From St Ruprecht an der Raab, the route begins upstream along the Raabtal Cycle Path R11, but the ride is gentle and relaxed as we pass through Unterfladnitz towards Weiz. A few kilometres before Weiz, in Regerstätten, we branch off to the right and continue on the Apfeltour Cycle Path WZ16. More and more orchards now accompany us on our ride, which takes us over a short ascent and a following gentle descent into the village of Etzersdorf. Here, we first keep to the right to pass through the village, following the well-marked route that leads past the Buschenschank Leiner, away from the main road.
At the end of the village, the route climbs up the Wetzelberg on the left-hand side, passing through beautifully tended apple orchards. Once on the ridge, the path takes us straight into the heart of the Apfelland’s garden landscape – also known as the Styrian Apple Road. Now it is simply a matter of enjoying the ride and hoping we have not forgotten the camera, as the scenery here is truly idyllic. Before reaching the apple village of Puch bei Weiz, the centre of the Styrian Apple Road, we face another descent followed by a short climb. Once in Puch bei Weiz, it is time to slow down, pause, and enjoy. A tip: the Hotel Meißl or the idyllic terrace of the Kirchenwirt, who also belongs to the Abakus monks and whose cuisine is renowned far beyond the region. But take care – we would not be the first to stop over here and continue the journey only the following day.
We leave the apple village of Puch bei Weiz with a short climb, before gently riding downhill again along the Apfeltour Cycle Path WZ16 to reach the Stubenberg Gorge. At the entrance to the gorge, we change onto the Feistritztal Cycle Path R8, following it downstream through the dramatic gorge. Roaring water, towering rock walls, and daring fords accompany us over the next few kilometres. At the exit of the gorge, the Stubenberg Lake awaits – one of the most popular bathing lakes in eastern Austria.
The lake welcomes us with countless leisure options, along with restaurants and hotels that invite you to take a break or stay longer. From Stubenberg Lake, our route continues to the Tierwelt Herberstein zoo with its adjoining castle and beautiful castle gardens, a must-visit for all flower lovers. At Tierwelt Herberstein, home to more than 130 animal species from five continents, we keep left to follow the Hofkirchentour Cycle Path HB8 towards the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park.
On little-used side roads, we continue along the Hofkirchentour Cycle Path HB8, passing behind Schielleiten Castle with its large ponds, until we reach the wine-growing area of Tiefenbach. In the small village of St Stefan – just a few kilometres after Hofkirchen – we turn left at the Gothic church onto the Saifental Cycle Path HB18, leading directly into the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park. Past fields and apple orchards, and through short, shady forest sections, the cycle tour brings us to Schönegg near Pöllau, where we keep to the right and change cycle paths for the last time today.
From here, the final kilometres take us to Hartberg along the Pöllauer Cycle Path R57, which runs through the entire Pöllauer Tal Nature Park. If time allows, a visit to the town of Pöllau with its striking castle and the Fandler Oil Mill is highly recommended. To do this, we leave the Pöllauer Cycle Path R57 for a few kilometres in the opposite direction. Returning to our main route, we conclude today’s stage cycling through small villages of the Nature Park before reaching the historic town of Hartberg. With its old town centre and wide-ranging cultural offerings such as the Hartberg Summer of Literature, it is one of the most charming towns in eastern Austria. Today culture, tomorrow spas: the next stage leads us onwards to Loipersdorf.