The 40-hectare Stubenbergsee is one of the best-known destinations in the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district. Its shores are entirely undeveloped, and the swimming areas differ considerably. The lively eastern beach has a jumping rock. The family-friendly Strandbad beach offers a sandy shore, a giant slide and a large children’s play area. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, head to the southern shore. The lake can be enjoyed in more than one way: swimming, livelier beach areas and quieter stretches of shore sit side by side.
The approximately three-kilometre-long, illuminated circular path around the lake offers another perspective on Stubenbergsee. It is suitable for running and skating, adding exercise around the lake to the swimming options. Its approximate length helps you plan your route without specifying a walking time.
Wetland and nature park
South of the town of Hartberg lies Hartberger Gmoos, a 70-hectare Natura 2000 wetland. Today it is a local recreation and quiet area. More than 150 bird species have been recorded there—a distinctive feature for anyone interested in birds and wetlands.
Another natural setting is the 124-square-kilometre Pöllauer Tal Nature Park. Its features include the gentle hills of the Rabenwald and species-rich traditional orchards. You can explore three special natural treasures on your own or with experienced nature and landscape guides. Both independent exploration and guided interpretation are available.
Monasteries, churches and history
In Vorau, the Augustinian Canons’ monastery is the only one of its kind still in existence in Styria. The monastery church features an abundance of frescoes, richly gilded wooden sculptures and a lavishly decorated high altar. The Vorau Folk Bible also contributes to the town’s cultural significance: on 14 September 2018, it was added to UNESCO’s Austrian National Memory of the World Register.
Pöllau Castle is located in a former Augustinian Canons’ monastery. The church’s ground plan and imposing domed structure were modelled on St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The courtyards can be viewed from outside; the interiors are accessible only as part of a guided castle tour. If you’d like to see the interiors, check before your visit whether a tour is available. The pilgrimage church of Pöllauberg in Pöllauer Tal Nature Park offers a different architectural accent: it is High Gothic and is one of the most magnificent High Gothic churches in Styria. The Baroque interiors in Vorau and Pöllau contrast with this High Gothic church.
A permanent exhibition in the historic walls of the Hartberg Museum provides a fact-based overview of the town’s history. The Pfeilburg Museum in Fürstenfeld explores the town and history of the border town, smoking culture at the Kruzitürken Museum, and special exhibitions on the collecting activities of Fürstenfeld residents. Its themes thus range from town history to specific cultural and collecting topics.
Those interested in early settlement can follow an approximately 1.5-kilometre-long archaeological trail near Hartberg. It runs alongside a Celtic rampart and includes six stations with information and images about settlement history from the Celts to the Romans. Villa Rustica offers another glimpse into the past: the well-preserved foundations of a large Roman country estate dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD remain there.
Thermal spas, cycling routes and regional character
The district’s four thermal spas are popular destinations. Heilthermen Resort Bad Waltersdorf offers numerous thermal-water pools, nine saunas and wellness treatments such as massages and beauty treatments. Rogner Bad Blumau was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Therme Loipersdorf is also one of the four thermal spas. The available information highlights different features: Bad Waltersdorf’s pools, saunas and treatments are specified, while Rogner Bad Blumau is noted for its design.
Cycling routes offer different levels of challenge. The southern section of the Feistritztal Cycle Route R8 passes through ApfelLand-Stubenbergsee and is a scenic, romantic cycling route. The Three Castles Tour in Hartbergerland is paved throughout; because of its many climbs, it is suitable only for sporty cyclists or e-bike riders. These details help you compare the routes by surface and physical challenge. In the northern part of the district, smaller ski areas offer a combined total of around 11 kilometres of ski runs.
A regional food product is another name associated with the area: Pöllauer Hirschbirne (Pöllau deer pear) has been awarded Protected Designation of Origin status by the European Union. For travel to and around Vorau, the Oststeiermark SAM shared taxi supplements public transport, providing connections for the first and last mile. It offers additional mobility in areas without public transport.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Jakob Im Walde, Bad Waltersdorf, Pöllau, Pöllauberg, Loipersdorf Bei Fürstenfeld, Stubenberg, Söchau, Altenmarkt Bei Fürstenfeld, Fürstenfeld, Neudau, Buch-Geiseldorf, Tiefenbach Bei Kaindorf, Kaindorf, Sankt Stefan, Grafendorf Bei Hartberg, Karnerviertel, Schaueregg, Burgau, Hartberg, Riegersdorf, Sebersdorf, Ebersdorf Bei Hartberg, Wenigzell, Mönichwald, Ilz, Eichberg, Sankt Johann Bei Herberstein, Sankt Lorenzen Am Wechsel, Vorau, Stein, Kaibing, Kleegraben, Schildbach, Geiseldorf, Maierhofbergen, Flattendorf, Penzendorf, Großwilfersdorf, Bad Blumau, Sankt Magdalena Am Lemberg, Sankt Johann In Der Haide, Obertiefenbach and Siebenbrunn.
Go to the main travel overview: Styria.
