Stubenberg Lake offers several ways to enjoy the water across its 40-hectare surface: there are pedal boats, a surfing and sailing school, and a sightseeing boat with 60 seats. The area also features historic buildings, gardens and trails through a variety of natural landscapes. When looking for accommodation in Stubenberg, you can start by considering which of these aspects of the area you want to shape your trip.
Water and trails at Stubenberg Lake
If you enjoy spending time on the water, there is a surfing and sailing school as well as pedal boats. The sightseeing boat has 60 seats. For exercise on land, the approximately 3 km illuminated circular trail around Stubenberg Lake is suitable for running, skating, walking and Nordic walking. This means there are different options even within a single trip to the lake: you can combine an activity on the water with a walk along the shore, or make the trail itself the main focus.
As maintenance conditions can vary, check the trail conditions before your visit. If you’re looking for a route with an ascent rather than a loop around the lake, consider the Kulm Trail: it climbs from Stubenberg Lake to just below the summit of the Kulm. Check the route conditions before setting out, too.
Castles, palaces and churches in Stubenberg
Neuhaus Castle was built around 1350 by the Styrian noble family of Stubenberg. Stubenberg Palace has a different history: the site dates back to the 13th century and was developed into a palace in the 16th century on the foundations of the old castle’s manor farm. Baroque Schielleiten Palace belongs to a later period; it was built in the early 18th century by the Imperial Counts of Wurmbrand-Stuppach.
Schielleiten Palace has long been a venue for cultural events, including the “Schielleitner Barockabende” concert series. If you’d like to combine your visit with a concert, check the dates separately. The church’s history also reaches far back: the first Church of St. Nicholas in Stubenberg is said to have been consecrated as early as 1113. St. Nicholas Parish Church was rebuilt between 1758 and 1760, replacing a small medieval church.
Gardens and nature around Herberstein
Herberstein Animal World offers talks during feedings, historic gardens, a visit to the Gironcoli Museum and an adventurous tour of the palace. On a guided tour of the historic garden at Herberstein Garden Palace, visitors can learn about European garden culture. The gardens at the palace date back to the 16th century. The House of Biodiversity reopened as part of STEIERMARK SCHAU 2023 and remains open to visitors even after the exhibition has ended.
Feistritz Gorge is Styria’s first NATURA 2000 European protected area. It can only be explored during the opening hours of Herberstein Garden Palace and Herberstein Animal World, and with a valid admission ticket. Check the current opening hours before your visit. Herberstein Gorge stretches from Stubenberg Lake to St. Johann bei Herberstein. The two gorge names therefore refer to different landscapes and should not be confused when planning your trip.
Routes and other experiences
The Kreilkogeltour HB4 starts in Stubenberg, passes Neuhaus Castle and the Kreilkogl, and returns to Stubenberg in a wide loop. The Herberstein Trail follows a different route: it leads from Stubenberg town centre to Stubenberg Lake, continues to Herberstein Animal World and ends in St. Johann bei Herberstein.
Steinmann Children’s Adventure Park is right next to the east car park at Stubenberg Lake. Alongside the modular 12-hole mini-golf course, there are trampolines, an Aquadrom, go-karts, a train, a carousel, giant chess and table tennis. For a different kind of outing, Zunzis Bogen-Gstättn has a 3D archery course with 30 lifelike animal decoys. It’s advisable to make arrangements in advance for this visit.
Food and insights into production
At Hödl Hof, an approximately 1 km circular trail passes through orchards and woods, with information boards devoted to schnapps. Visitors can also learn how things are done there on a tour of the orchards and distillery. Confirm your visit arrangements before travelling.
At Brenner Stub'n, at the famous Seppl Tisch, fine spirits are offered for tasting; confirm tasting arrangements in advance. Moarpeter is a Buschenschank (traditional wine tavern) and farm brewery in the former Mayerhof of the Schielleiten estate. Together, these destinations offer different reasons to visit: learn about fruit and schnapps, enjoy a tasting, or stop for refreshments in a historic agricultural setting.
Discover more destinations: Schaueregg, Söchau, Tiefenbach bei Kaindorf, Großwilfersdorf, Schildbach, Pöllauberg, Sankt Stefan, Burgau.
View the regional travel overview: Hartberg-FĂĽrstenfeld.
