Via Alpina Purple A14

The Via Alpina Purple A14 is a point-to-point stage of approximately 17 km in the southern Koralpe range of Styria, Austria, ascending from Soboth (1,057 m) to the Weintrattl ridge at 1,427 m before dropping to the market town of Eibiswald (383 m). Rated moderate, the stage combines around 370 m of elevation gain with a knee-testing 1,044 m descent through mixed forest, open ridgelines, and traditional Styrian farmland.

About the Via Alpina Purple A14

Stage A14 belongs to the Via Alpina Purple Trail, one of the most celebrated long-distance walking routes in the Alps. Stretching approximately 1,045 km across Slovenia, Austria, and Germany in 66 official stages, the Purple Trail links the Julian Alps near Bovec with the Allgäu market town of Oberstdorf. With over 50,000 m of combined ascent and descent across the full route, it holds International Walking Network (IWN) status — a designation reserved for the world’s most significant long-distance paths. Stage A14 sits in the early Austrian section, crossing from the high Carinthian plateau of Soboth into the wine-growing lowlands of southwestern Styria.

The defining feature of the stage is the Weintrattl ridge at 1,427 m, where the Koralpe mountain range opens a panorama stretching south to the Karawanken chain and the Julian Alps, and north toward the rolling green hills of Styria. The descent from the Weintrattl to Eibiswald loses more than 1,000 m across roughly 11 km — a long, forest-shaded plunge on root-crossed paths that demands trekking poles and confident footwork. Hikers who underestimate the cumulative strain of this descent on tired legs often regret it by the last kilometre into Eibiswald.

The Purple Trail’s Austrian section is among the richest in cultural contrast. The trail enters Carinthia through the Karawanken range near the Slovenian border and crosses into Styria at stage A14, beginning a long traverse that eventually reaches the Berchtesgaden Alps and Bavaria. Stage A14 specifically embodies this transition: from the Slavic-influenced Carinthian borderlands to the Styrian wine country, compressed into a single day’s walking. For thru-hikers tackling all 66 stages, A14 marks a milestone — the first true entry into the Austrian interior after the high Karawanken crossing.

The Koralpe range (also spelled Koralm) straddles the Carinthia–Styria border and reaches its highest point at the Großer Speikkogel (2,141 m). Stage A14 crosses its southern flank well below the summit plateau, through spruce and beech forest interrupted by open meadows and isolated farmsteads. In late spring and early summer the higher sections bloom with gentian, alpine clover, and wood anemone. Signage follows the purple diamond waymark and the trail is well maintained throughout. The official Via Alpina portal is the authoritative source for GPX downloads and current trail conditions. Maintenance in Austria is coordinated by the Österreichischer Alpenverein (Austrian Alpine Club) in partnership with regional tourism bodies.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A14 runs from Soboth to Eibiswald as two distinct sections: an uphill first half to the Weintrattl ridge and a long descending second half to the Saggau valley floor. The table below places the stage alongside four neighbouring stages for route-planning context across the early Austrian section of the Purple Trail.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Weintrattl ridge (1,427 m): The high point of the stage and its defining moment. On a clear day the open ridge delivers an unobstructed panorama south toward the Karawanken chain and the Julian Alps in Slovenia, and north into the rolling green hills of western Styria. This is the place to stop, eat, and look back at how far the route has climbed from Soboth — before the long descent begins.
• Soboth high plateau: The starting village sits on an unusual elevated plateau at around 1,057 m in Carinthia. Its scattered farmhouses, sawmill, and surrounding spruce forest give the stage a quiet, remote opening that belies the terrain ahead. A small inn serves breakfast and can prepare packed lunches for early starters.
• Koralpe forest belt: Below the Weintrattl, the trail descends through one of southern Austria’s most intact beech and spruce landscapes. Ancient trees shade the path for much of the upper descent, with periodic clearings that reveal the valley widening toward the Styrian plains. Old logging roads occasionally merge with the trail — follow the purple waymarks carefully at these intersections.
• Schilcherland wine region: As the path nears Eibiswald it enters the Schilcherland, Styria’s distinctive wine zone centred on the Blauer Wildbacher grape. This late-ripening variety produces the local Schilcher rosé — tangy, mineral, and unique to this corner of Austria. Vineyard terraces and Buschenschänken (farm taverns) begin appearing in the final kilometres.
• Eibiswald market town: The stage finishes in Eibiswald (383 m), a neat market town in the district of Deutschlandsberg. Its central square, parish church of St Martin, and cluster of guesthouses make a comfortable end-of-day stop. Several Buschenschänken within 15 minutes of the trail finish serve local wine and cold Brettljause plates.
• Purple Trail waymarks: The distinctive purple diamond blazes keep navigation straightforward even in dense forest. Wooden signposts at key junctions near the Weintrattl give stage distances in both directions — useful for timing the descent to catch afternoon transport from Eibiswald.
• Saggau valley panoramas: In the lower section of the descent, the trail opens periodically onto eastward views down the Saggau valley — orchards, church spires, and farmland extending toward Leibnitz and the Mur valley. These clearings are among the most photogenic on the stage and worth a brief halt.
• Alpine wildflowers (June–July): Grassy slopes around the Weintrattl ridge carry a strong selection of alpine wildflowers in early summer: yellow gentian, alpine clover, wood anemone, and orchid species on meadow edges in wetter years. The floral display peaks in the third week of June.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A14

