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Hiking Trail
· East Styria
Stage 28 From Glacier to Wine North Route Hartberg - Bad Waltersdorf
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Herbststimmung über HartbergPhoto: Bernhard Bergmann, CC BY-ND, TVB Oststeiermark
This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine leads from the historic town of Hartberg, idyllically situated at the foot of the Ringkogel and surrounded by vineyards, to Bad Waltersdorf, one of the renowned spa destinations in the Thermen- & Vulkanland region of Steiermark. At the beginning of the hike, the route passes through the Hartberger Gmoos, a protected Natura 2000 area on the outskirts of Hartberg. This valuable wetland habitat is home to a remarkable diversity of plant and animal species and offers a striking contrast to the cultivated landscapes that characterise the remainder of the stage. The trail then continues through shady forests, across meadows, and alongside fertile agricultural land before gradually approaching the charming spa town of Bad Waltersdorf. One of the scenic highlights awaits along the ridge of the Burgstall, where, on clear days, sweeping views extend towards the Koralm and the Gleinalm. These distant mountain ranges provide a reminder of the alpine landscapes traversed earlier on the journey, while the increasingly gentle terrain signals the transition into the thermal spa and wine regions of eastern Steiermark. Combining nature, culture, and wide-ranging views, this stage offers a relaxing yet rewarding hiking experience on the way towards the final sections of the route.
The Bad Waltersdorf Spa Region, home to both the Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf and the H2O Erlebnistherme, has long been one of the most popular destinations for relaxation and wellness in Austria.
Nestled within a picturesque rolling landscape, the region owes much of its appeal to a valuable natural resource discovered during oil exploration in 1975: thermal water. Today, this thermal spring is renowned far beyond Austria's borders and forms the foundation of the area's wellness and health offerings.
Every day, around 1.9 million litres of healing thermal water rise naturally to the surface, providing visitors with relaxation, vitality, and well-being. The Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf, with its extensive 25,000-square-metre wellness area, is dedicated to relaxation, health, and regeneration. In contrast, the H2O Erlebnistherme in Sebersdorf offers water slides, pools, and interactive attractions designed for families and younger guests, ensuring fun and entertainment for all ages.
Together, the two thermal spas make Bad Waltersdorf one of the leading wellness destinations in Thermen- & Vulkanland and an ideal place to unwind after a day on the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Grossschedl Inn Zum BrauhausBerglust valley station Hartberg
Buschenschank Weinhof Postl on the Ring
Cafe Restaurant Gotthardt's Sonne
Farmers Market Hartberg
Tips and suggestions
Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003www.steiermark.com
Kompass WK225 Steirisches Hügel-, Vulkan- und Thermenland, Mureck, Bad Radkersburg, Murska Sobota www.kompass.at
Freytag & Berndt WK423 Steirisches Thermenland · Südliches Burgenland · Steirisches Vulkanland www.freytagberndt.at
Rother Wanderführer "Vom Gletscher zum Wein": auf 160 Seiten mit 80 Farbabbildungen 60 Höhenprofile, 60 Wanderkärtchen im Maßstab 1:75.000, zwei Übersichtskarten, GPS-Tracks zum Download, Format 11,5 x 16,5 cm, kartoniert mit Polytex-Laminierung, ISBN 978-3-7633-4550-2, www.rother.de
Roadbook
Starting from the beautiful main square of Hartberg, the route follows Kirchengasse and Johann-Zechner-Gasse towards the Hartberger Gmoos, a protected Natura 2000 area on the outskirts of the town.
Covering around 70 hectares, this wetland habitat is home to approximately 150 bird species and has a fascinating history. Centuries ago, a large lake occupied the site, while more recent plans envisioned the area as a bathing lake or recreational facility. Today, the Hartberger Gmoos is a valuable nature reserve and recreational area, providing an important refuge for a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life.
At the northern end of the protected area, the trail joins the East Austrian Borderland Trail 07, which accompanies us all the way to Bad Waltersdorf. After passing through the district of Neusafenau, the route enters a beautiful stretch of shady woodland. Particularly during the warmer months, these forests provide welcome shelter from the sun and make for especially pleasant walking conditions.
Beyond the forest, the landscape alternates between farmland, meadows, and small settlements as the trail approaches the village of Oberbuch. After passing beneath the Southern Motorway (A2), the route once again enters wooded terrain and gradually climbs towards St. Magdalena am Lemberg.
Much of this ascent follows the edge of a linden forest along the ridge of the Burgstall. Shortly before reaching St. Magdalena, hikers arrive at the Mantschen Cross, a scenic viewpoint offering magnificent panoramas across Hartberg and the mountains of eastern Steiermark, including the Kulm, Masenberg, and Wechsel.
The trail then continues through a varied landscape of forests, fields, and rolling hills. Along the way, views open up towards the volcanic hills and vineyard landscapes of the Thermen- & Vulkanland region, including the areas around Bad Gleichenberg and Straden.
Approaching Bad Waltersdorf, the route passes the Wagerberg, overlooking the H2O Erlebnistherme and the Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf. From here, a gentle descent leads into the attractive centre of the spa town.
The beautiful spa park of Bad Waltersdorf, with its romantic pond and herb gardens, provides a fitting place to relax at the end of the day. With its sweeping views across the rolling thermal spa landscape of southeastern Austria, this stage also offers a preview of the next section of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine, which continues towards Fürstenfeld.
Berglust valley station Hartberg
Buschenschank Weinhof Postl on the Ring
Cafe Restaurant Gotthardt's Sonne
Romanesque charnel house and Hartberg parish church
Historic Main Square Hartberg
Hartberg City Park
Mill store Posch Mill
Farmers Market Hartberg
HERZ Recreation and Leisure Center
Public transport
Accessible by train and bus: detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at
With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store
Parking
Detailed information on how to get to Hartberg can be found here.
On the outskirts of the city at the HERZ Hartberg Recreation and Leisure Center in the immediate vicinity of the Natura 2000 Europe protected area Hartberger Gmoos there are numerous parking spaces available.
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Emergency call mountain rescue: 140
Tips when reporting an emergency – Answer these six WH questions: What happened? How many people are injured? Where did the accident happen (are there GPS coordinates)? Who is reporting the incident (callback number)? When did the accident happen? What is the weather like at the site of the incident?
Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within reach in a side pocket. All the things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top. An emergency kit, including blister plasters, belongs in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress in layers.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions