The pleasure of cycling

Cycling & biking in the Thermen- & Vulkanland

Cyclists are in for the ride of their life in the Thermen- & Vulkanland region of experience and adventure, where some 3,000 km of paths and 14 themed trails lie ahead of them. Spring comes early in Southeast Styria and is threaded with cycling events such as “AnRADeln” to get stuck into.

Waves of gentle hills as far as the eye can see. Cycling allows you to explore vast territories. There are themed trails to suit every taste and level of fitness. The season in Austria’s sunniest and most dynamic cycling region kicks off when the first warm rays of sunshine smile down in April, and, thanks to the mild temperatures, lasts until the end of October. It’s the perfect time to combine the wealth of scenic charms with wine and regional specialities such as asparagus, pumpkin, scarlet runner beans and horseradish.

Blessed with a great climate, Southeast Styria’s “Hill Country” (“Hügelland”) offers cycling tours for pleasure cyclists, families and e-bikers. It also possesses the ideal training conditions for racing cyclists in Austria. On a cycling holiday in southern Austria, tours make their way past vineyards, the UNESCO biosphere park along the River Mur, through historical towns, or even into the neighbouring countries of Slovenia, Hungary, or the state of Burgenland.

Pleasure cyclists and e-bikers have so much ahead of them in the Thermen- & Vulkanland, with over 3,000 km of paths branching out in all directions: short routes or long ones; easy routes or difficult ones. Cycling guides, GPS and information points all help you find your way around. Popular options among pleasure cyclists include the 14 themed cycling trails and the Bike4Elements cycling tours, which invite you to stop off every couple of kilometres; the Murradweg R2, which traverses Styria to Bad Radkersburg and then carries on to Legrad in Croatia; and the Thermenradweg R12, which follows the EuroVelo 9 trail and passing the hot springs and spas of the Thermen- & Vulkanland on the way. Detailed information about the routes can be found on regional cycling maps. There’s virtually no end to the excellently signposted cycling routes on offer! So on your bike and see what’s out there! A dense network of cycle services and bike rental offers are at your disposal for a great experience on your two-wheeler.

Stop to refuel and recharge at a "Buschenschank" (wine tavern), where you can sample the regional specialities and some fine Styrian wine. Revive mind and body in the mineral-rich waters of the thermal baths and thermal hotels – it’s just as important for hobby cyclists as it is for extreme athletes. The combination of cycling and thermal water holds great appeal, particularly when out and about in winter.

"Buschenschank radeln"

“Wine tavern cycling” is the type of trip where the journey is the destination. With all sorts of clearly marked themed trails, and with route lengths to suit any taste or fitness level, the Thermen- & Vulkanland is rightly considered a top cycling region, particularly thanks to the towns of Bad Radkersburg, Feldbach, Fürstenfeld and Bad Waltersdorf. Leisure cyclists will love “wine tavern cycling”. As a reward for their efforts – even when a tailwind helps them along on an e-bike – wine taverns prove irresistible places to stop for a quick bite, with spacious terraces where wines and Styrian delicacies such as runner bean salad are served up. Wonderful panoramic views included!

Discover the vast expanses

Ideal for explorers of all sizes as well as keen exercisers who want to relax by cycling in the great outdoors.

Culinary Delights tours

The undisputed champion is the Culinary Delights tour from Fürstenfeld towards Riegersburg, passing through pumpkin fields. So why is it so highly prized? Well, because of the many wine taverns, wine guesthouses and gourmet restaurants dotted along the way, ready to persuade cyclists to hop off their saddle and come in for a snack. A trip to the Josef Zotter Chocolate Factory near Riegersburg at the end of the Culinary Delights tour only sweetens the experience.

The Lucullus tour, the Wine and Water tour and the Murauen tour offer equally enticing stop-offs. On the Murradweg R2 (River Mur Cycle Path), one of Austria’s most popular routes, you’ll pedal through the country’s second-largest floodplain landscape and into Slovenia. Bad Radkersburg, Styria’s “cycling capital”, is situated where the River Mur leaves Austria.

Whether you’d like to try out the more demanding routes or prefer something a little more relaxed, hopping on your bike is a particularly enjoyable way to explore the Thermen- & Vulkanland. Get to know the various tours, appreciate the wonderful landscapes and awe-inspiring sights, and enjoy the culinary delicacies.

bett+bike – bike-friendly establishments

A number of the region’s hosts hold the “bett+bike” quality seal complying with the criteria of the ADFC (German Cyclists’ Association). Each of these first-rate hotels, guest houses and private room rentals meets the following minimum requirements for cycling guests:

Safe overnight storage of bikes
Facilities for drying clothes
A range of basic repair tools for fixing small issues yourself
Information about the location, opening times and phone numbers of the nearest bike repair shops for major issues
Generous breakfast with lots of local products
Wide range of information on cycling routes, guided cycling tours, excursion destinations
Guests are also welcome to stay “just for one night”
Additional services provided by the respective businesses