Kitzeck im Sausal lies at an altitude of 564 m and is Austria’s highest wine-growing village. Wine trails, panoramic views and cultural history reveal different sides of the place. When planning your visit, it helps to consider the various destinations: the Sausal Wine Road winds through the landscape, while several hiking trails connect specific places and attractions.
Wine Country and the Sausal Wine Road
The Sausal Wine Road branches off in Fresing and leads through mixed woodland to Kitzeck. There, it takes you to Austria’s highest vineyards; from Kitzeck, the road continues to Demmerkogel. You can explore the Sausal Wine Road by car, by bicycle or on foot. This lets you choose how to get around to suit your own travel plans, without limiting the road to just one way of travelling.
One notable landmark along the Wine Road is Kitzeck Parish Church. It sits on a scenic hill and offers sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. This connects the road route with a specific viewpoint and a historic building.
Hiking Trails with Different Destinations
The Kitzeck Wine Hiking Trail K8 passes through the Kroisgraben, by an old water mill, fishponds and a lavender field, before returning to the Kitzeck Wine Museum. Parking for the K8 is available opposite the municipal office or near the Raiffeisenbank. The nearest railway station for the trail is in Leibnitz. This information offers practical guidance when planning your journey to the hiking trail.
The K8’s 8a variant is a connecting trail to the K2 and leads to Demmerkogel. Another route, the Kitzeck–Einöd Trail K3, leads to Einöd and the Malli winery, which is described as Austria’s steepest wine-growing operation. On the return journey, the K3 follows the old Roman road. After a steady climb through Hochbrudersegg, the Kitzeck–Demmerkogel Loop K4 leads to Demmerkogel at an altitude of 671 m. The destinations clearly distinguish the trails: the wine museum, Einöd with the old Roman road, and Demmerkogel each offer a different focus.
Demmerkogel and Nearby Destinations
The world’s largest Klapotetz stands on Demmerkogel. It is 17 m tall and is located within the municipality of St. Andrä-Höch. The largest Klapotetz in the wider area around Kitzeck is freely accessible. The Kitzeck–Demmerkogel Loop K4 also leads to this destination.
West of Kitzeck, the Schmetterlingswiese (Butterfly Meadow) lies on the southwestern slope of Demmerkogel. In the surrounding area, the Great Adventure at Demmerkogel covers 3,856 m and eight adventure stations on its way to the Schmetterlingswiese nature reserve at the highest point of Demmerkogel. The meadow and the trail offer two distinct starting points for excursions in this area.
Wine Museum and Parish Church
The 1st Styrian Wine Museum in Kitzeck opened in 1979 and is housed in the rooms of an old farmhouse. It displays traditional farming household items and presents the development of cellar-based winemaking with information boards and associated tools. The museum thus focuses on rural life and the history of winegrowing.
Kitzeck Parish Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and was built between 1640 and 1644. Its high altar features a Pietà . The church’s furnishings also include a mechanical cone-chest organ (I/8) with a detached console. It was built in 1896 as Opus 9 by Conrad Hopferwieser of Graz, is a listed monument and is now played only rarely. Visitors interested in architectural history, religious art or organs will find specific historical details here alongside the scenic views from the hilltop.
Discover more destinations: Neurath, Wolfsberg Im Schwarzautal, Seggauberg, Zieregg, Arnfels, Ratsch An Der Weinstraße, Fötschach, Gemeinde Pistorf
For the overview of the wider area: Leibnitz.
