© Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    "NaturLesen" in ten stages

    The Via Natura trail – a long-distance hike in the Murau region

    Hiking in the Murau region feels good and benefits your health. The Via Natura trail leads through Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park. On a total of 130 kilometres, hikers’ hearts rejoice at beautiful natural sites.

    The long-distance hiking trail invites its visitors on a journey of exploration. The route inspires them to get to know and understand the interplay between man and nature. It’s all about developing an understanding of what the environment wants to express with its colours, shapes, and natural phenomena.

    A hike for the whole family: The discoveries that can be made along the child-friendly sections of the long-distance trail are bound to make your little ones’ eyes light up.

    Good to know: Free parking is available at the main square in Neumarkt.

    The hiking route in a nutshell

    • Start: main square in Neumarkt
    • Endpoint: main square in Neumarkt
    • Distance: 129.4 km
    • Stages: 10
    • Difficulty: medium

    ROUTE DESCRIPTION OF THE VIA NATURA TRAIL

    The starting point of the long-distance trail is at the main square in Neumarkt. From there, you’ll follow the yellow signs that say "Weg Nr. NL1" in the direction of Mariahof and continue on through the Neumarkt forest. The route then leads you to the Green Classroom, the Nature Reading Park and finally to St. Marein.

    The route continues through Graggerschlucht gorge to Zeutschach, to the river Zeutschach’s spring and via Maria Schönanger to Grebenzen (1,870 metres in altitude). From there, the hiking trail continues to St. Lambrecht.

    Overcoming a slight ascent, you’ll hike to St. Blasen and from there towards Dürnberger Moor/Mariahof. Via the Steinschloss Castle ruins, hikers reach Perchau and finally – via Oberberger Alm – get to Zirbitzkogel, which boasts an altitude of 2,396 metres.

    You’ll descend via Tonnerhütte, the villages of Mühlen and Kulm to Dürnstein. The last stage takes you from Dürnstein back to the starting point at Neumarkt's main square.

    The 10 stages and thematic focal points of the Via Natura trail

    On the Via Natura hiking trail, everything revolves around reading the big book of nature. Step by step, hikers are brought closer to nature along a route of around 130 kilometres.

    The hike comprises ten sections, and in each one a wide variety of natural treasures are waiting to be discovered.

    © Verein Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen | tricky.pics

    READING NATURE - WHAT IS IT?

    NatureReading is more than just a trend - it's a journey to learn from nature and discover its fascinating secrets without exploiting it. Have you ever wondered where the Velcro fastener, the parachute or even your sportswear found their inspiration? If not, then it's high time for a crash course in nature reading.

    Places of interest along the Via Natura

    In addition to nature and nature reading, the history and culture along the way are also in the foreground. Be inspired by the numerous sights along the Via Natura.

    Peterskirche
    • St. Lambrecht

    St. Peter's Church

    The Gothic St. Peter's Church in St. Lambrecht Abbey underwent a bold adaptation in 2017. Even the front building gives...
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    Sonnenuntergang im Stiftsgarten | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Abbey garden St. Lambrecht

    This wonderful complex with the pavilion at its centre was set out in the middle of the 17th century according to plans...
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    Schmiede Noreia
    • Mühlen

    Historische Schmiede Noreia

    Fancy a personal vacation souvenir? Then you are in the right place.
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    Hochofen Pöllau | © Archiv Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen, Peham Evelyne
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Hochofen Pöllau

    As far back as 1430, the Benedictine monastery of St. Lambrecht was granted imperial rights to dig for ore on its own...
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    Wandermärchen Hans im Glück | © Marieke Wernig
    • Mühlen

    Wandering fairy tale Hans in Luck

    Join "Hans in luck" on his adventurous journey and learn what he has gone through at seven stops. A beautiful hiking...
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    Weg zum Pöllauer Ursprung | © Gerda Kasparec
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Ursprungsquelle Pöllau

