Rail & Trail "Burgjuwel Taggenbrunn - harmony between vines, deep views and the art of living"

The starting point is the medieval center of power in Carinthia: the ducal town of St. Veit an der Glan. From St. Veit a.d.Glan train station, we initially hike through the green settlements of the city belt, then along a farm road through the riverside forest of the Wimitzbach stream and the fields of the valley plain. A first glimpse of the striking Taggenbrunn hilltop castle makes you think: "So Carinthia was ruled from up there in the Middle Ages!" At the railroad tracks, we overcome the first terrain level and reach the foot of the castle hill via quiet side roads. We quickly ascend through steep, dense mountain forest on a natural forest path. Halfway up, we reach a terrace with a magnificent view of St. Veit. The castle with its modern panoramic elevator, which starts here, is enthroned above. Now we are immersed in a landscape full of harmony: Vines, architecture in the field of tension between history and modernity and art. A panoramic high-level path leads us along the edge of the vineyards and slightly downhill around the mountain to the new Taggenbrunn winery. The late Gothic granary on the left is a rare testimony to its time. And the 12-metre-high sculpture of the earth goddess shortly afterwards - a nature spirit protecting Taggenbrunn and its visitors - was created by André Heller. The ascent to the summit follows a beautiful footpath through a sea of vines. We finally reach the highest point at Taggenbrunn Castle (636 m) - congratulations! We are rewarded with an extraordinary panoramic view across the vineyards to the St. Veiter basin, the Zollfeld and as far as the Hochosterwitz fortress. The descent leads through vineyards again, but this time with atmospheric scenery. Who would have expected Italian Abruzzo flair in Carinthia? At the foot of the castle hill, the ambience changes: urban everyday life continues to accompany us. We follow the main road on a footpath and walk through a residential area back to St. Veit a.d.Glan station.