Geography Of Bad Gleichenberg

Bad Gleichenberg lies around 42 kilometers south of Graz and 9 kilometers south of Feldbach on the eastern edge of the Styrian hill region.Between two nearly parallel ranges of hills, the Riedel, about all streams empty south to the Mur, which is a component of the Drau/Danube river system.Not far from the Gleichenberger Kogeln, a stream empties into the Raab.

The Miocene East Styrian volcanic range alternates with young tertiary hill country and quaternary deposits in parallel valleys to define the geological landscape.The latter has the twin peaks Gleichenberge (598 m) about 3 km to the south and the Stradnerkogel (609 m) about north of the village.They are a component of the long transdanubian volcanic zone that runs through Burgenland and the hills from Slovenia to the Pannonian lowlands (Pauliberg).

Rising to 582 meters above sea level, the Stradner Kogel is the highest peak in the municipality. With its 260 meters above sea level, the Raab River is the lowest point. Perched on the eastern slope of the Stradner Kogel, the town provides a broad perspective of the surrounding area. The landscape of the town is shaped by the geological past of the Styrian Volcanic Region, which was created by volcanic activity in the Miocene and Pliocene eras.

Eleven communities comprise the municipality (as of January 1, 2022):

Bad Gleichenberg (1478) with Grünwald, Sulz and Wierberg
Bairisch Kölldorf (1003) with Absetz, Galgegg, Graben, Hansa, Kohlleiten, Muhrn, Peckl, Schern, Schneeberg, Stein, Steinbergen, Sulzberg and Wierberg
Gleichenberg village (615) with Bernreith , Steinriegl-Absetz, Vausulz and Wiesenthal
Hague (180) with Haagergreith
Courtyards (112)
Chiusa (163)
Merkendorf (Styria) (392) with Kogelfeld
Steinbach (211) with wooden pawns
Trautmannsdorf in East Styria (721) with Aichelzeil, Blödenbach, Hochegg, Kirchenberg, Kühgraben, Liergl and Meißl
Waldsberg (217) with Frauenberg, Kaargebirge and Pauga
Wilhelmsdorf (103) with Stöckelgrund

Location and Surroundings

Geographical Position

Location and Surroundings

Seated on the eastern side of the Styrian Basin, Bad Gleichenberg is 345 meters above sea level. Out of its 40.6 square kilometer area, 59.4% is wooded, 34.8% is agricultural land, and 5.8% is urban. The town is on the Gleichenbach, a Raab River tributary that empties into the Danube. 46° 51′ 36″ N, 15° 53′ 24″ E are the town center coordinates.

Neighboring Regions

Location and Surroundings

The towns of Bad Radkersburg to the east, Fehring to the north, Kapfenstein to the west, and Gnas to the south round out Bad Gleichenberg. Sixty kilometers to the northwest lies Graz, the capital of Styria; fifty kilometers to the south is Maribor, the second-largest city in Slovenia.

Access Points

Location and Surroundings

Several ways may be used to get to Bad Gleichenberg. It is linked by road to the A2 highway, which connects Klagenfurt and Ljubljana with Graz and Vienna. It is serviced by regional train line 730, which connects Graz with Spielfeld-Straß. Airwise, it is next to the Maribor Airport, which mostly handles charter flights, and the Graz Airport, which provides both domestic and international service. Busses run on the Verkehrsverbund Steiermark’s (Styrian Transport Association) regional network.

Physical Geography

Landforms in Bad Gleichenberg

Physical Geography

Mainly, the volcanic activity that produced the Styrian Volcanic Region influenced the landforms of Bad Gleichenberg. The village is dominated by the Stradner Kogel, a cone-shaped hill. With a crater at its peak, the Stradner Kogel is made up of tuff and basaltic lava. The thermal springs that sparked the town’s spa business are also sourced on the hill. Emerging from the fissures and crevices in the volcanic rock, the springs are 28°C in temperature and contain 1,200 mg of minerals per litre. Rich in calcium, magnesium, salt, and bicarbonate, the springs are medicinal for a number of diseases.

Situated to the south of Bad Gleichenberg, the Gleichenberger Kogel is another prominent landform. Standing 480 meters above sea level, the Gleichenberger Kogel is likewise composed of basaltic lava and tuff. Animals of many kinds call the hill, which is covered in a mixed forest of oak, beech, and pine trees, home. Popular hiking and bicycling spot Gleichenberger Kogel provides a picturesque vista over the town and its environs.

Rivers and Lakes

Physical Geography

The Gleichenbach is the principal stream of Bad Gleichenberg; it is 22 kilometers long and empties into the Raab River close to Bad Radkersburg. The Gleichenbach has a 113 square kilometer catchment area and a 1.2 cubic meter per second average discharge. Several tributaries, notably the Schützengraben, Schlossgraben, and Koglgraben, supply the stream. The Gleichenbach is a gravelly bed, meandering stream that is typical of lowland rivers. Brown trout, grayling, chub and crayfish are among the varied aquatic life that the stream supports.

Although Bad Gleichenberg lacks any natural lakes, it does feature a number of man-made ponds built for aesthetic and recreational reasons. 0.8 hectares in size, the Kurparkteich is the biggest pond in the spa park. A fountain, a bridge and a pavilion surround the pond, which is encircled by a well-designed garden. Along with hosting a number of events all year round, the pond is utilized for fishing and boating. The Schlossparkteich, the Waldparkteich, and the Golfparkteich are more ponds in Bad Gleichenberg.

Mountain Ranges Nearby

Physical Geography

Situated in the foothills of the Eastern Alps, which straddle Austria, Slovenia, Italy, and Switzerland, lies Bad Gleichenberg. Part of the Styrian Prealps, the Gleinalpe is the closest mountain range to the town, located northwest. Comprising limestone and dolomite, the Gleinalpe reaches its highest point at the Speikkogel, 1,995 meters above sea level. A well-liked hiking, skiing, and climbing destination, the Gleinalpe boasts a number of protected areas, including the Gleinalpe Nature Park and the Gleinalpe Biosphere Reserve.

Situated to the south and a part of the Southern Limestone Alps, the Pohorje is another mountain range near Bad Gleichenberg. The Pohorje reaches a maximum elevation of 1,543 meters above sea level at the Črni vrh and is mostly made up of metamorphic rocks, like gneiss and schist. Popular for hiking, riding, and skiing, the Pohorje boasts a number of natural wonders including the Šumik Waterfall, the Lovrenška Lakes, and the Pohorje Bog.

Natural Attractions

Natural features of Bad Gleichenberg are mostly associated with the town’s hot springs and surrounding natural beauty, which support the spa and wellness sector. The Kurhaus, Therme, and Heilbad are only a couple of the places in the town that provide different treatments and therapies utilizing the mineral water and regional items. Kurpark, Schlosspark, and Waldpark are just a few of the parks and green areas in the town that provide both inhabitants and tourists a calm and revitalizing atmosphere. The town’s varied and rich flora and fauna are also shown by a number of natural reserves and picturesque spots, including the Gleichenberg Moor, the Stradner Kogel, and the Gleichenberger Kogel.

Parks and Green Spaces

Natural Attractions

The parks and green areas of Bad Gleichenberg are among its most appealing aspects as they provide a calm and pleasant setting for leisure and entertainment. The parks and other green areas in the town are well planted and kept, with a variety of amenities and features including benches, fountains, playgrounds, and sculptures. Many rare and endangered flora and animals, like the European pond turtle, the fire salamander, and the orchid, call the town’s parks and green areas home.

Nestled in the center of the town, Kurpark is the biggest and most well-known park in the town. It spans 20 hectares. Among the oldest and most exquisite spa parks in Austria, the Kurpark was founded in 1835. Classical in form, the Kurpark features symmetrical walkways, geometric flower beds, and decorative trees. In addition, the Kurpark includes a bandstand, pavilion, fountain, and pond where events and performances are hosted all year round. Popular for strolling, running, biking, and picnics, the Kurpark also serves as the site of the Blumenkorso, the town’s yearly flower festival.

A further noteworthy park in Bad Gleichenberg is Schlosspark, a 10-hectare park situated on the western side of the town. Part of the old 12th-century Schloss Gleichenberg, the Schlosspark was built in the 19th century. A beautiful design, meandering walkways, natural ponds, and exotic vegetation characterize Schlosspark. Visitors may also take in the scents and hues of the flowers and herbs in the maze, herb garden, and rose garden at Schlosspark. A well-liked hiking, biking, and exploration spot, the Schlosspark also serves as the site of the town’s yearly Ritterspiele, a medieval celebration.

