Reithberg

The Reithberg is a 460-metre hill in the rolling countryside of eastern Styria. It stands between the villages of Kirchbach in Steiermark and Kirchberg an der Raab, close to where the land drops into the valley of the Raab. The hill forms a watershed: streams on its north-eastern side flow through the Reithgrabenbach and the Raab into the Danube, while those on the south-western side travel via the Tössengraben, the Saßbach and the Drau to the same river. The site is recognised for its clear divide between two river systems. The Toter Mann and the Hochegg are the nearest passes on either side of the ridge. Walkers can follow paths that trace the boundary line where water changes direction. From the summit there are wide views across the patchwork of fields and vineyards that cover the surrounding hills. The Raab valley lies to the south-west, while the higher land of the dead and the Hochegg can be seen to the north-east. The contrast between the two drainage patterns is visible on clear days.