guest information Feldbach
Main square 1
8330 Feldbach
feldbach@thermen-vulkanland.at
www.thermen-vulkanland.at

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri from 9-12 and 13-16 hrs., Foyer from 6-22 h

Tours in the footsteps of volcanoes
Guided hikes or geomantic experience of the eruptive history of the volcanic land SPIRIT of regions Auersbach 71, 8330 Feldbach Tel.: +43 664 9682882 Web: www.spiritour.at 

Volcanic Land Hiking Map "Man & Nature" 1:500.000 Styrian Volcanic Country Tel. +43 (0)3152/8575-710 www.spuren.at

freytag & berndt WK 412 Southeast Styrian Hills, Volcanic Country, Bad Gleichenberg, Bad Radkersburg

Kompass hiking guide "Styrian Volcano Country - On the trail of the volcanoes".Descriptions, route maps and elevation profiles ISBN 978-3-85026-096-1 www.kompass.at