Passail between Mining History and Nature Experiences

Passail combines traces of historic mining with a variety of nature and family experiences. Around Arzberg, at the Hohenauer Ochsenhalt and in the Almenland Nature Park, you will find different ways to spend a day of your holiday.

Mining History around Arzberg

The show and educational tunnel in Arzberg is the only still-accessible silver ore mine in the Graz Mountain Region. In the Middle Ages, silver from Arzberg was used to supply the Graz Mint. A guided tour of the show mine follows a 550-metre-long route through the mountain and provides an insight into the hard working life of the miners. This makes the history of the place tangible not only through buildings or dates, but also through the experience of visiting the mine.

The mining educational trail leads through the former mining area around Arzberg near Passail in the Almenland Nature Park. Part of this educational trail has been designed as a family hiking trail with dedicated child-friendly stations. This allows you to combine a historical topic with a hike without having to structure your entire holiday around just one type of excursion.

Hiking, Pasture Landscapes and Protected Nature

The Hohenauer Ochsenhalt is a 125-hectare pasture at the foot of the Sommeralm. Its diverse plant life also includes native orchids. Hiking Trail No. 706 leads to the Hohenauer Ochsenhalt, providing a specific starting point for a tour through this landscape. When planning your day, you can choose between a hike with nature observation and an excursion with a stronger cultural or family focus.

The Raabklamm Natura 2000 site also extends into the municipality of Passail. Another way to explore the surrounding area by theme is the Raab Source Loop: this family-themed trail leads from the Waldmühle at the head of the valley to the source of the Raab. Those travelling with children can include this trail in their plans just as they can the Passail Leisure Lake. It features a water play park, a diving tower, a water slide, a sandy beach and a raft.

Regional Experiences to Taste and Take Part In

Passail also offers insights into regional production. Almenland Stollenkäse combines the history of mining with cheese production: a guided tour explains cheese making and cheese maturation in the Franz-Leopold Tunnel, a former silver mine. Following this experience, selected types of cheese are sampled in the mine building.

During guided tours at Almenland Imkerei Kreiner, you can learn more about the life of bees and the production of honey products. The tours include tastings of various types of honey as well as honey praline chocolates. At Schroeder's Herb Workshop, herbs can be smelled and tasted during guided tours; homemade juices are also offered. Guided tours of the garden, as well as workshops and seminars, can be conducted here or by the Schroeder family.

Church, Castle and Further Excursion Ideas

Cultural highlights include Lindenberg Church, which was built as early as the 16th century in the late Gothic style, and Stubegg Castle, which was built in the 14th century. The Almenland Golf Course between Passail and Fladnitz/Teichalm provides sporting variety. The 18-hole course offers lessons for beginners, advanced players, children and teenagers, as well as a golf school.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Passail, you can therefore consider which daily rhythm suits your trip: mining history and educational trails, hikes to the Hohenauer Ochsenhalt, family experiences at the leisure lake and along the Raab, or guided tours featuring regional products. Accommodation in Passail serves as the starting point for making your own selection, without having to limit yourself to just one holiday theme.

You can find further places for planning your regional itinerary under Nitscha, Miesenbach Bei Birkfeld, Gersdorf An Der Feistritz, Strallegg, Fischbach, Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Rettenegg and Gemeinde Floing.

For the higher-level travel overview: Weiz.