Walking trails

Whether you're young or just young at heart, a rock climber or a walker, everyone can find something to suit them in this land of castles and wine. To name but a few walking trails:

Spring valley walk

Duration: 1.5 hours

We start in the car park of Lake Montiggl and walk down to the village of Montiggl. At the church we turn right and follow the small asphalt road for around 20 minutes through orchards and then through the forest, coming to a junction. From there we turn left towards the valley. If you were to turn right here you would reach Lake Kaltern. This walk is particularly recommended in spring, when the snowdrops are in full bloom.

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Castle walk (Korb Castle - Hocheppan - Boymont)

Duration: approx. 2.5 hours from Korb Castle

Walking trail no. 9 points out the way to the Unterhauser Weinstadel, which is not far away from the Kreideturm. Fifteen minutes later we reach Hocheppan Castle with all its impressive treasures. The directions for no. 9A then show us the way to the next treasure in the area: Boymont ruins. We then cross Hocheppan valley by means of a 60 m secured wooden path. Here we can linger a little, as Castle Korb is only 15 minutes away.

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Ice holes - Steinegger (a cool destination for hot days)

Duration: approx. 2.5 hours

One hundred meters south of the main square of St. Michael we turn to the right at St. Anna chapel and follow the signs for path no. 7. Through Pigeno, passing Gandegg Castle, we reach the "Stroblhof": A stop for a taste of the exquisite cuisine is certainly worthwhile! We then follow path no. 15 for approx. 20 minutes towards the south. The refreshing chill of the ice holes can already be felt. A crevice system between the porphyritic blocks creates a permanent flow of air that cools down this route. You can feel the cool air from these depressions up to a height of five meters. The enormous difference in temperature in such a small area means there are 600 species of plants growing here. A miracle of nature...! Path no. 7A takes us to the Gasthof Steinegger and then, on the "ST" trail, we come close to Gleif church and then return to St. Michael.

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Matschatsch - high trail (a day's walk)

Duration: 6 hours

Due to the length of this walk a prompt start is recommended: From the main square in St. Michael we climb upwards to Gleif church and walk for around 20 minutes to the Gasthof Steinegger. Path no. 7 points out the way to the southwest. We climb the Matschatscherberg mountain - from there we can see the idyllically located Matschatsch Castle further to the south. Further on in the "Michaeler Riebn", bend no. 6, the famous "Eppan high trail" (no. 9) begins. We walk for three hours to Buchwald and from there we return via Kreuzstein, passing Freudenstein Castle, to St. Michael.

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Girlan - Sigmundskron

Duration: 2 hours

This walk is not particularly strenuous: From Girlan we take an easterly direction passing the "Jesuheim". Soon we see, in the distance, an impressive house in a stunning location: The "Marklhof" restaurant is a good tip for gourmets and is perfect for a bite to eat on the sunny terrace! Around 200 m after the restaurant we reach the so-called viewpoint, offering a view over our diverse landscape. To reach our destination, though, we need to head back towards the restaurant and from there continue on path no. 1. One hour later we reach the ruins of Sigmondskron Castle, a majestic testament to the Middle Ages. Now we have the chance to take the bus from Frangart to Eppan or to head back on the same path to Girlan and thus to our holiday home.

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Other hiking tours are available here.