Wine-making traditions, hiking trails and a cross-border route shape the character of Klöch. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between the long circular hike, the wine experiences and the traces of border history. This makes it easier to decide which discoveries you want to focus on during your stay.

Hiking around Klöch

The Klöcher Traminerweg is a 13.5-kilometre circular hiking trail through the market town; the walking time is about five hours. It starts at the Klöch Vinothek and includes 20 stations on the subject of wine. As an experience trail, it also offers viewpoints. Yellow and grey signs, as well as a red rose symbol, help with navigation. The Hochwarth loop and the Seindl loop are the two named sections of the Traminerweg. With the stated walking time, the circular hike is a separate item on your itinerary, so you can plan enough time for it.

The Traminerweg can be reached by car or bus; parking is available and free of charge. As parking regulations can change, check them before setting off. Another option is the Klöch full moon hikes, which start at 7:00 p.m. each time at Klöch Market Square. Dates may change from year to year, so check the hike dates in advance.

Another route follows the cross-border Way of Friendship. It also starts at the Klöch Vinothek, passes through the town towards the golf course and continues to the border at Pölten. From there, it crosses the Slovenian hill country and then returns to Austria. The market town of Klöch created the route together with the Slovenian municipality of Cankova. Alongside the Traminerweg, this route stands out for expressly crossing the border.

Wine, volcanic soil and regional products

Klöch’s vineyards were first mentioned in official records in 1444. Volcanic soil and a mild climate foster a variety of culinary and cultural offerings in Klöch. The wine-making tradition is also reflected in the Vinothek: it has 106 wine cabinets stocked with quality wines from the Klöch wine region in all styles. The number of cabinets may change; check the current selection if this information is important for your visit. A tasting corner invites you to discover and sample regional products from farm-gate producers. Wine and regional produce are therefore part of a specific offering at the same location.

The landscape can also be explored through its geological features. The Klöch basalt quarry offers a glimpse into the interior of a volcano. This adds another theme to the wine and hiking trails: the volcanic bedrock, which also helps define the local character.

Border history and historic sites

The Customs Guard Exhibition Room is located in the former Pölten border crossing, along the Way of Friendship and right beside the Peace Bridge between Klöch and Fiksinci. To see the exhibits, you need to arrange an appointment through the market town’s municipal office. Plan your visit only after making an appointment. The site connects the history of the former border crossing with the route of the cross-border trail, but visitors should not assume that they can drop in without prior arrangements.

The parish church of St. George in Klöch also has a long documented history: it was first mentioned in official records in 1350. Klöch Castle Ruins, on the other hand, are currently not open to the public: the entire site is closed until further notice due to the risk of falling rocks. Before planning a visit, check whether the closure is still in effect. This way, you can include historical sites in your travel plans while taking their specific visiting conditions into account.

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