Bike Riding 3 Castles Tour - Touren-Impression #1 | © Oststeiermark Tourismus Bike Riding 3 Castles Tour - Touren-Impression #1 | © Oststeiermark Tourismus

3 Castles Tour

Partially opened
The 3-Castles-Tour in Hartbergerland brings us to the historic walls of Reitenau Castle (Stambach), Aichberg Castle (Eichberg), and Kirchberg Castle (Grafendorf).

On the almost 30 kilometer long route we discover the Hartberg region from its rural and historical side. We cycle off the beaten track and follow in the footsteps of counts and castle lords. The circular route leads uphill and downhill and takes us to numerous great places in the region. On the way we can always convince ourselves of the regional cuisine and stop in various inns. In Eichberg we enjoy a panoramic view from the observation tower in the GERA Park, we can marvel at the Lebing burial mound or take a short break in the Mineralosolium. There is also the possibility to give our soles a short breather after the altitude meters covered and to relax our feet in the brook water Kneipp path. Also the "small" cyclists are offered a lot: In addition to the forest and hunting trail to climb the observation tower, there is a water park for children next to Aichberg Castle, and those who still have power can let off steam in the fitness park.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

Best season

January
February
March
November
December

The tour in numbers

medium
Level of difficulty
27,3 km
Route
3:30 h
Time
915 hm
Uphill
915 hm
Downhill
872 m
Highest point

Map & downloads

More information

You can find detailed information about the journey here

Marking: continuous with Drei-Schlösser-Tour

  • The start of the tour is directly opposite GH Eichbergerhof or the cemetery wall, we turn left downhill.
  • At the next junction, we keep right and head towards the "Schnellerviertel".
  • We continue downhill to "Grafendorf bei Hartberg", i.e. we now turn left downhill.
  • Keep right at the next junction.We have now passed through Steinfelden and continue straight on through the forest at the next junction.
  • In the village of Reibersdorf, we turn right towards the "Wiesenhof" farm.
  • At the next crossroads, we keep to the signpost "Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule" and turn left, in front of us we can already see Grafendorf bei Hartberg in the valley.
  • We now drive directly through the castle grounds of Kirchberg am Walde, which is now an agricultural college, but a short walk around the castle is possible.
  • We continue straight ahead along a beautiful avenue towards Grafendorf bei Hartberg and continue straight ahead at the next junction.
  • At the next junction, turn right towards "Römerstraße".
  • If you want to take a look at the village of Grafendorf bei Hartberg, turn left down into the village center and then back up to here.
  • At the crossroads with the wayside shrine, we keep right and continue along the Roman road. We now leave Grafendorf bei Hartberg and see the Masenberg with the wind turbines in front of us.
  • Shortly before Stambach, we turn right uphill in the direction of "Zeil/Zeilerviertel" = entrance to StambachImmediately on the right, we pass Reitenau Castle, which is somewhat hidden behind trees.
  • We now have a longer ascent ahead of us and cycle up to the district of "Stambach-Zeil", at the crossroads in the village we continue straight on (in the direction of the wayside shrine).
  • At the next junction, keep right and continue in the direction of "Zeilerviertel".
  • Before the "Hobarc" farm, we turn right uphill, now it is steep again, but with a view, e.g. of the Masenberg.
  • At the next two crossroads, continue straight ahead, always following the "Wanderweg G5" markings.
  • We continue uphill to the next junction, where we continue straight ahead in the direction of "Wanderweg G 5" and past the small yellow chapel. Now it's downhill with a view of the Vorauer Land.
  • At the junction with the Steinhöfler path, we keep right.
  • At the next junction with the signpost "Plank vgl. Auer", we keep left and continue down the Hinterzeil-Weg (ATTENTION: this section of the trail was closed in 2022 due to construction work).
  • We stay on the main path here, cross the Steinbach stream and then turn right.
  • Now we go down the Steingrabenweg, through a romantic piece of forest, at the next crossroads we take the Mittelweg and continue straight ahead.
  • We now stay on the main path and continue along the Steinbach stream down to the bridge and the junction with the main road.
  • There we turn right onto the main road, but only ride a short distance to the next crossroads.
  • We keep to the signpost "Pferschywirt" / "Schloss Aichberg" and turn right.
  • We soon pass the Pferschywirt inn, where there is a parking lot for the path up to the GERA Park with its viewing tower.
  • We continue to the Kleinschlag district, at the "Biohof Krautgartner" signpost we turn left uphill towards "Lebing".
  • We soon pass the Roman grave on the left and cycle through the long village of Lebing.
  • At the junction for "Eichberg", we turn right.
  • We also keep right at the next crossroads ("Wanderweg E 6").
  • We have now reached the starting point again at the cemetery, but we should make a detour to Aichberg Castle.
  • We turn left and keep to the signpost "Schloss Aichberg" in front of the elementary school/fire brigade.
  • Behind the castle is also the parish church of Eichberg.

The observation tower in the G.E.R.A. Park offers a magnificent panoramic view over the region, reaching as far as Burgenland and Hungary!

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.

For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

(Please find out in advance about taking bicycles on public transport and the SAM collective cab)

Free parking is available for example at the Eichbergerhof or Gasthof Pferschywirt!

Connection/ Networking: R12 thermal cycle path, Eurovelo 9.

More information:

Tourist Office Eastern Styria

Hartberg office

Alleegasse 6

8230 Hartberg

+43 3332 603300

www.oststeiermark.com 

Current weather

Mobility Eastern Styria with SAM shared cab

Cycling maps, hiking maps and excursion destination maps are available at the information offices of the Eastern Styria Adventure Region and on our website.

Tourist Office Eastern Styria

Hartberg office

Alleegasse 6

8230 Hartberg

+43 3332 603300

Email: hartbergerland@oststeiermark.com  

www.oststeiermark.com 

Gallery

Spiegelsee Reiteralm | © photo-austria / Christine Höflehner

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