Gabersdorf combines a distinct change in landscape with a practical starting point for outdoor activities: the Mur Cycle Path R2 connects directly at the Landscha Bridge. In the north of the municipality, the foothills of Grabenland shape the scenery; in the south, the Mur plain. Other points of interest include the chapel dedicated to Saint Leonhard and the town’s long history. When looking for accommodation in Gabersdorf, these themes can help you tailor your stay to your interests in cycling or hiking, landscape and history.
Landscape and the Mur Cycle Path
The northern part of the municipality is dominated by the foothills of “Grabenland,” a hilly area popularly known by that name, extending eastwards. Individual streams have cut into the plateau, which slopes down in stages to the level of the Leibnitz Field. The southern part is shaped mainly by the Mur plain. This means that a plateau crossed by streams and a southern plain lie side by side within Gabersdorf. Those interested in the area’s landscape can therefore view the north and south as two distinct geographical points of reference.
The Landscha Bridge is the practical starting point for outdoor activities: the municipality has a direct connection to the Mur Cycle Path R2 there. Like the Mur, the route traverses almost all of Styria. In Gabersdorf, the Mur Cycle Path can also be used as a hiking trail; some of the many viewing platforms in southern Styria are possible destinations. Cycling and hiking are two different ways to include the R2 in your travel plans. Before setting out on a hike, check local route conditions so your plans match the current trail.
The Chapel and Local History
A notable historic landmark is the wooden chapel beside the so-called Leonhard Spring. It is dedicated to Saint Leonhard and was first mentioned in 1318. A fair is held today on the Sundays of Saint Leonhard in June and November. If you would like to plan your visit around this tradition, check the specific dates before travelling.
Around 1900, Gabersdorf was a pilgrimage site for farming communities to the east, as far away as the districts of Feldbach and Radkersburg. The Gabersdorf municipal chronicle documents history and stories spanning from prehistory and early history through the 20th and 21st centuries. A 2011 report also states that several Roman stones (gravestones) from the Landscha/Mur area are exhibited at the Joanneum Provincial Museum. The chapel, the history of the pilgrimage site and the chronicle offer different perspectives on local history: a specific consecrated site, a regional historical connection and a broad overview across time.
Cultural Events Throughout the Year
The Gabersdorf music band, which has enriched the municipality’s cultural life since 1849, is also part of local culture. Its traditional spring concert takes place at the Gabersdorf Sports and Culture Centre. Alongside the fair on the Sundays of Saint Leonhard in June and November, the concert is another possible reason to plan your travel dates around a local cultural event. The events fall at different times of the year: the fair is held on the Sundays of Saint Leonhard, while the concert takes place in spring. Before travelling, check the specific concert dates and programme, as well as the fair dates.
Discover more destinations: Neudorf im Sausal, Einöd, Neurath, Sernau, Sankt Nikolai Im Sausal, Labitschberg, Ottenberg, Wagna.
For the broader travel overview: Leibnitz.
