Idyllic Bad Waltersdorf is surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of Eastern Styria. Besides the thermal spa, the village also offers easy scenic hikes among vineyards and fruit orchards.
I arrived in Bad Waltersdorf a sunny and warm day in late June. Even though it was really too hot for a hike with 32 °C (90 °F), the local tourist office suggested a route which partly took me through small forests. And I did not regret taking up the tip, as the so-called Roman Vineyard Path (“Römerweinweg”) took me though a lovely landscape, offering panorama views and idyllic hamlets.
Hiking through hamlets and fruit orchards
Hiking alternately on paved roads, gravel roads and woodland trails, the 8,5 km (5.3 mi) route took me up on the gentle hills’ east of Bad Waltersdorf. As I left the village behind and ambled through the residential areas, I passed the Heiltherme Spa & Hotel. Very tempted to join the people pool side, I managed to put that behind me and enjoyed the lovely views of the valley instead, as I ascended the hill. The well-marked Roman Vineyard Path also comes with information boards. Sadly, however, only in German. Nonetheless, hiking through the hamlets and fruit orchards on Wagerberg, you also can catch great views eastwards. Here and there you can take a break on the benches besides the street. Don’t worry, they are put there for hikers and locals alike.
< Click on the images to enlarge >
Vineyards and farm shops
I didn’t stop at the Buschenschanks (restaurants om vineyards), but instead checked out some products sold directly at the farms. Several places along the route, roadside signs offer homemade liquors, grape juice, pumpkin seed oil, and of course different types of wine. If you buy directly from the producers or farm shops, you get just as good quality and avoid mass produced products. Moreover, the prices are usually very fair as well. The last kilometre takes you downhill through a small forest again, before you enter Bad Waltersdorf from the opposite side.
Advertisement
Culinary excellence
About 2,5 hours later I was back in the village, just in time for lunch. The region around Bad Waltersdorf is known for its culinary excellence. There are a few options for good traditional Austrian cuisine in the centre of the village, or you stop at some of the vineyards that serve food along the way. Nonetheless, around lunchtime most villages in Austria are peaceful and quiet, as shops close and most workers also go for lunch. Hence, securing a nice table in the shade with an overview of the village center, offered a nice break after the hike. A renowned restaurant, the Safenhof, is found in the lovely historic building right by the creek, in addition to a few more close to the church in the centre of Bad Waltersdorf.
Most beautiful village in Europe
After lunch it was time to have a closer look at Bad Waltersdorf. The creek Safen runs through the middle of village, that was inhabited already in Roman times. In 2003 Bad Waltersdorf was awarded the gold plaque as the “Most beautiful village in Europe” by Entente Florale. Most of the historic building you find around the church from 1690, such as the rectory from 1774. Furthermore, behind the church there is a small but interesting museum with remains from the Roman era. It’s free to enter and you can easily see it in 15 minutes.
Booking.com-
Although the region we refer to, Southern Carinthia, is only about 45 x 15 kilometers in size, you can find a multitude of activities and sights. Compared to many other and more well-known regions of Austria, Southern Carinthia is mostly visited by Austrians, Slovenes and Italians, i.e. “locals”. Tourism is kept at a manageable level […]
-
Hochobir is a large freestanding mountain at 2139 meters / 7017 ft above sea level. The mountain which is separated from the nearby peaks by deep valleys and rises almost 1800 m / 5900 ft above the Drau Valley in southern Carinthia. The starting point for the hike, Eisenkappeler Hütte, is located in the hillside […]
-
Often you only reach pristine snow-covered places by snowshoes. Snowshoes are not only ideal for exploring the enchanting winter landscape but are also perfect for slowing down the pace of your vacation and enjoying the fresh air. Find yourself a quiet corner in the woods or in the mountains, without ski lifts and resorts. Take […]
-
Salzburg was one of many locations that caught our eye when carefully selecting our ideal honeymoon destination last Christmas. We craved somewhere unique, special, romantic, and it wasn’t long before we had our hearts intertwined around Austria – Salzburg in particular. Breath-taking and sophisticated There was just something about the dreamy oasis of turquoise domes […]