The best MTB trails around Greinbach

My pleasure tour every year, car to service and in the meantime a great MTB tour to the Ringkogel and of course with a stop at the nice landlady. A further ride to the Masenberg is recommended, everything is well signposted. The Glückskapelle and above it the summit cross, a true power spot. There is also a refreshment stop to strengthen you for the return journey. Then there is the possibility to go to Pöllauberg and back to Hartberg via the Pöllauberg cycle path, or with a few more meters of altitude, as shown in my tour profile, by crossing the ridge and along the back of the Ringkogel (east side) back to Hartberg. With a small round trip in the city center, cycling is allowed everywhere!! how nice! There is also wonderful Illy coffee, it was a successful, beautiful day.

The Masenberg at 1,262 m above sea level is the last high spur of the Central Alps towards the east. With its elongated mountain ridge, it separates the Vorau basin to the north and the Lafnitztal to the east.

The church was built in 1384 in quarry stone masonry and has remained unplastered. Therefore, the scaffolding holes are visible. It is one of the few churches in Styria whose original Gothic condition has been largely preserved. During renovation work in 1958, frescoes dating from around 1530 were uncovered. The frescoes in the chancel depict the Last Judgment. The floor of large stone slabs was laid in 1722. The sacristy was added to the church in 1771. The high altar was designed by the Hartberg sculptor Johann Feiner and the carpenter Georg Maurer in 1647.

This medieval hilltop castle was built in the 12th century by Gottschalk Schirling (from 1166 of Neitberg/Neuberg), son of Wulfing von Stubenberg, as a border fortress or "fighting castle" against the feared Hungarian armies and against all sorts of "pagan rabble" from the East.

The view from the top is really beautiful on a clear day, like we had.

Hartberg is a fine town with just under 6800 inhabitants, known primarily for its historic buildings. The main square is the heart of the city, featuring the town parish church, the town hall, the Marian column, and many other historical buildings, all of which are under monument protection. You can really feel the long history when you walk through it. It's not particularly ugly when the sun's rays shine on the main square and people sit together in the beer gardens of the numerous inns and cafés. You can comfortably enjoy a cool beer or a Styrian cider and gaze at the magnificent buildings. The main square is practically the living room of Hartberg, where people meet and wind down the day. And the square isn't just lively at all times, no! Many events take place there. Whether festivals, markets, or cultural highlights, there's always something going on at Hartberg's main square. This is how tradition stays alive and connects the past with the here and now. Anyone visiting Hartberg should definitely take time to experience the charm and hospitable atmosphere in the middle of the historic ambience. It is a real tip for anyone who wants to feel a bit of Styrian cosiness.

The Roman Catholic city parish church of St. Martin in Hartberg is a true jewel of Styrian church history and deeply rooted in the faith of our ancestors. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most important saints, known primarily for his charity. The location of the church alone is impressive, as it stands on the remains of a Roman structure from around 200 AD, which shows how long the area of Hartberg has been settled and how closely history is intertwined here. The first written mention of the late Gothic city parish church of St. Martin dates back to 1157. At that time, it was an important spiritual center in the region. From 1745 to 1760, the church was expanded in the Baroque style, which shapes its current appearance. Particularly exciting is the late Baroque coloring of the exterior, which gives the church its unique character and immediately amazes visitors. The high altar painting, created by the renowned artist Johann Cyriak Hackhofer, captures the attention of all believers and wonderfully expresses the spiritual aura of the house of God. Anyone who visits the city parish church of St. Martin immediately feels the connection of history, art, and faith, which is deeply rooted here and keeps Styrian Catholicism alive. Thus, the church is not only a place of prayer but also a testament to Hartberg's cultural identity.

Worth seeing. Worth visiting. Worth hiking. I can't think of much more to say about this beautiful and imposing church here on the mountain. Except perhaps: The incredibly brilliant view.