Sankt Martin: Natura Trail, swimming pond and winter sports

In Sankt Martin, you can tailor your stay to a wide range of interests: the Natura Trail takes you through the countryside along the Lainsitz, swimming and beach volleyball are the main attractions at the natural swimming pond, and in winter there are cross-country skiing and downhill skiing options. The parish church and a farm shop also add to the choice. Which activities you focus on will depend on whether you want to spend time outdoors, get active or explore architecture.

Nature and hiking routes

The “Lainsitz bei Sankt Martin” Natura Trail is a hiking experience in a Natura 2000 protected area along the Green Belt. Following the Lainsitz, the trail passes through floodplain meadows and a small-scale, extensively farmed cultural landscape. This includes fields, rocky hills, terraces, hedgerows and semi-natural mixed forests. The landscape along the trail is shaped by open areas as well as wooded areas and semi-natural mixed forests.

The Natura Trail routes start either at Harmanschlag village square or at Steinbach-Bad Großpertholz railway station. Depending on the route, they take between two and five hours. This range can help you plan how much time to allow for your chosen option; route conditions may vary. The “Nebelstein Route” offers a different itinerary: from Sankt Martin, it first follows the Lainsitz and the narrow-gauge railway before climbing to Nebelstein. While the Natura Trail routes take between two and five hours depending on the option, the Nebelstein Route first follows the Lainsitz and the narrow-gauge railway, then climbs to Nebelstein.

Swimming pond and seasonal winter sports

The St. Martin natural swimming pond offers opportunities for swimming and bathing, as well as two beach volleyball courts and barbecue facilities. The kiosk is open on sunny days in summer. This makes the swimming pond particularly well suited to a visit in the warmer months; when planning, take note of the stated seasonal and weather conditions for the kiosk.

In winter, 25 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails wind through snow-covered forests at the Arra lifts. The Arra lifts family ski area in Harmanschlag has three drag lifts, floodlighting and snow cannons; it operates seasonally. The archery course run by the ARRA Bogensportclub Harmanschlag also starts right in Harmanschlag, next to the Arra lifts. It covers 10.5 hectares and runs mostly through forest. So, alongside the ski trails and ski area, there is also a course with its own focus and a clearly described route through the woods.

Church, railway and regional produce

Sankt Martin parish church was originally built in the Romanesque style. It was probably founded by Hadmar II of Kuenring, who died in 1217. The church retains a Romanesque twin window, a single-light Gothic tracery window and a Romanesque sacristy, built onto the north side of the tower. The combination of Romanesque and Gothic architectural features makes the church a destination in its own right for visitors interested in architecture.

The Waldviertel narrow-gauge railway runs into the municipality of Sankt Martin as far as Steinbach-Bad Großpertholz railway station, which is also listed as the starting point for a Natura Trail route. The Erlebnis Stein&Garten – Anderl am Berg farm shop offers Angus beef specialities and products from the kitchen, farm and garden; check availability before your visit. After a guided tour, Erlebnis Stein&Garten – Anderl am Berg serves Angus beef delicacies and homemade fruit juices at its snack station. When planning your trip, you can weigh up hiking routes, seasonal activities and individual cultural and culinary destinations.

Discover more destinations: Bad Großpertholz, Moorbad Harbach, Lauterbach, Hoheneich, Hirschenwies, Schrems, Weitra, Sankt Wolfgang.

Return to the main travel overview: Gmünd.