Situated on the southernmost point of the town, the 15-hectare Waldpark is the third park in Bad Gleichenberg. Part of the Gleichenberger Kogel, a volcanic peak providing a broad perspective over the town and the surroundings, the Waldpark was established in the 20th century. With streams, meadows and woodland paths, the Waldpark is naturally designed. In addition, the Waldpark has a playground, petting zoo, and wildlife park where guests may play and engage with the animals. A well-liked hiking, biking, and camping spot, the Waldpark also serves as the site of the town’s yearly Waldfest woodland celebration.

Nature Reserves

Natural Attractions

The state and municipality of Bad Gleichenberg maintain the natural reserves, which are places safeguarded for their ecological and scientific worth. Numerous ecosystems and species, some of which are indigenous and exclusive to the area, are found in the town’s natural reserves. Public nature reserves in the town also provide leisure and educational activities like guided tours, workshops, and exhibitions.

Stretching over 120 hectares on the eastern outskirts of the town, the Stradner Kogel is the biggest and most significant natural reserve in the town. The town’s hot springs originate atop the 582-meter-tall Stradner Kogel volcanic cone. Because it has so many rock formations, fossils, minerals, and springs, the Stradner Kogel is a geological and ecological hotspot. Because of its unique and varied flora and fauna, which includes the Stradner orchid, Stradner snail, and Stradner butterfly, the Stradner Kogel is likewise a botanical and zoological hotspot. Popular with aficionados of geology, botany, and zoology, the Stradner Kogel serves as the site of the town’s yearly Geoparkfest.

Gleichenberg Moor is a 30 acre natural reserve situated on the northern outskirts of Bad Gleichenberg. Organic material building up in a marsh created the Gleichenberg Moor, a peat bog. Being a hydrological and climatic phenomena, the Gleichenberg Moor controls the local temperature and water cycle. Being home to a distinct and specialized flora and fauna including cotton grass, moor frogs, and sundew, the Gleichenberg Moor is also a biological phenomena. Enthusiasts of hydrology, climatology, and ecology frequent Gleichenberg Moor, which also serves as the site of the town’s yearly moor celebration, Moorfest.

Scenic Points of Interest

Natural Attractions

The picturesque spots in Bad Gleichenberg are those that provide an amazing and unforgettable perspective of the town and its environs. The picturesque spots in the town are easily reached by vehicle, bike, or foot and include a range of services and facilities including information boards, rest places, and parking spaces. The picturesque areas of the town are also ideal for a variety of pursuits, like sightseeing, photography, and leisure.

Perched atop the Stradner Kogel, the Aussichtswarte is the most well-known and frequented picturesque attraction in the town. 25 meters high, the Aussichtswarte is a timber observation tower constructed in 1896. Offering a full 360-degree perspective of the town and its environs, the Aussichtswarte overlooks the Slovenian Hills, the Eastern Alps, and the Styrian Basin. Popular with both visitors and residents, the Aussichtswarte serves as the location for the Feuerwerk, the town’s yearly fireworks display.

Situated on the westernmost tip of Bad Gleichenberg, Schloss Gleichenberg is another picturesque site. The aristocratic Gleichenberg family lived at the famous Schloss Gleichenberg, which dates back to the twelf century. A view of the Gleinalpe, the Pohorje, the town and the Schlosspark are available from the Schloss Gleichenberg. Popular among history and culture buffs, the Schloss Gleichenberg hosts the town’s yearly Schlossfest, a castle festival.

Nestled on the southernmost tip of Bad Gleichenberg, the Gleichenberger Kogel is a third beautiful attraction. Rising approximately 480 metres above sea level, the Gleichenberger Kogel is a volcanic cone encircled by a mixed woodland. A view of the Styrian Volcanic Region, the Slovenian Hills, the town and the Waldpark are all available from the Gleichenberger Kogel. Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, the Gleichenberger Kogel serves as the site of the town’s yearly Hügelfest, a hill celebration.

Administrative Divisions

In the state of Styria’s Südoststeiermark area, Bad Gleichenberg is a town and a municipality. Eleven settlements comprise the municipality: Bad Gleichenberg, Bairisch Kölldorf, Gleichenberg Dorf, Klausen, Lauterbach, Oberstorcha, Rodersdorf, Sankt Kind, Steinbach, Trautmannsdorf in Oststeiermark, and Unterstorcha. The localities are split even further into 25 cadastral communities, the tiniest administrative divisions in Austria. 2177 people live in the 40.6 square kilometer municipality.

The municipal government and administration are housed in the town of Bad Gleichenberg, which is also the biggest and most significant community in the municipality. The population of the 5.7 square kilometer town is 1,117. The spa and tourism sectors of the municipality, together with its culture and educational institutions, are concentrated in the town.