The hiking season runs from mid-May to early October. As of 2026, the Koralpe snowpack at the Weintrattl elevation (1,427 m) typically clears by mid-May in normal years, though late-lying snow patches may persist on north-facing forest tracks into early June. Below Soboth the lower paths can also be wet and slippery until the ground firms up after snowmelt.

June offers long daylight, uncrowded trails, and spectacular wildflower displays on the Weintrattl ridge. The forest feels lush after snowmelt and Soboth holds a cool, clean atmosphere. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout June — plan to cross the exposed ridge section before midday by leaving Soboth no later than 7:30.

July is the single best month for stage A14. Temperatures on the ridge average 15–18 °C at midday, the trail is firmly dry underfoot, and the Buschenschänken in Eibiswald are open and well-stocked with the first Schilcher of the season. Storm frequency remains elevated but storms are typically confined to late afternoon — experienced Alpine hikers start early and are off exposed terrain by 13:00.

August is warm and settled, though the forest sections below the Weintrattl can feel humid on still days. Accommodation in Eibiswald fills up faster in August than in any other month. September is increasingly popular with experienced hikers: cooler mornings, reliable blue-sky windows, and the beginning of the grape harvest in the Schilcherland give the lower part of the stage a festive character. The Buschenschänken extend their hours during harvest weeks. Snow can arrive on Koralpe summits by mid-October, making late-season hiking unpredictable above 1,200 m.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Overnight options are limited on stage A14, reflecting the rural character of the Koralpe. In Soboth, the local Gasthof provides simple rooms and evening meals for around €45–60 per person B&B. Book well ahead in July and August — the village has very few rooms relative to Purple Trail demand, and walkers occasionally find themselves sharing the inn with local forestry workers who take long-stay bookings. On the trail between Soboth and the Weintrattl there are no staffed huts, though a basic open Schutzhütte near the ridge provides emergency cover. The nearest staffed alpine hut — accessible by a short off-route detour — charges approximately €25–35 per person for bunk accommodation.

In Eibiswald, several Gasthäuser and small guesthouses charge approximately €50–80 per person for a double room with breakfast. The Buschenschänken do not offer overnight accommodation but are the recommended first stop after arriving: a glass of Schilcher and a Brettljause (cured-meat board) before checking in makes for one of the better stage finishes on the entire Purple Trail. Wild camping in the forest belt above Eibiswald is tolerated under Austrian custom, provided no fire is lit and the site is left clean.

Getting There & Back

Stage A14 is point-to-point, so logistics require either two cars or public transport coordination. To reach Soboth: the nearest rail connection is Wolfsberg in the Lavanttal (Carinthia), approximately 28 km away, served by the S6 regional train from Graz Hauptbahnhof (journey time approximately 1 hour 40 minutes). From Wolfsberg a taxi or pre-arranged private transfer covers the remaining distance to Soboth; no year-round scheduled bus serves the village reliably. Budget €30–45 for the taxi leg.

From Eibiswald: regional bus Line 350 connects to Deutschlandsberg (18 km, approximately 30 minutes), from where trains run to Graz Hauptbahnhof on the S6 line (50 minutes). The nearest international gateway is Graz Airport (GRZ), around 65 km from Eibiswald — a direct taxi costs approximately €70–90, or combine the regional bus to Deutschlandsberg with the train onward to Graz and the airport shuttle.

Permits & Fees

No permits or trail fees are required to hike stage A14 or any section of the Via Alpina Purple Trail in Austria. Austrian forest law (Forstgesetz) grants free recreational access to forest land for foot traffic. No national park boundaries apply along this stage. Open emergency shelters on the Koralpe request a voluntary donation of €2–3. The only genuine costs are accommodation and meals — roughly €50–100 per person per day all-in, depending on your choices at Soboth and Eibiswald.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A14’s 1,044 m descent demands gear that protects knees and maintains traction on root-strewn, occasionally muddy forest paths. A 35–65 litre pack works well for multi-day thru-hiking of the Purple Trail, with lighter volumes suited to guesthouse-to-guesthouse walkers who keep base weight around 7–9 kg. For a fully loaded multi-week traverse, the Osprey Aether 65 provides the volume and suspension needed over long Austrian sections. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 is a lighter setup with excellent back ventilation — well-suited to the humid forest descent below the Weintrattl. For those balancing capacity and weight on guesthouse stages, the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 offers a practical middle ground.

