Halbenrain: Mur Floodplains, Castle and Culture

Halbenrain combines nature experiences, architectural history and family-friendly route options to create a diverse destination. The K13 Mur Floodplains Trail starts in front of Halbenrain railway station and leads through Austria’s second-largest contiguous floodplain forest area. It has been a Natura 2000 site and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for many years. Two options of 5 kilometres and 8.5 kilometres are available for planning a day of your holiday; both are suitable for pushchairs.

Discover nature: the K13 Mur Floodplains Trail

If you enjoy combining exercise and scenery when travelling, the K13 offers a clear choice between two route lengths. The starting point at the railway station makes it easier to find your way on this excursion. At the same time, the route remains closely connected to the Mur floodplains: the trail leads through an important floodplain forest area whose protected status and landscape character shape the excursion. Those travelling with children of different ages can choose the length to suit their planned daily rhythm, without needing to assume any additional route information or walking time.

Halbenrain Castle and the history of the village

Halbenrain Castle offers a different perspective on the municipality. The castle was formerly the manor of the Counts of Stürgkh. The present building dates largely from the 16th and 17th centuries and is regarded as a South Styrian sight of architectural and art-historical importance. The castle therefore complements the nature trail with a historical focus. For planning your trip, Halbenrain can thus be of interest both for an active stay in the Mur floodplains and for cultural and historical discoveries.

Parish Church and Herb Garden

The parish church of St Nicholas is also part of the village’s history. It is a listed monument and was first mentioned in documents in 1418. The Baroque rebuilding was consecrated in 1717. A Loreto chapel containing the burial place of the Counts of Stürgkh is attached to the east side. The individual years tell different chapters of the building’s history and should therefore be considered according to their respective significance.

Another special stop is the herb garden. More than 150 medicinal, useful and culinary plants grow there. They are arranged into seven groups according to their effects. This makes the garden an appealing addition for travellers who would like to include landscaped nature and botanical knowledge in their holiday days alongside trails and historic buildings.

Halbenrain as a starting point for your accommodation search

If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Halbenrain, you can base your decision on your preferred holiday activities. The K13 Mur Floodplains Trail favours planning days focused on nature and exercise, while Halbenrain Castle, the parish church and the herb garden add cultural and peaceful discoveries. The two K13 options are particularly relevant if you are travelling with a pushchair and would like to choose between 5 kilometres and 8.5 kilometres.

There is also a regional connection for cycling travellers: the cycle bridge in Donnersdorf is part of the Grenzenlose Murauen-Tour cycling route and connects Austria with Slovenia. If you would like to compare other places beyond Halbenrain, you can also include Deutsch Goritz, Mureck, Mühldorf Bei Feldbach, Klöchberg, Deutsch Haseldorf, Waasen Am Berg, Neusetz and Maierdorf in your further search.

For the overarching travel overview: Southeast Styria.