Stage 26 From Glacier to Wine North Route Anger - Pöllau

Accessible by public transport

Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 15,8 km

Time 5:00 h

Uphill 1372 hm

Downhill 1426 hm

Highest point 921 m

If the first 25 stages of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine are characterised by mountain landscapes, peaks, and alpine pastures, this stage marks the transition into the fertile rolling hills of Eastern Steiermark and the Thermen- & Vulkanland region.

Eastern Steiermark is often affectionately referred to as the "Garden of Austria", a title that reflects the remarkable diversity of high-quality agricultural and culinary products produced here. This stage offers a first impression of that abundance as it leads from the historic market town of Anger, located on the northern edge of Apfelland, Austria's largest apple-growing region, into the beautiful Pöllauer Tal Nature Park.

Despite the gentler landscape, the route still requires a reasonable level of fitness. Several hundred metres of elevation must be negotiated between the Feistritz Valley and the Pöllauer Tal, providing rewarding views along the way. The effort is more than compensated for upon arrival in Pöllau, where a wealth of regional producers, culinary specialities, and local hospitality await.

This stage signals the beginning of a new landscape chapter on the journey from the glaciers of the north to the vineyards of southern Steiermark.

This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine leads from one culinary speciality to the next.

In Apfelland, around five million apple trees line the rolling hills along the famous Apple Road. The reason why apples are such a defining feature of the landscape between Anger and St. Ruprecht an der Raab is largely due to the region's favourable climate. To the north, the Fischbacher Alps, crossed during previous stages, provide shelter, while to the south the influence of the Pannonian climate creates ideal conditions for fruit growing.

At the end of the stage, in the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park, attention shifts from apples to another regional speciality: the Hirschbirne. Despite its name, which literally translates as "stag pear", it has no connection to deer. It is an old pear variety that ripens in autumn and has become one of the defining symbols of the region.

Sweet, aromatic, and deeply rooted in local tradition, the Hirschbirne can be found in gardens and orchards throughout the Pöllauer Tal. It is enjoyed in many forms: eaten fresh, pressed into juice, fermented into cider, transformed into jelly, distilled into fine spirits, or dried as Kletzen, a traditional fruit speciality.

Whether sampled as a drink, dessert, preserve, or spirit, the Hirschbirne is a true original and an essential taste of the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park.

Best season

January

February

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November

December

More information

Detailed information on how to get to Anger can be found here.

From the centre of the market town of Anger, the route initially heads east past the outdoor swimming pool to the tracks of the historic Feistritztal Railway, which are crossed shortly afterwards.

Running from Weiz via Anger to Birkfeld, the Feistritztal Railway is one of the few historic railway lines that instantly transports visitors back to a bygone era, when life moved at a slower pace. Travelling through the scenic Feistritz Valley, the narrow-gauge railway is one of the most popular attractions in Eastern Steiermark. Thanks to its numerous bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, it also offers countless photographic opportunities along the route. A particular curiosity is Europe's first narrow-gauge railway carriage hotel in Anger. A 124-year-old railway carriage has been carefully converted into an unusual holiday apartment and now stands beside the Hotel Angerer Hof.

Leaving the settlement area of Anger behind, the trail climbs gently through the so-called Fairy Tale Forest, known for its romantic mill and family-friendly atmosphere, before reaching the Holzerbauer Trout Inn (Tel. +43 3177 2293). In addition to its renowned fish specialities, the inn is also known for its themed culinary events throughout the year.

A short forest section follows before the trail reaches a small local road. Keeping left, the route follows the quiet road for just over two kilometres before turning left between two farmsteads. A pleasant gravel track then leads to the highest point of the stage at 929 metres above sea level.

The route now descends towards Pöllau, the heart of the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park, alternating between idyllic farms, meadows, forests, and open countryside. Across the valley, the pilgrimage church of Pöllauberg comes into view, providing a preview of the next stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.

Along this section, hikers also encounter the signposting of the Hirschbirne Trail, a beautifully designed hiking route dedicated to the region's culinary flagship product, the Hirschbirne. As the trail approaches Pöllau, it passes through the castle park surrounding Pöllau Castle, often referred to as the "Styrian St Peter's Basilica" because of its impressive appearance.

Once the recreation area of the Augustinian canons, the park is now open to everyone and offers numerous places to relax. An outdoor classroom in the elevated western section provides magnificent views of Pöllau Castle, the Parish Church of Pöllau, and the Pilgrimage Church of Pöllauberg. Nearby, a root garden offers fascinating insights into root systems and soil life. At the Hirschbirn hirsch'n information station, visitors can learn more about the Hirschbirne and the nature park, while additional stations throughout the region are also well worth visiting.

Upon reaching the beautiful market square of Pöllau, it is time to discover the region's culinary delights. Numerous restaurants, Buschenschänken, cafés, and specialty shops showcase the flavours of the Pöllauer Tal. Traditional pastries, cakes, and authentic Pöllau gingerbread can be enjoyed in the charming courtyard of Ebner Confectionery, while the master butchers Buchberger and Ritter are renowned for their regional meat and sausage specialities.

The local farm shops provide an excellent opportunity to sample and purchase regional products, and the Genuss-Land Map of the Pöllauer Hirschbirne Region offers further recommendations for culinary discoveries. With so many specialities to enjoy, hikers can perfectly prepare themselves for the next stage towards Hartberg.

In the Thermen- & Vulkanland region of Styria, Eastern Styria and Southern and Western Styria, the GenussCard opens the door to over 200 excursion destinations when you stay overnight in one of the approximately 100 GenussCard partner establishments. Countless of these GenussCard excursion destinations, ranging from culinary manufactories to bathing lakes and museums, are located directly on the hiking route "From Glacier to Wine".

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

In Anger there are several parking spaces available around the town center.

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com

Kompass WK221 Grazer Bergland, Fischbacher Alpen, Joglland, Oststeirisches Raabtal, Wechsel www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK21 Grazer Bergland · Schöckl · Teichalm · Stubenbergsee www.freytagberndt.at