Essential items for stage A14:

• Trekking poles: Non-negotiable for the descent to Eibiswald. Carbon poles reduce cumulative knee strain on the 1,044 m drop significantly.
• Waterproof jacket: Alpine thunderstorms can build with 20 minutes’ notice above 1,200 m. A packable hardshell weighing under 400 g is sufficient for summer conditions.
• Trail or mountain boots: Ankle support is important on the rooted descent below the Weintrattl. Low-cut trail runners are viable for experienced hikers with strong ankles and proprioception.
• 2-litre water capacity: No reliable water source exists between Soboth and the lower forest section below the Weintrattl. Carry 2 litres from the inn and refill at the first marked forest spring below the ridge.
• Navigation: Download the GPX track from via-alpina.org before departure. Forest junctions below the Weintrattl can be confusing in poor visibility or mist.
• Sun protection: The Weintrattl ridge offers no shade for the 30–40 minutes spent crossing it. SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, and a buff or hat are essential in July and August.
• Blister kit: The long descent consistently causes hot spots on the ball of the foot and little toe. Two pairs of merino wool hiking socks and a pack of hydrocolloid patches prevent a painful evening in Eibiswald.

For a full pack-selection review before a multi-day Alpine traverse, our 2026 ultralight backpack rankings test seven leading packs across conditions similar to the Koralpe forest sections. To calculate your daily calorie needs for a stage with significant descent, how many calories do you need hiking a full day breaks down the numbers by body weight and terrain type — descending 1,000 m burns more than most hikers expect.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Hikers who enjoy the ridge-and-descent rhythm of stage A14 tend to gravitate toward other Austrian long-distance routes with similar character. The Adlerweg (Eagle’s Way) is the most natural companion — a 413 km traverse of Tyrol combining high ridge walking with valley descents not unlike the Koralpe section. For a more concentrated alpine experience, the Stubaier Höhenweg delivers glaciated high-level terrain in a compact 5–6 day circuit. The Berliner Höhenweg in the Zillertal Alps packs demanding elevation into a dramatic multi-day traverse. For those drawn to the full Via Alpina concept of crossing entire mountain countries on foot, JK01 and JK02 (each 720 km across Austria) offer extended thru-hiking programmes that place stage A14 in a much broader Alpine context. If the frontier spirit of remote Alpine border crossings appeals, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania shares the same demanding, reward-rich character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike Via Alpina Purple A14?
July is the best month. The Weintrattl ridge is reliably snow-free, temperatures at altitude average 15–18 °C, and the Buschenschänken in Eibiswald are open for the first Schilcher of the season. June is excellent for wildflowers but brings more frequent afternoon thunderstorms. September offers cooler mornings, reliable blue skies, and the grape harvest atmosphere in the Schilcherland vineyards below Eibiswald.

How difficult is stage A14?
The stage is rated moderate. The ascent from Soboth to the Weintrattl involves around 370 m of climb on a clear, well-marked path — tiring but not technical. The real challenge is the 1,044 m descent to Eibiswald on rooted forest tracks: reliable footwear, trekking poles, and good knee condition are essential. Most hikers complete the stage in 6–7 hours at a comfortable pace with rest stops at the ridge.

How far should I expect to walk each day on the Via Alpina Purple Trail?
Individual Purple Trail stages range from 7 to 35 km, averaging around 16–18 km per day across all 66 stages. Stage A14 is approximately 17 km. Experienced thru-hikers occasionally combine two shorter adjacent stages; beginners are better served by the official breakdown, which places overnight stops at logical endpoints with available accommodation and transport.

Where should I sleep on stage A14?
The standard plan is the Gasthof in Soboth the night before departure (B&B from around €45–60 per person) and a Gasthof in Eibiswald at the end of the day (€50–80 per person). An emergency Schutzhütte sits near the Weintrattl ridge but is not staffed. Book both ends well in advance for July and August — Soboth in particular has very limited room capacity relative to Purple Trail foot traffic.

Do I need permits to hike stage A14?
No permits or entry fees are required anywhere along stage A14. Austrian forest law grants free recreational access to the forest sections, and no national park boundaries apply on this stage. Open shelters on the Koralpe request a voluntary €2–3 donation. Total costs are limited to accommodation and meals — roughly €50–100 per person per day all-in, depending on whether you eat at the Gasthof or a Buschenschank in Eibiswald.