    The waterproof rock in the interior of the mountain "Grebenzen" reveals the origin spring of Pöllau.
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    Keltendorf am Badesee | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Adventure mile by the lake

    The sunny Mühlner Badesee is located at the foot of the Zirbitzkogel. A walk around the Mühlner Badesee promises fun...
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    Park Schloss Lind
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Landscape Park Schloss Lind

    The freely accessible landscaped park at Lind Castle with its Other Local History Museum in Neumarkt is the first port...
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    Ortstafel | © Archiv Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • Mühlen

    Keltisches Museum Noreia

    Since excavations uncovered an entire town and the present village in the municipality "Mühlen" was given the name of...
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    Schneewittchen | © Gasthof Seeblick
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Naturpark Märchenrätselwald

    Fun and games for children and the young at heart. In the middle of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, the family...
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    Schaubienenstock_2
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    NaturLese-Museum Neumarkt

    Discover the fascinating world of nature at the reading nature museum in Neumarkt. In our interactive hands-on museum,...
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    Alte Bauernmühle | © Holzwelt Murau
    • Mühlen

    Old Bauernmühle

    You can have a go at milling in the old farm mill. Run water over the millstone, shake on the grain and mill the corn...
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    Refreshment stops along the Via Natura

    Experience the culinary variety!

    Along the Via Natura you will find a variety of places to stop for refreshments: cosy inns, traditional taverns and rustic mountain huts serving regional specialities.  

    Zecki's Hütte | © Zecki's Hütte
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Zecki's hut and ZeckiLand

    Ideal family excursion destination for everyone!
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    Schönangerhütte
    • St. Lambrecht

    Schönangerhütte

    Gasthaus Schönanger is located at 1331 m above sea level and is right next to the Maria Schönanger pilgrimage...
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    Gruber Alm | © ikarus.cc
    • St. Lambrecht

    Gruber Alm

    Mrs. Erika Gruber is one of the gastronomic fixed stars in St. Lambrecht.
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    Gasthof Pension Leitner | © Carina Holzer
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Gasthof Pension Leitner

    Gasthof Pension Leitner is located near the border with Carinthia (castle town Friesach). Here about 40 guests are...
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    Logo
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Café Claudia

    Werner’s cafe bar is located right on the main square in Neumarkt and is an ideal meeting point for young and old.
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    Restaurant - Bistro Golfblick | © Restaurant - Bistro Golfblick
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Restaurant Golfblick, Sabine kocht´s

    Enjoyment with a golf course view! The team at the Restaurant Golfblick cordially invites you to spend enjoyable and...
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    GH Fischerwirt
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn Fischerwirt

    Inn with a direct location between the two "Graslupp" ponds. Homemade cuisine with fish dishes as a recommendation. And...
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    Hausgemachte Strudel | © Moorstüberl
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Mostschenke Moorstüberl

    Hiking in Mariahof, exploring the "Dürnberger" moor and then having a good snack in the cozy "Zirbenstüberl" or in...
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    Auszeit Hotel | © Mesic
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Auszeit Hotel St. Lambrecht

    Here you will find ideal vacation offers in the middle of the Murau region. Relaxing and active time with the whole...
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    Tonnerhütte 1 | © Tom Lamm
    • Mühlen

    Tonnerhütte

    Culinary and communicative center in the alpine village "AlmDorf Tonnerhütte" at 1.600m above sea level. Best...
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    GH Rauchenwald | © Susanne Rauchenwald
    • Mühlen

    Guest house Rauchenwald

    Quaint and cozy family business with organic farming.
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    Stifterl
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Wirtshaus Stifterl

    A Styrian inn - from the house to the wine to the food. That is the Stifterl in St. Lambrecht. Enjoy tasty dishes and...
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    Hiking in the Murau region

    The Via Natura hiking trail is just one of the many routes that lead through the Murau region. On our hiking routes page, you can find other routes such as the Eight-Mountain Hike or the Murau High-Altitude Trails.

    Summer in the Murau region