Discover Sankt Martin

Sankt Martin combines experiences in nature, regional culture and a variety of activities to create a destination with many different holiday ideas. A particularly defining feature is the “Lainsitz near Sankt Martin” Natura Trail, a hiking experience in a Natura 2000 protected area along the Green Belt. The route follows the Lainsitz through flood meadows and a small-scale, extensively farmed cultural landscape with fields, rocky hills, terraced field edges, hedges and near-natural mixed forests.

Nature trails with different focal points

The Natura Trail routes start at Harmanschlag village square or at Steinbach-Bad Großpertholz railway station and take between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the route. This makes it possible to adapt your daily planning to the desired route length. Another distinctive combination of landscape and exercise is the “Nebelstein route”. It leads from Sankt Martin along the Lainsitz and the narrow-gauge railway before climbing to the Nebelstein. Anyone looking for a route with changing landscape impressions will find a trail here where the river, railway line and ascent successively become the focus.

Swimming, archery and winter activities

On warmer days, the natural swimming pond in St. Martin offers opportunities for swimming and bathing. Two beach volleyball courts are also available at the pond. A barbecue area adds to the facilities; the kiosk is open on fine-weather days in summer. This allows you to combine time by the water with sporting activity and a break outdoors without limiting the day to just one activity.

In the village of Harmanschlag, the archery course operated by the ARRA Bogensportclub Harmanschlag starts directly next to the Arra lifts. The course covers 10.5 hectares and runs mainly through the forest. During the cold season, the Arra lifts and cross-country ski trails offer 25 km of groomed cross-country ski trails through snow-covered forests. The Arra lifts’ family ski area in Harmanschlag has three drag lifts, a floodlighting system and snow cannons.

Church and regional specialities

The parish church of Sankt Martin also adds a historic accent. It was probably founded by Hadmar II of Kuenring, who died in 1217, and was originally built in the Romanesque style. The church retains a Romanesque double window, a Gothic single-lancet tracery window and a Romanesque sacristy added to the north side of the tower. This gives travellers interested in culture the opportunity to take a closer look at different architectural periods.

The regional side of your stay includes the farm shop at Erlebnis Stein&Garten – Anderl am Berg. It offers specialities made from Angus beef as well as products from the kitchen, farm and garden. After a guided tour, Erlebnis Stein&Garten – Anderl am Berg serves Angus beef delicacies and homemade fruit juices at its snack station.

The right accommodation for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sankt Martin, you can first decide on the main focus of your stay. For days spent in nature, the starting points and duration of the Natura Trail routes provide important guidance. Anyone wishing to combine water and exercise can plan time at the natural swimming pond, the beach volleyball courts and the barbecue area. In winter, the cross-country ski trails and the Arra lifts’ ski area take centre stage, while the parish church and regional specialities provide additional cultural and culinary reasons to visit.

The Waldviertel narrow-gauge railway is also important when planning your journey: it runs into the municipality of Sankt Martin as far as Steinbach - Bad Großpertholz railway station.

If you would like to compare other destinations, the platform also features Haugschlag, Hirschenwies, Sankt Wolfgang, Kirchberg Am Walde, Gmünd, Weitra, Schrems and Hoheneich.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gmünd.