Discover Eberstein and find hotels

Eberstein brings together late Gothic defensive architecture and castle history with Carinthian song traditions, hiking destinations and a cycling route through the town. For planning, it is worth looking at the different highlights: the hiking trails lead to various waypoints and destinations, while the Görtschitztalweg places Eberstein on a longer route.

Fortified church, castle and Carinthian song history

The parish church of Hohenfeistritz is a late Gothic fortified church complex with a gate tower and a wall tower. It lies at an altitude of about 1,000 metres on a foothill of the Saualpe and was built as a unified structure between 1446 and 1491. The two towers are distinctive architectural features of the complex and give the term “fortified church” a tangible form.

Eberstein Castle towers above Eberstein and covers 6,000 square metres. Together with the church, it offers another cultural and historical perspective: here, the focus is on a late Gothic church complex; there, on a large castle above the town.

Carinthian song history also has its own connection to Eberstein. Justinus Mulle, Gerhard Glawischnig and Günther Mittergradnegger were active at the Carinthian Folk Song House. The Song Fountain stands in front of the building; at the press of a button, songs by the Carinthian songwriters honoured there can be heard. The building and fountain thus represent different aspects of this cultural theme.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The Silver Treasure Trail in St. Oswald is a circular route that starts at the meeting garden of the Biolandhaus ARCHE. Along the Silver Treasure Trail, a former 16th-century silver mine survives today as a 3 × 2-metre remnant cave. The cave’s historical connection and the circular route offer two different points of interest for the outing.

The Bible Hiking Trail in Eberstein has 15 stations and ends at a Kneipp pool high above the town. The Steinmar Spring and Kneipp Pool Circular Trail has a different layout: it leads from St. Oswald via the Steinmar Shrine Spring to the Kneipp pool and back again. The stations on the Bible Hiking Trail and the spring and circular route are therefore distinct features to consider when choosing between the two trails.

A signposted hiking trail leads to the Eberstein Rock Gate in about 20 minutes. The officially certified natural monument has a rock arch 16 metres wide and 11 metres high. After severe weather, it is advisable to check trail conditions on site.

The Eberstein Wild Boar Trail is also a circular walk. Its features include a treetop viewing platform, an observation point at a safe distance and a wild boar school. Unlike the trail to the Rock Gate, the focus here is not on a single geological destination, but on a circular walk with several named stops and facilities.

Cycling route and local character

Eberstein is a good starting point for extensive hikes and varied mountain bike tours. The Görtschitztalweg (R7A) offers another point of reference for cyclists: it runs for around 64 kilometres from Klagenfurt via Eberstein to Hüttenberg. The approximate total distance and the stated endpoints help place Eberstein along the route.

Carinthian Blondvieh cattle are also part of the local character: Eberstein is their home, and the breed is considered an ancient Carinthian cattle breed. Alongside buildings, song traditions and landscapes, regional cattle farming and its history are another distinct connection to the town.

If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Eberstein, you can decide on the focus of your trip in advance: cultural history, hiking trails or cycling offer different themes and day plans.

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