Running and Nordic walking along the Mur | © Thermen- & Vulkanland | Pixelmaker | pixelmaker.at Running and Nordic walking along the Mur | © Thermen- & Vulkanland | Pixelmaker | pixelmaker.at
Everything in motion

Enjoying nature the active way

Rolling hills, beautiful natural scenery, a mild climate – the Thermen- & Vulkanland is a real natural paradise that invites you to dive right in. Exercise is very popular here, whether by bike, on foot, or canoeing down rushing rivers.

No matter whether your passion is for cycling, hiking, jogging or golfing, the Thermen- & Vulkanland offers exactly what you need. Wonderful jogging paths weaving around the hotels and hot springs; majestic climbing walls on the rocks of the Riegersburg; over 3,000 km of signposted cycling routes; stunning golf courses; wild rivers for canoeing; as well as hiking trails make Southeast Styria a promised land for people who love to be active.

Sport and enjoyment go hand-in-hand on the 14 pleasure cycling tours (“Genussradeltouren”): an inherent part of the Thermen- und Vulkanland Steiermark. Hikers won’t be on their feet all the time either as they rack up the miles: wine taverns, winegrowers, restaurants and local producers are all tempting places to stop off for a short break and to sample the local delicacies. A dense network of cycling services and bike hire offers give cyclists a top-notch experience. And of course, e-bikes are the next big thing.

A diverse range of activities

The invigorating power of exercise

It comes as no surprise that the wonderful landscapes of the Thermen- & Vulkanland in Styria tick all the boxes for running. Weekly meet-ups and a range of different running events round off the programme.

As early as April, when the first rays of warm sunshine beam down, the mild climate stirs holidaymakers into action until well into autumn. Countless themed routes entice hikers into nature – stop-offs at historical chapels, blooming rose gardens and herb gardens, viewing spots, and places of natural energy invigorate body, mind and soul, and encourage walkers to learn more as they go.

Golfers too can vouch for the powers of nature, the wonderful panoramas and the physical activity, as they are spoiled at the four charming golf courses of the Thermen- & Vulkanland.  Surely it’s hard to beat an entertaining game of golf coupled with typical Styrian hospitality and hearty cuisine.

The main form of exercise at Styria’s spas and hot springs is of course swimming. Numerous additional services both in and out of the water coax your body into more activity. Water never stands still, and neither do we. And the hot springs only fuel your urge to get moving. Canoeing and paddle boarding also harness the great benefits of water. The Mur, Raab, Feistritz and Lafnitz rivers, surrounded by their idyllic floodplain habitats, offer visitors a completely new and thrilling perspective from the water. Stand-up paddling is a popular new sport best experienced on calm waterways or natural bathing lakes.

© Thermen- & Vulkanland | Ingrid Jansky
Autumn mood in the Murauen meadows in southeast Styria | © Thermen- & Vulkanland | Pixelmaker | pixelmaker.at
Cosy winter walk by the lake | © Thermen- & Vulkanland | Pixelmaker

While we’re talking about the elements, let’s not forget that exercise can also be enjoyed in the air. The Riegersburg, for example, boasts a unique natural climbing park on its very own dizzying cliffs. Its lofty volcanic cone, one million years old, and remarkable basalt tuff make the Riegersburg an extraordinary experience for any climbing enthusiast. In Fürstenfeld, the alpine club’s indoor climbing hall is a great alternative when the weather is poor. Families will be in high spirits at the Geier forest rope course in Bad Waltersdorf; even very young participants can learn the basics of climbing safety and responsibility on a fun and entertaining parcours that offers varying levels of difficulty.

Those interested in gaining a different view of Styria’s hilly landscapes need to go a bit higher – preferably sky-high. Floating away into the heavens in a hot air balloon opens up fascinating vistas and an incredible bird’s-eye view of a sea of a thousand hills... Utterly incomparable. Its topography and stable weather make the eastern part of Styria the perfect hub for balloon rides. Particularly in winter, when many summer sports wind down for the colder months, a balloon ride is a fantastic experience! The air is crisp and clean, like no other time of year. And the view from above is pure poetry. From a technical perspective, winter tours actually offer many advantages, as there is no thermal lift at this time of year. This means that you don’t get the uncontrolled winds produced in the summer by the rising hot air. So winter balloon rides are even safer. You can spend longer in the skies, fly higher, and cover greater distances.

So where does the element of fire come in? On horseback! Horses have definitely got some fire in their bellies. Of all the dreams that horse riders have, trail riding is the most enchanting... and often the hardest to make a reality. It’s the tranquillity and leisurely pace that make it so appealing here. This leisureliness has a rhythm all of its own – the rhythmic trot of four hooves.
Their proud bearing, power and beauty are what people find so fascinating about horses. So saddle up and head out into the heart of nature. Riding through fields and woodland is balm for body and soul. On horseback, you can discover all the beauties of Styria in wonderful detail. There is no end of possible riding routes through the gently rolling hills and along lush meadow trails. A ride through the picturesque vineyards of the Vulkanland Steiermark DAC (a designated winegrowing area), down idyllic forest and meadow paths, along the charming banks of the river Raab or  Feistritz, through flowering orchards or past brightly coloured pumpkin fields is pure bliss!

Julia Koschu | Thermen- & Vulkanland Steiermark
See the sunrise during a balloon ride | © Thermen- & Vulkanland | Bernhard Bergmann
© Thermen- & Vulkanland | Pixelmaker | Robert Sommerauer
Medical Training Center Parktherme Bad Radkersburg | © Parktherme Bad Radkersburg | Harald Eisenberger

Personal training

Exercise is good for you. Well, that’s generally true, but there are exceptions. Exercising incorrectly may cause unexpected harm. Whether you’ve been exercising for years or have just started a new sport, competent instruction is important in order to avoid mistakes.
Styrian spas offer the opportunity to have some personal training. Health coaches take their clients swimming, running and Nordic walking, analysing how they move, or helping beginners to build up their exercise systematically. The crucial thing is to point out any incorrect movements, and teach clients how to move their bodies properly. One huge advantage of personal training is that coaches can give each person their undivided attention. A single session can therefore have a big impact.
When practised correctly, endurance sports such as running, Nordic walking and swimming can be very beneficial for the heart, circulation, metabolism and weight, and they won’t damage the joints or spine. This enables clients to set and pursue personal goals, such as reducing back pain.

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