The starting point is the historic town of Hartberg, surrounded by vineyards of the East Styrian Roman Wine Route. The route continues south, where you can relax during a break in one of the numerous thermal spas. The hot springs and the comforting warmth will contribute to your well-being.
Of course, your culinary well-being will not be neglected either. On the stages you can get to know authentic producers around regional products in person. Numerous inns tempt you with specialities and delicacies.
One of the stages takes you from the beetle bean community of St. Ruprecht an der Raab through Austria's largest apple-growing region. The apple, as well as the beetle bean, has always been considered the region's leading product. A visit to the largest beetle bean refiner or to an apple farmer on the apple route is worthwhile here.
There is also a lot to experience for culturally interested visitors with a thirst for knowledge. The House of Apples in Puch near Weiz, the Ecopark in Hartberg or the hydroelectric power plant near Lake Stubenberg are always worth a visit.
And best of all, when you stay overnight in one of the GenussCard establishments, you receive the GenussCard as a gift from 1 March to 31 October and thus free admission to over 240 excursion destinations.
1st stage:
Start: Hartberg
Destination: Fürstenfeld
Length: approx. 42.5 km
2nd stage:
Start: Fürstenfeld
Finish: St. Ruprecht/Raab
Length: approx. 55.9 km
3rd stage:
Start: St. Ruprecht/Raab
Finish: Stubenberg
Length: approx. 24.6 km
4th stage:
Start: Stubenberg
Finish: Hartberg
Length: approx. 28.8 km
Overnight accommodation in Hartberg:
Gasthof Pack "Zur Lebing Au"Josef-Hallamayrstr. 30, 8230 Hartberg,T.: +43 3332 624700, info@gasthof-pack.at, www.gasthof-pack.at
Gasthof-Restaurant Zum BrauhausWiener Strasse 1, 8230 HartbergT.: +43 3332 62210, info@brauhaus.co.at, www.brauhaus.co.at
Accommodation options with the GenussCard in Fürstenfeld:
JUFA Hotel Fürstenfeld - Sport-Resort ***Burgenlandstraße 15, 8280 Fürstenfeld,T.: 57083-250, fuerstenfeld@jufa.eu, www.jufa.eu/fuerstenfeldWine House 79Radersdorf 79, 8263 GroßwilfersdorfT.: +43 664 277 56 46, office@weinhaus79.at, www.weinhaus79.at
Accommodation options with the GenussCard in St. Ruprecht/Raab:
Garten-Hotel Ochensberger****Untere Hauptstr. 181, 8181 St. Ruprecht/Raab,T.: +43 3178 5132-0, gartenhotel@ochensberger.at, www.ochensberger.atHotel Locker & Légere****Parkstrasse 29, 8181 St. Ruprecht/RaabT.: +43 3178 2310, office@locker-legere.at, www.locker-legere.at
Accommodation options with the GenussCard in Stubenberg am See:
Boutique Hotel Erla ****Buchberg 70, 8223 Stubenberg am See,T.: +43 3176 8889, info@seehotel-erla.at, www.seehotel-erla.atJUFA Hotel Stubenberg am See***Buchberg 110, 8223 Stubenberg am SeeT.: +43 5 7083-760, stubenbergsee@jufa.eu, www.jufa.eu/hotel/stubenbergsee
Further tours at www.oststeiermark.com