© 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
    © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm

    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.

    NaturLesePark - Skulpturen | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Graggerschlucht | © Tourismusverband Murau | René Hochegger | © Tourismusverband Murau
    St. Lambrecht von oben | © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm | © Holzwelt Murau
    St. Lambrecht von oben | © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm | © Holzwelt Murau
    Kirche von Mariahof | © Tourismusverband Murau | René Hochegger | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Steinschloss | © Tourismusverband Murau | marygoodfoto | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Gipfelsieg | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tom Lamm | © Tourismusverband Murau
    via natura etappe 8: arbeiten im einklang mit der natur_img_18276253 | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Burgruine Dürnstein | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Burgruine Dürnstein | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    © 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.

    29 results
    Wasserfall | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Graggerschlucht und Kaskadenwasserfall

    The "bionic island" is the starting point for a hike through the wildly romantic gorge "Graggerschlucht". There is a...
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    Aussichtsturm 7 Kirchen-Blick | © Verband der Naturparke Österreich
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Seven churches lookout tower

    Close to the 'Buschenschenke Zeischgl' in Mitterberg is this 14 metre high tower which affords a fantastic view of the...
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    Ofen in Zeutschach
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Kalkofen Zeutschach

    Burnt lime was once used as a construction material and, due to its high pH value, as a classic disinfectant. With...
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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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    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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    Eingangsbereich
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Natechnikum

    The former Vivarium became the Natechnikum! An exhibition under the motto "House of Diversity", a "technical...
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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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    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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    Ursprungsquelle | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Ursprungsquelle Zeutschach

    Between 90 and 120 liters per second of pure, oxygen-rich drinking water bubbles out of the ground here. The excellent...
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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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    Miravita Garten
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Miravita - The garden of life phases

    In the middle of Neumarkt, with a view of the Zirbitzkogel, there is a private garden that is probably unique in the...
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    Außenansicht | © Andreas Staudinger
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Castle Lind

    The OTHER museum of loca history/"Schloss Lind" deals with recent contemporary and social history in the form of...
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    29 results

    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.  

    Gössler
    • Mühlen

    Inn Gössler

    GUESTGOUSE GÖSSLER - Eat well, sleep well, enjoy and experience nature! The inn in the nature park Zirbitzkogel -...
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    Gh Ritzinger | © Armin Ritzinger
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Kirchenwirt Inn Ritzinger

    Family Ritzinger is looking forward to your coming. Suitable for bus groups, celebrations of all kinds. Advance...
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    Zirbitzkogelschutzhaus
    • Mühlen

    Zirbitzkogel Schutzhaus

    Just 20 meters below the summit of the Zirbitzkogel is a serviced hut, the Zirbitzkogel-Schutzhaus at 2376 m,...
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    Alpengasthof Moser | © Alpengasthof Moser
    • St. Lambrecht

    Alpengasthof Moser

    Soft meadows and forests, a small pond, a few farms, wonderful views and wonderful peace. Where is this paradise to...
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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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    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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    Cafe Central | © Julia Schwarz
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Café Central

    Classic Viennese coffee house in the heart of Neumarkt.
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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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    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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    Winter | © Gasthof Steiner
    • Mühlen

    Inn Steiner Mondorf

    Gladly let you look over your shoulder while baking bread in the wood-fired oven. Please book in advance. You are...
    More Details
    Dreiwiesenhütte | © Andrea Kerschbaumer
    • St. Lambrecht

    Dreiwiesenhütte

    In the middle of the forest and lake region of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park lies the Dreiwiesen cabin at...
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    Buschenschank Zeischgl | © Ferdinand Wölfl
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Buschenschank Zeischgl

    Cozy cider tavern with a great view at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. Whether in the orchard, in the...
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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.

    © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm

    Summer in the Murau region