4 Elements Tour EARTH 2 in the Thermal & Volcanic Land Styria (4 Elemente Tour ERDE 2 im Thermen- & Vulkanland Steiermark)

From here we enter the typical flat Mura landscape of Austria and Slovenia. We cross an area of 11,000 hectares, which is the second largest closed floodplain in Austria. When you enter the floodplain, you think you are in a strange world: a jungle-like thicket of poplars, pedunculate oaks, acacias, with many climbing plants such as hops, wild grapevine and ivy. There is an immense wealth of species here. Woodpeckers alone are represented by seven species. The reason for this species richness is the occurrence of many marginal biotopes as transitional habitats.

Typical of the Mur floodplains are the lakes, former oxbow lakes of the Mur. They are among the most valuable habitats of all and are home to many rare plants and animals such as cormorants, black woodpeckers, rooks and robins. The Nachdenkraum Natur begins directly in Bad Radkersburg. The sight of the dense vegetation and the variety of living creatures is overwhelming. The first rest at the Liebmann Lake becomes an experience. The swans majestically cross the lake and the children can hardly keep up with the feeding.

At Röcksee you will find quiet ponds in which the sky is reflected. The wind lovingly ripples the surface. The vibrations continue into green hill ranges, adorned with long rows of vines. A picturesque, fertile land, spoiled by the sun.

Water, wine and gentle waves characterize the face of the Radkersburg pond and hill country. Promise a day full of sensual pleasures. In between, there is a brisk walk between meadows and fields, then back up to the top of the hill to enjoy the view.

There are many encounters with water: at the village fountain in Ratschendorf, along the rustic Gnasbach, in the open-air swimming pool of St. Peter am Ottersbach, at the Ottersbachmühle, a 100-year-old water mill, and of course at the many small ponds between Priebing and Oberrakitsch.

Television in Styrian

You can enjoy the most beautiful panoramic view from the wine observatory near St. Peter - not only over the vineyards, but far to Slovenia, to the Karawanken, to the Riegersburg and to the Hungarian lowlands.

• Emergency call mountain rescue: 140
• ambulance: 144
• European emergency call: 112
• firefighters: 122
• police: 133

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?

Touring bikes or city bikes are recommended. Tip: A basic equipment of tools and accessories such as spare inner tube and/or repair kit, spanner, air pump, brake and shift cable as well as a screwdriver can never hurt.

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