Stein: Fishpond, columnar basalt deposit and Magdalena Sunday

Stein offers several distinct points of interest when choosing a destination: the town’s name refers to a rare volcanic columnar basalt deposit, the Stein fishpond is set in idyllic surroundings, and Magdalena Sunday is associated with the Magdalena Chapel. Nature, local history and local tradition thus appeal to different interests. If you are choosing specific themes for your stay, the routes, the former use of the quarry or the celebration of the patronal feast may tip the balance. The Wein-Rast-Platzl adds a distinct place to stop and enjoy local fare at the fishpond.

Hiking trail and fishpond

The Rund um Stein / Trail 3 hiking trail descends about 1.5 km to the Stein fishpond. A further route description covers the stretch after the fishpond: for just under one kilometre, the trail runs alongside the disused quarry. For orientation, the direction and reference point matter: Trail 3 identifies the descent to the pond, while the second description covers the section alongside the quarry afterwards. The comparison gives a clear idea of the route and approximate distances: the roughly 1.5 km to the fishpond is longer than the just-under-one-kilometre stretch alongside the quarry. The fishpond is set in idyllic surroundings. It can therefore be considered both a named destination on Trail 3 and a natural attraction in its own right when planning a trip.

Basalt, quarry and nature conservation

The name Stein refers to a rare volcanic columnar basalt deposit. Until the end of 1940, the disused quarry in Stein supplied crushed stone for road construction. The Turk’s cap lily is protected alongside the quarry. Three aspects should be distinguished: the geological feature reflected in the town’s name, the former production of crushed stone and the protected plant by the quarry. The date, up to the end of 1940, places the quarry in its historical role as a production site; the plant’s protected status gives the nature theme a focus of its own. Travellers interested in geology, local history or nature conservation will each find a specific point of interest here.

Magdalena Sunday and the chapel

The 2025 parish newsletter describes Magdalena Sunday in Stein as an established local patronal feast in honour of Saint Magdalena. It notes that, traditionally, the Mass is held in front of the Magdalena Chapel to accommodate the congregation, with musical accompaniment by the Unterlamm Music Association. Here, “patronal feast” refers to the religious occasion for the celebration: the honour is bestowed on Saint Magdalena. The chapel and musical accompaniment give the Sunday further distinctive features. For travellers who include local traditions in their choice of destination, the celebration is a cultural highlight alongside the hiking trails and quarry history.

A break and regional products by the pond

At the Stein fishpond, the Wein-Rast-Platzl invites visitors to relax. The Wein-Rast-Platzl Buschenschank Thurner offers regional products for self-service, particularly wine and juices. When planning a trip, the pond serves two purposes: it is the trail’s destination and a place to stop and enjoy regional products.

Discover more destinations: Obertiefenbach, Stubenberg, Riegersdorf, Geiseldorf, Sankt Jakob im Walde, Burgau, Pöllauberg, Sankt Lorenzen am Wechsel

Go to the main travel overview: Hartberg-Fürstenfeld.