Frozen winter landscape with trees in the Wechselland region | © TV Oststeiermark | Florian Luckerbauer Frozen winter landscape with trees in the Wechselland region | © TV Oststeiermark | Florian Luckerbauer
A pleasurable foray into culture, nature and culinary delights

naturpark Pöllauer Tal

There is so much nature in Eastern Styria that the region is blessed with two nature parks. The Almenland Nature Park and the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park invite you to marvel, pause and experience.

With an area of 124 km², the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park offers a diverse landscape, ranging from the gentle hills of the Rabenwald forest to the species-rich orchards. These orchards are particularly valuable for biodiversity and provide a habitat for rare animal species such as the little owl and hoopoe. The nature park promotes sustainable management, in which traditional agriculture is in harmony with nature conservation, with the guiding theme: protection through use. The Pöllauer Tal Nature Park is a role model for the protection of nature and sustainable regional development.

  • Our cultural landscape: Eastern Styrian hills with orchards
  • Our guiding theme: “Protect through benefit”
  • Our flagship product: Pöllauer Hirschbirne pear
  • Area: 124 km²
  • Approx. 8,500 inhabitants
  • 38 accommodation establishments (including 9 certified nature park hosts)
  • Natural jewels: Pikeroifelsen Pöllauberg, Schönauklamm gorge, Pöllauberg-Goldsberg meadow landscape
  • Rare plants and animals: silicate bell gentian, arnica, orchid meadow; stag beetle, stone crayfish, black stork
  • Protected areas: Gentian meadow nature reserve on the Masenberg and protected habitat Pikeroifelsen near Pöllauberg, Pöllauer Tal Nature Park landscape conservation area, natural monuments
  • Awards: “KEM - Climate and Energy Model Region”, since 2012, “KLAR! - Climate Change Adaptation Region”, since 2017, EU origin protection Pöllauer Hirschbirne g. U. since May 2015
Basket with stag pears from the Pöllau Valley in Eastern Styria | © TV Oststeiermark | Helmut Schweighofer

Pöllauer hirschbrine

The Pöllauer Hirschbirne is an old Styrian variety whose name is derived from the word "Hiascht", meaning autumn, as it can only be harvested from mid-October. The pear has a rounded shape and has been protected by the PDO quality seal since May 2015. 
Experience true culinary delights on a culinary tour through the Genussregion.  A wide range of wine taverns and self-marketers as well as selected gourmet menus from certified Kulinarium Steiermark businesses in the region will tantalize your taste buds.

Hirschbirn Hirsch'n

DISCOVER THE NATURE PARK 

Nature Park Landscape in the Pöllau Valley | © TV Oststeiermark | Helmut Schweighofer
Schönau Gorge in the Pöllau Valley Nature Park in Eastern Styria | © Oststeiermark Tourismus | Helmut Schweighhofer
Nature Guides
Honeycombs on the Pöllauberg in Eastern Styria | © Oststeiermark Tourismus | Lang-Bichl - RKP
Herb harvest at the Pöllabauer in eastern Styria | © TV Oststeiermark | Bernhard Bergmann

Nature jewels

Natural jewels are particularly species-rich and original habitats that have been selected according to strict criteria that apply throughout Styria. There are three of these unique natural jewels in the Pöllau Valley Nature Park, ranging from colorful flowering meadows to ravines with rare species such as the ground beetle. They offer nature lovers fascinating opportunities for discovery, both on their own and with experienced nature and landscape guides. These special habitats make the Pöllau Valley a treasure trove of biodiversity and nature experiences.

Experiences in the nature park

In the Pöllau Valley Nature Park, there are many opportunities to really feel nature: experience guided tours in the gardens and parks, tastings with our regional producers or learn interesting facts on the nature and adventure trails.

Contact details

Tourism - Info office

Eastern Styria Tourist Board
Office Pöllauer Tal Nature Park
Castle 1, 8225 Pöllau near Hartberg
Phone: +43 3335 42 10
E-mail: naturpark-poellauertal@oststeiermark.com

Monday - Friday: 9.00 - 16.00 hrs

Nature park office:

Naturpark Pöllauer Tal
Schloss 1, 8225 Pöllau bei Hartberg
Telefon: +43 3335 3740
Sabrina Wagner: +43 681 84515041
Reinhold Schöngrundner: +43 677 62463414
E-Mail: office@naturpark-poellauertal.at