Rail & Trail "Trade, mountain farming idyll & gold rush"

The historic market town of Greifenburg was the medieval trading and administrative center of the Upper Drau Valley. The castle secured through traffic and the market flourished in its shadow from 1166. Even today, numerous historic buildings tell of this heyday - so take the time to explore. Today, the castle is a pretty palace in private ownership.

The ascent through the sun-drenched valley flank then begins. A narrow farm road leads us leisurely higher. Short sections of forest offer quiet glimpses, open meadows open up wonderful views. Later, proud farms, steep meadows and old wayside shrines lend the trail an idyllic mountain farming atmosphere. After the last farm, we walk down a forest path into the Radlbach ditch. The imposing retaining barrier is a reminder of the destructive power of this inconspicuous stream. Well - life in the mountains is more than just idyllic! A short forest ascent leads past the idyllic Ranner-Hof farm, then the descent through the cultivated mountain landscape begins.

The trail ends at the historic mining village of Steinfeld in Drautal. Its heyday began in the 15th century with washed gold and precious metals, but only lasted a short time. At the end of the 16th century, the village began to decline. Nevertheless, historic miners' houses, the mountain judge's house and other traces still tell of the former "gold rush". The Steinfeld train station in the Drau Valley is not far away.