The Pöllauer Tal natural park with its unique surroundings and rich cultural influences has many secrets and adventures in store for you. So, let yourself be "tempted" to enjoy a few informative and definitely eventful hours in the park with our trained natural park guides as part of our summer programme of events. But, if, however, you prefer to go off and discover the surrounding area on your own, you can also make use of the many excellently developed and signposted hiking trails in the Pöllauer Tal natural park.

Trail characteristics and directions:
The hirschbirne pear hiking trail takes you past hundred year old pear avenues, scattered orchards, historic cultural treasures and old farmhouses. The hirschbirne is an old Styrian pear variety, which is mainly still only found in the Pöllauer Tal natural park. The pear is made into schnapps, pear cider, juice, dried fruit, jellies and various other culinary delicacies. On the hiking trail you will learn about the homeland of the hirschbirne pear: a diverse and colourful cultural landscape!

Route:
Start at the Schlosspark (castle park) and follow the signs for the "Hirschbirne pear hiking trail". Head towards Rabenwald. After walking for approx. ½ hour you will reach "Buschenschank Schweighofer", a traditional Styrian restaurant. From here you hike across scattered orchards and along boundary ridges up to 760 m above sea level until you arrive at the Höllmüllner farm. Follow the way and the signposted markings back down towards the valley - partially through the wood and between meadows until you arrive at the Schweighofer sawmill. Continue on towards Haidenwald past the viewing platform and along the Safen valley until you return to Pöllau.

Memorable points:
- View from the Höllmüllner farm
- Haidenwald viewing platform
- This hiking trail is especially charming in the spring when the pear trees are blossoming and also in the autumn when the leaves of these strange trees glow a fiery red colour.

Guided tours: by appointment - Pöllauer Tal natural park tourism office

Refreshment stops:
- Rabenwald: Buschenschank Schweighofer, Tel: +43(0) 3335/2162
Of course you will be able to try the hirschbirne pear in a multitude of variations here.

Destination: Where you began in the Schlosspark Pöllau (castle park).


A map of the hiking trails is available in the tourism office for € 2.30. This map can also be sent to you by post.


Further hiking trails in the Pöllauer Tal natural park: Pilgrim's path, adventure trail in the wood, the park of natural ENERGY (NaturKRAFTpark), forest nature trail on the Masenberg mountain, Schönegg nature trail, natural park adventure loop hike.