Ratsch an der Weinstraße: Wine, Trails and Views

Ratsch an der Weinstraße brings together wine, outdoor activities and scenery in several distinct experiences. The Ratscher Jakobiwanderung features southern Styrian specialities, award-winning wines and music. The Nordic Walking VINOTOUR focuses on group walks with wine tastings along the routes. From the Steiermark-Herzerlbank, you can look out over gentle hills and vineyards. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose between an event held on a set date each year, a tour with Nordic walking instructors and a scenic viewpoint.

The Ratscher Jakobiwanderung on 25 July

The Ratscher Jakobiwanderung takes place every year on 25 July in honour of Saint James, the patron saint of winegrowers. The event features traditional southern Styrian specialities, award-winning wines and music. The route follows forest and meadow trails as well as some paved roads. This event brings together a fixed date, local food, wine and a route with different surfaces. If you would like to plan your stay around the event, 25 July is the key date to keep in mind. The programme may change from year to year, and route details may also vary. Check the information for the relevant year before making the walk a firm part of your travel plans.

A second wine walk

The Nordic Walking VINOTOUR offers another combination of outdoor activity and wine. Two group walks with Nordic walking instructors take place each year, with wine tastings at businesses along the routes. The Jakobiwanderung focuses on 25 July, the celebration of Saint James, local specialities and music. The VINOTOUR differs in that it offers two tours each year, accompanied by instructors, as well as tastings along the routes. If you are choosing between the experiences, consider the date and format: either the annual celebration or group Nordic walking tours with wine tastings.

The South Styrian Wine Road and its landscape

The South Styrian Wine Road runs from Ehrenhausen an der Weinstraße through Gamlitz to Leutschach an der Weinstraße. Between Gamlitz and Leutschach, it runs either through the Sulztal valley or via Ratsch. These are alternative routes, not consecutive sections; Ratsch is one of the named options on the way to Leutschach.

The Steiermark-Herzerlbank adds a scenic highlight. This heart-shaped bench stands at a panoramic viewpoint with sweeping views across the region’s gentle hills and vineyards. While the walks combine outdoor activity with wine or local cuisine, depending on the occasion, the focus here is on the view. The experiences described therefore differ not only in their dates and formats, but also in their focus: an event, a group tour or a scenic view.

Getting around and finding a hotel

WEINmobil takes guests within the region to wineries, Buschenschänken, restaurants and inns, accommodation providers, town centres and starting points for various hiking trails. The destinations listed range from places to enjoy wine and food to places to stay and trailheads. This range may be useful when planning your day if you have different kinds of destinations in mind. The service may change; check the latest WEINmobil information before travelling.

If you are looking for a hotel in Ratsch an der Weinstraße, first decide which experience will shape the dates of your trip. The Ratscher Jakobiwanderung takes place on 25 July; the Nordic Walking VINOTOUR includes two group walks each year, so check the specific dates for your travel year. If you are mainly interested in the wine-growing landscape, you can also include the route of the South Styrian Wine Road and the viewpoint with the Herzerlbank in your travel plans. This lets you decide on the occasion and timing of your visit first, then look for a hotel for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lebring, Flamberg, Neudorf im Sausal, Wolfsberg Im Schwarzautal, Ehrenhausen, Langegg, Gabersdorf, Rettenberg

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