Registration
UNESCO Global Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen
Preevent
The Styrian Eisenwurzen UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the northern part of Upper Styria – in the heart of Austria. Covering 586 square kilometres, it lies in total within the Northern limestone alps including natural rivers, gorges, caves and other geological heritage shaped by water.
The Eisenwurzen region around the so called Erzberg mine has a rich history of ore mining and iron processing. During the 15th and 16th centuries, hammer masters, charcoal burners, and raftsmen shaped its golden age. With industrialization in the 19th century and the rising cost of charcoal, traditional iron production declined, leading to factory closures and emigration.
To revitalize the area, the Nature Park was founded in 1996, aiming to combine nature conservation, education, tourism, and regional development. Since 2002, it has been part of the Geopark Network, promoting sustainable development in harmony with nature and heritage.
The area is rich on:
- cultural heritage
- natural forests covering 80% of the Geopark
- diverse natural protection site including the only wilderness area and UNESCO World Heritage site of Austria
- lowest light pollution of middle Europe leading to a so called certified Dark Sky Reserve
- cultural landscape with alpine pastures, orchard meadows leading to typical culinary delights of Austria
What we offer:
All inclusive package includes:
- 1 overnight stay: 22.3. – 23.3.2026
- Food and beverages from Sunday evening (22.3.) until Monday (23.3.) lunchtime
- Transportation within the Geopark – and to the EGN CC Meeting in Karawanken/Karavanke
- Entrances and guided tours
What to bring:
- Outdoor clothes and proper shoes – There will be no alpine hikes, just small outdoor guided tours on flat paths. Winter and snow can still happen at the end of March in the region.
Program proposal
(Final program will be defined after registrations!)
22.3.2026
- Arrival of participants around 4:00 pm preferred in the Geopark municipality “Wildalpen”
- Small Winterwonderland hike including alpine scenery and lake + Dinner + Night at the Spring Water Museum Wildalpen
23.3.2026
- Start from the hotel around 9:00 am
- Exploring the wilderness of the “Salza river valley” via bus stops
- Geological Excursion in the Geopark village “Grossreifling” – the Earth’s history of the EisenwurzenAfterwards: Explore the cultural and natural heritage of the region in the Austrian Forestry museum
- Around 1:00 pm: Lunch at a regional partner’s restaurant
- Traveling to UGGp Karawanken/Karavanke
How to reach our region on Sunday by car or public transport:
- We help you out anytime for arrival if necessary
- By car: We are in the middle of Austria – Using Google Maps or other – if you enter: Wildalpen (final address will be provided) you find your way to the Geopark – it is the only village called like that in AustriaSome traveling times by car:
- Airport Klagenfurt 3 hours
- Airport Vienna 2 h 30 min
- Airport Graz 2 hours
- Airport Salzburg 3 hours
- Airport Munich (Germany) 4 Hours
- UGGp Karawanken/Karavanke (municipality Bleiburg) 3 hours
- By public transport:
We have on major train station where we can pick you up. The train station is called Weißenbach an der Enns/Sankt Gallen and is the gateway for guests from Vienna and other cities. If you only get as far as “Kleinreifling”, that’s no problem either, as the RegioBus will also take you from there to our nature park region. But we also can pick you up in Kleinreifling as it is just 15 minutes outside of the Geopark. The exact arrival and departure times for trains, buses, and shared taxis can be found at either fahrplan.oebb.at or verkehrsauskunft.verbundlinie.at.Again, we support you individually so that you arrive safely in our Geopark.
Price for the package:
195,- Euro per Person
