Vom Rom der Oststeiermark ins Reich der Hirschbirne

Cycling in the footsteps of the Romans, enjoying the day, reveling in life. On this pleasure bike tour you go on the hunt for the stag pear, the East Styrian hill country is the charming backdrop to the pleasure tour.

Enjoyment tips for cyclists along the "From the Rome of Eastern Styria to the realm of the stag pear" tour:
-Altstadt Hartberg
Hartberg, www.hartberg.at
Cultural walk in a modern, lively city with an atmosphere of the past; historical and contemporary elements form a harmonious whole.
-Pusswald - Restaurant, Vinothek, Shop & Hotel
Hartberg,www.restaurant-pusswald.at
A tip for years - especially food and drink with its own vinotheque as well as homemade delicacies with a cozy wine bar.
-Show garden bellabayer
Hartberg, www.bellabayer.at
Some say the 5,000 m2 show garden is the most beautiful in Styria. 100 year old trees, magnolia collection, exotic plants and much more.
-Oekopark Hartberg
Hartberg, www.oekopark.at, www.maxoom.at
Science Center, Exhibitions & Maxoom Cinema
Among many other attractions, the oekopark Hartberg is home to a world view lift that can be seen from afar.
-Ringwarte Hartberg
Hartberg, www.hartberg.at
Situated at an altitude of 789 meters above sea level, the 30-meter wooden tower rises, magnificent panoramic view far over the East Styrian hill country.
-Villa Rustica
Hartberg surroundings, www.hartberg-umgebung.steiermark.at
Well preserved foundation walls, large Roman country house from the 2nd and 3rd century after Christ.
-Vineyard and Buschenschank Retter-Kneißl
Hartberg, www.retter-kneissl.at
Wine tasting possible at any time
-Parish church and castle Pöllau
Pöllau, www.naturpark-poellauertal.at
Former Augustinian canons' monastery with baroque church, popularly known as "St. Peter's Cathedral".
-Wallfahrtskirche, flower and garden village Pöllauberg
Pöllauberg, www.naturpark-poellauertal.at
High Gothic pilgrimage church, 10 different, freely accessible theme gardens and a flower village that has won several awards.
-Castle and Aupark
Pöllau, www.naturpark-poellauertal.at
Relax and linger: Flower garden, hornbeam avenue, open-air classroom, root show garden, Hirschbirn hirsch'n station, park café, children's playgrounds and much more.
-Farm store
Pöllau, www.bauernladen.gutes.at
Product range: from spicy and hearty delicacies to the typical regional products of the Pöllauer Hirschbirne; handicrafts from the region.
-Oil mill Fandler
Pöllau, www.fandler.at
This business has stood for the finest oils for four generations; oil presentations and tastings possible.
-Café - Confectionery - Lebzelterei Ebner
Pöllau, www.steirertorte.at
Fine coffee, sweet temptations, gingerbread and much more in the cozy ambience of this fourth-generation family business.
-Exhibition - Echophysics
Pöllau, www.echophysics.org
European Center for the History of Physics - for curious "researchers and explorers"; Victor Franz Hess Research and Memorial Site

The pleasure tour begins in Hartberg - in the Middle Ages the first meeting place of the nobility, the city shines today as a historical place for enthusiasts, dreamers and connoisseurs. In addition to an atmospheric old town with buildings dating back to the 12th century, such as the Hartberg Karner, the district capital also offers modern meeting places. The "Maxoom" at the Ökopark, for example, houses the largest Styrian cinema screen, and the UNESCO European nature reserve Hartberger Gmoos and the 5,000 m2 bellabayer show garden are just as worth seeing. In any case, a view of the East Styrian hill country from the Ringwarte is also worthwhile.

From the center of Hartberg, the tour leads into the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park. Immediately adjacent to the center of the town, the "Villa rustica" site - a Roman estate - presents itself in Löffelbach. And just a few meters away, the Retter-Kneißl family with its Buschenschank and Vinothek offers an ideal refreshment stop for wine connoisseurs.

....and enjoy delicacies.

Shortly before the traffic circle Winzendorf there is the possibility to stop at the village inn Gasthaus Bohmann. Then it's off to Schönegg near Pöllau and you don't have to "stalk" too far to enjoy the legendary Hirschbirne. This special fruit is descended from an old Styrian pear tree variety whose name is derived from the word "autumn". Larger stands of these trees are only preserved in the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park - where farmers use their skill and traditional knowledge to conjure up true delicacies from the pears (stag pear juice, stag pear cider, noble brandies, vinegar or the vitamin-rich Kletzen).

At the Buschenschenken Spindler, Safner, Muhr, Krobath, Kainer and Kogler, among others, you can fortify yourself with these regional delicacies. Via Schönaudorf, where you turn right in the village center, you then cycle on through a beautiful mixed forest. Passing the "Pferdeland Pöllauer Tal" you cycle upstream along the river Safen. You rest at the "Platzerl am Bach" and let your feet dangle in the water. Along the Safen valley you will reach Pöllau. Imposingly rises here on the one hand the parish church and castle Pöllau and on the other hand the high gothic pilgrimage church Pöllauberg.

The wide range of highlights worth seeing in the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park extends from historic church buildings to idyllic parks, attractive sports facilities, traditional events and culinary delights to modern leading businesses and manufactories - with opportunities for tours and tastings.