Schloßberg: Heiligengeist Gorge, Culture and Culinary Delights

Discover Schloßberg through its distinctive landscapes and cultural sites, as well as offerings featuring farm products and wine. The Heiligengeist Gorge and Spitzmühle define the landscape, while the Cloverleaf Hiking Trail leads to Schlossberg and crosses the gorge. There is also a memorial site and several places to dine and sample local products. The details below will help you identify the different highlights for your stay.

Landscape and trails

The Heiligengeist Gorge is around 3 km long and designated a protected landscape area. Rocky sections and small waterfalls characterise the gorge. It runs from Spitzmühle near Schloßberg to the Church of Sveti Duh na Ostrem Vrhu/Heiligengeist am Osterberg in Selnica ob Dravi, Slovenia. Its approximate length, landscape features and endpoints offer different points of reference: the length gives an idea of the gorge itself, while the named places locate its course geographically.

Cloverleaf Hiking Trail No. 1 leads to Schlossberg, crosses the Heiligengeist Gorge and reaches the pilgrimage church of Sv. Duh na Ostrem Vruh/Heiligengeist am Osterberg. Parking for the trail is available at the former Schlossberg municipal office and at Spitzmühle. For orientation, it helps to distinguish between the trail and the gorge: the gorge is the section the trail crosses, while the Cloverleaf Hiking Trail is the route with the named destinations. The parking information applies to this hiking trail.

Mill, views and remembrance

The Spitzmühle in Schlossberg is a working watermill rebuilt as a show mill according to old plans, and is also the starting point for the Heiligengeist Gorge. It can be viewed from the outside at any time. It is therefore both a visitor attraction in its own right and a geographical reference point for the gorge: the reconstruction according to old plans describes the building, while its role as a starting point refers to the course of the gorge.

The Schlossbergwarte lookout tower on Montikogel is 23 m tall and offers views across the rolling hills and into neighbouring Slovenia. It is temporarily closed for renovation work. When planning your visit, note the difference from Spitzmühle: the mill can be viewed from outside at any time, while the lookout tower remains closed.

Another cultural landmark is the castle chapel at Trautenburg Castle. In 1999, a memorial plaque was installed in its vestibule to commemorate the three people killed in the bombing on 17 November 1944. The two dates refer to different events: 1944 marks the bombing, while 1999 is when the plaque was installed. This makes the chronology of the memorial clear.

Farm products, wine and wine taverns

Skerget's farm shop offers products from the farm and its own production, including pumpkin seed oil, cured meats, homemade liqueurs and fine spirits. Tastings of selected products are available. Alongside the landscape and cultural sites, local products and tastings are another highlight to consider for your stay.

At the spitzyPeitler winery, set in the Schlossberg landscape, tastings of wines made using traditional methods are offered. Tasting packages and opening hours may change, so ask about current options before your visit.

Buschenschank Strohmeier vlg. Teichbauer serves homemade specialities; please pre-order if you would like a snack platter. As this requirement may change, it is best to check in advance. Buschenschank Stelzl on Hirritschberg offers culinary delights made in-house. A glass of South Styrian wine is recommended with them. As opening times may change, check the current hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Arnfels, Oberhaag, Langegg, Sulztal, Einöd, Gabersdorf, Flamberg, Sankt Georgen An Der Stiefing

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Leibnitz.