The best walks and hikes around Mannersdorf an der Rabnitz

Forest junction, and in its center the cross. The red color has symbolic meaning.

Forestry Museum, accommodation, forest school. Nearby, we can also find an exotic garden, a spring, and a covered tourist rest area. It got its name from the qualified foresters from Styria who were accommodated here and planted rare pine species, e.g., Giant Sequoia, in the Styrian Garden. We find it at an important crossroads: from here, the path leads towards Írott-kő, or to Hétforrás (both are stamping points of the Blue Tour).

We are talking about an iconic spring, widespread among many people, especially among Kéktúra hikers. We find it on most directional signs. In principle (!) its water is drinkable, at least several people present on site drank from it. It is equipped with a well-built rain shelter, with an explanatory sign next to it. It is 200m from the HHH parking lot. The spring itself is located at an altitude of 713m, close to the asphalt road (50m).

This is an iconic place among Hungarian hikers. According to a local legend, whoever drinks from all seven leaders' springs will have one wish fulfilled – but be careful, because the water is really very cold, only 10C. The place is also a picnic area, and a stamping point for the National Blue Tour, but we can also find a rain shelter, benches, tables, and a fireplace. Historical traces of the past can also be found through the ruins of a Border Guard Base.

Not far from Kincs-pihenő (parking lot) we find Ferenc Szálasi's Bunker, and its ventilation opening 50m away, fenced off. The bunker is now "guarded" by a small, decaying house, which is closed and its roof is in ruins. However, you can look inside, where a spiral staircase leads down to the 2-story deep hideout. The history of the place is described on a forest panel.

In view of the wayside cross standing here, painted red (since it bears the body of Christ, it is technically a crucifix), I would like to offer a meditative thought to the viewer lingering at this spot. The last words of Jesus at his crucifixion, "It is finished" (John 19:30), as recorded in the biblical writings of the Evangelist John in his version of the 'Good News' (this is the meaning of the word 'Gospel'), are commented on by the Evangelical Lutheran pastor Dr. Theo Lehmann, in a publication by the Neukirchen Calendar Publishing House, writes: "Regarding this saying of Jesus, which in Greek is actually just a single word (...). The mission of the heavenly Father, the life's work of Jesus [Christ], is the redemption of humanity. This mission is accomplished—completely, definitively, and valid for all people of all times. We need do nothing for our salvation, and we can do nothing for it. Jesus has done everything. It is finished!" (Source: T. Lehmann in "God's Word for Every Day")

The small sacred monument we encounter on the Geschriebenstein, in the form of a summit cross, is—besides the view it offers—perhaps also the perfect place for a brief moment of reflection. A few years ago, Christiane Völkel commented on the wonderfully fitting sentence by the Italian poet Francesco Petrarch (who lived in the 14th century), "Everywhere one has heaven above oneself," as follows: "What is the use of prayer? This question moves me (...) I have found for myself the answer and the certainty that when I pray I am with the Lord, or rather, that when I pray he is often noticeably closer to me than usual. Thus, I retain the possibility of pouring out my heart to him (...) This intimacy with him makes me believe in him."

The 14 stations were built in 1890 based on the plans of Ludwig Schöne. In 1895, reliefs were added to the station booths. The remaining pieces of the old stations from 1763 were walled into the church fence. Source: https://csendhegyek.blogspot.com/2013/07/koszeg-kalvaria.html