From farm to farm: Hikers enjoyed nature and cuisine in the Scharten

Wrapped up warmly in thick jackets, many hikers were already out on the cherry blossom hike in the Scharten on Sunday morning. Luckily, the sun soon broke through the cloud cover. At the Firlingerhof the seats in the inner courtyard were already filling up around midday. “We have to set up more tables and benches, things are going quite well,” Horst Hubmer, the boss of the Firlingerhof, instructed his employees. He showed some of his guests his latest investment, a “fogging and smoking machine,” which he uses in the fruit crops when there is a risk of frosty nights.

As a precautionary measure, the participating Schartner fruit farmers had set up tents in the past few days based on the weather forecasts and prepared rooms for the hikers to warm up. Luckily it stayed dry yesterday apart from a short shower. The Galter family from Hellmonsödt took part in the cherry blossom hike for the first time with their two children: “We really like the landscape, now we’ll fortify ourselves a bit at one of the farms.”

Yesterday there was a huge crowd at Norbert and Alexandra Lehner’s farm, where folk music star Marc Pircher set the mood. “We are happy that so many hikers came. The whole family is involved, my three children, nieces and nephews,” says Norbert Lehner.

Nature park managing director Rainer Silber estimates that up to 4,000 hikers were out and about yesterday and enjoyed the beautiful landscape despite the cherry trees that had already faded. Because of the extraordinary spring, nature is around three weeks ahead this year.

Cycling races and cider food

The next events are the cherry blossom bike race on April 28th and the Schartner Mostkost on May 1st, 3rd and 4th. The “My Favorite Place in Obst-Hügel-Land” competition runs until May 5th, with prizes including regional specialties.