Hörmsdorf: Mining History, Wine and Trails

Hörmsdorf offers plenty of reasons to tailor your trip to your own interests: mining history, a connection to wine, and described tours all come together here. When choosing a route, it’s worth looking at the specific differences: the Vineyard Tour touches on winegrowing and historical settlement themes, while two mountain bike routes have different route characteristics. This makes it possible to explore the area through both its history and your planned activities.

Mining and the origins of the colony

Coal was mined extensively in Hörmsdorf at the beginning of the 20th century. The Charlotte-Marie shaft was in operation from 1905 to 1920. It was closed in 1920 for economic reasons. These dates provide a specific timeframe for mining: they cover the operation of the named shaft and its closure.

The Kolonie-Hörmsdorf settlement also developed during the period of intensive coal mining. The history of mining therefore includes not only the operating period of an individual shaft, but also the development of a settlement. This connection between industrial history and the origins of the settlement shapes the historical perspective on Hörmsdorf.

Roman times and long-distance hiking trails

A much earlier period is represented in Fuxwald: the burial mounds near Hörmsdorf are considered evidence of the Roman-era past of the municipality of Pitschgau. Together with the mining history of the early 20th century, they offer two distinct historical connections. The mounds represent Roman times, while the Charlotte-Marie shaft and the colony represent more recent industrial and settlement history.

As part of the wider municipality, the long-distance hiking museum includes information boards for long-distance hiking trails WW 03, 05 and 06.

The Vineyard Tour: winegrowing, views and history

The Vineyard Tour heads towards Hörmsdorf and reaches the Kiefer winery. The tour describes spring in the vineyard’s annual cycle. While hiking over Höllberg, you can enjoy wonderful views of Eibiswald and the Radlkamm. The route also leads to the Hörmsdorf colony, a former mining settlement.

This brings together several distinct themes for planning a hike: the vineyard’s annual cycle, views of two named destinations, and the history of a former mining settlement. Those looking for a hike with connections to winegrowing and history will find different points of interest here than on the mountain bike routes. No particular order of these route features is implied.

Comparing mountain bike routes

The Panorama Tour (Eibiswald), No. 102, is a signposted mountain bike tour. From Pichlippi, it descends gently to Hörmsdorf. The gentle descent and destination set this route apart from the Kapuner–St. Pongratzen mountain bike route No. 113.

Route No. 113 passes the ESV Hörmsdorf stock sport facility and continues over the Johannisbrücke to the church. The two tours therefore have different features: for No. 102, the gentle descent and Hörmsdorf as the destination are highlighted; for No. 113, the route past the facility and over the Johannisbrücke to the church. These differences can help you choose a route based on the features described.

Wine and regional products

At Buschenschank Haring-Pichlippi, you’ll find homemade vinegar and pumpkin seed oil. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine there with a beautiful view; wines typical of the region are also available. Opening may vary depending on the season, so check whether the Buschenschank is open before visiting.

The Haring Pichlippi winery includes Schilcher in its wine selection. Wine enthusiasts can therefore find a connection both to a particular wine and to the vineyard’s annual cycle, which is a theme of the Vineyard Tour.

Discover more destinations: Wiel, Zirknitz, Mainsdorf, Eibiswald, Pölfing-Brunn, Wetzelsdorf in Western Styria, Aug, Soboth

Go to the broader travel overview: Deutschlandsberg.