A region between Erzberg and the high mountains
A converted heavy-duty truck with 1,217 hp drives right through the Erzberg open-pit mine: the Hauly brings the scale of this remarkable place to life. Rock has been mined here for more than 1,300 years; Erzberg is the largest open-pit mine in Central Europe. This unusual introduction reveals a side of Styria where human work and striking landscapes meet.
The landscape ranges from the Dachstein Glacier to alpine pastures, forests and lakes, as well as wine-growing areas in the south and east. At 2,995 metres, the Dachstein is the highest mountain in Styria. Alpine landscapes sit alongside very different impressions, such as wine-growing areas and trails that offer a taste of regional cuisine.
Experience nature and discover the contrasts
Gesäuse National Park is the only national park in Styria. Between Admont and Hieflau, the Enns meets sheer limestone walls and alpine forests; the Buchstein massif and the Hochtor group frame the area. The river, rock faces and mountains give the landscape its distinctive character.
Thousands of kilometres of marked hiking trails are available in Styria. In the Gesäuse, you can explore nature on marked trails by hiking, climbing and biking; rafting is also among the activities on offer. Guided hikes in the national park focus on geology, wildlife, forests and water. You can choose to focus on the landscape, wildlife or how nature works.
The night sky offers another way to explore: astrophotography workshops are held in the Eisenwurzen Nature Night Reserve, where you can experience the region’s dark skies. The programme may vary seasonally, so check which dates are available when planning your visit.
Technology, architecture and living heritage
The Semmering Railway combines a history of engineering with a landscape made more accessible by its construction. Built across 41 kilometres of high mountain terrain between 1848 and 1854, it has operated continuously since 1854. As a result, areas of great scenic beauty also developed as places to live and spend leisure time.
In Graz, the UNESCO World Heritage site “City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg” bears witness to the living heritage of a Central European urban complex. The Joanneumsviertel offers a distinct experience: historic buildings and modern architecture bring together art, natural sciences and literature.
Religious history can also be explored in different ways. The museums at Admont Abbey offer insights into the lives of the Benedictines. The Basilica of Mariazell lies at the heart of the pilgrimage town of Mariazell in the Mariazell region, which has attracted visitors from all over the world for centuries.
Riegersburg Castle stands atop a 482-metre-high volcanic rock and also hosts a birds of prey flight show. At the Dachstein, the Skywalk, suspension bridge and Stairway to Nothingness are just a few minutes from the mountain station. These examples show how nature experiences, distinctive structures and specific attractions differ across Styria.
Apples, wine and regional cuisine
The 25-kilometre Styrian Apple Road connects orchards, cider taverns, farm shops and direct sellers. Along its hiking trails, you can experience apples with all your senses. Hundreds of Buschenschänken, traditional wine taverns, also shape Styrian food and wine culture.
Culinary hiking trails combine alpine pastures, apple orchards and vineyards with regional cuisine. While the Apple Road has a specific focus, these trails bring together several types of landscapes and culinary experiences. When choosing accommodation, it may help to weigh up your interests first: high mountains and marked trails, culture and technology, or regional cuisine each give your trip a different focus.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Bruck an der Mur, Deutschlandsberg, Feldbach, FĂĽrstenfeld, Graz-Umgebung, Hartberg-FĂĽrstenfeld, Judenburg, Knittelfeld, Leibnitz, Leoben, Liezen, Murau, MĂĽrzzuschlag, Radkersburg, Voitsberg, Weiz, Mitterbach, Southeast Styria, Murtal.
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