The real Speik - a silent Star Each August, when the first fogs are rising from the valley, the Speik’s leaves turn yellow and harvest time is here. Dug up from the ground with a special tool called "Speikkramperl", sorted out from the rest of the flora and bound into bunches. Mentioned in Documents Stories, the map of walks and scientific papers are reporting on geographic names like Speikkogel, Speikbichel, Speikboden, Speikleiten as well as the Large and the Small Speikkofel.

The alpine valerian contains valuable and sought-after substances, which turn it into a medicinal and fragrant plant. Strangely, the scent is not given off by the blossom, but rather the roots. Skillful extraction results in the essential nard oil, the composition of ingredients is diverse and, until today, cannot be produced synthetically.

Each August, when the first fogs are rising from the valley, the Speik’s leaves turn yellow and harvest time is here.

Until the beginnings of the 20th century the dried plant was sold to Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Morocco and the Sudan. In North Africa brides were perfumed with Speik oil, Maria Magdalena anointed Jesus with nard oil. Hence a former name of the plant: Maria-Magdalena flower.

Big places of transshipment were Venice and Trieste; tons of Speik were shipped in Venice every year. For centuries, border crossers transported loads of Speik over the mountains with horses - villages and towns gained recognition due to the Speik trade, also as trading centers or terminals.

A study clearly shows that the Speik reproduces best of all in case of picking half of it. In the context of a national-park project, two farmers from Saureggen near Ebene Reichenau harvest the Speik.

Speik as a Medicine

Besides cosmetics and the use as aroma drug, Speik was primarily known in medical science as the medicinal plant valeriana celtica, subspecies norica. Medical writings from around the Birth of Christ show that Speik was applied as medicine, and through the centuries it has always been used as a medical active substance. Usual indications are:

• against convulsive ailments
• strengthening of the stomach and diuretic
• against fever and toothache
• cardiac stimulant and tonic
• against fainting fit and dizziness
• general restorative for brain and limbs.

A document dated 1586 AC even claims that "drunk from vinegar, it helps against violent growth of liver and yellow jaundice."

Wellnes-hiking where the Speik grows. In our region, "Celtic Valerian", a nearly forgotten medicinal plant, which only grows in our Nockberge National Park, is going through a renaissance. Because of excessive use, the medical plant "Celtic Valerian" got into severe difficulties, though the plant nowadays became legally registered and forbidden to collect. On chosen hiking trails around Bad Kleinkirchheim you may enjoy the Celtic Valerian’s seductive smell. Just relax in a foothbath with "Celtic Valerian" oil in one of our romantic cottages. All your senses are dipping into an alpine Wellness-adventure.

A treat for your legs

Refresh your legs in the crystal-clear "water troughs". It is a special treat to put your tired legs in a wonderfully cooling footbath.

Muscles are released while a pleasurable freshness revives the entire body. Anointed with Speick oil, it will seem as though your legs set off to the next Speick adventure all by themselves.

Speick natural cosmetics

In cooperation with Walter Rau Speickwerk, our Speik huts offer a selection of natural Speick cosmetic products.

Speik Strolls What We Have in Store for You selected Speik strolls the bewitching scent of the Speik plant 11 alpine lodges with a real local flavor, offering Speik footbaths in original wooden troughs hearty Carinthian delicacies

The globally unique Speik plant, native on the picturesque hilltops of the Nock Mountains, is luring sensitive hiking freaks. With its tangy-fresh, spicy fragrance, the tender little plant becomes the star of the hiking year - in particular in the months of July and August, guests can be guaranteed a bath in the plant’s wonderful scent.

Adventure routes will lead you across charming heights, through the Nock Mountains’ unparalleled landscape, past thousand-year-old Swiss stone pines, into romantic valleys.

A perfect addition to these bewitching scent rambles are the hearty and substantial Carinthian delicacies served in the traditional mountain lodges. Try and taste, for example the "Gelbe Suppn" (yellow soup), the "Ritschert", the yellowish, sweet shredded egg pancake or hearty and tasty farmer’s bread, bacon and sausages

Speik-Huts