"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.

Go to the full route of the Via Natura trail

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.

Via Natura Stage 1: NatureReadingLearn

Via Natura Stage 2: Nature as a source of... ...

Via Natura Stage 3: The nature of water

Via Natura Stage 4: Sound in nature and... ...

Via Natura Stage 5: The Biography of the Earth

Via Natura Stage 6: People and Plants

Via Natura - Stage 7: Weather and climate

Via Natura stage 8: Working in harmony with nature

Via Natura stage 9: Energy fields in nature

Via Natura Stage 10: Power points in people and... ...

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.

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Mühlen

Historische Schmiede Noreia

Fancy a personal vacation souvenir? Then you are in the right place.

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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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Castle ruins Steinschloss

Across the bottom of the Mur valley, on a steeply rising rock, is the mighty, once five-towered, fortification, and...

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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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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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St. Lambrecht

Klamm St. Lambrecht

Designated as natural monument, the gorge in St. Lambrecht is just a few minutes away from the monastery. A remnant of...

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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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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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St. Lambrecht

Chapel Mühlsteinboden

According to legend, the Mühlsteinboden was a witches' mountain. Bad storms are said to have showered it with their...

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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

NatureReading and Generation Park

This park, artistically laid out in the shape of a leaf and featuring unusual sculptures, quotes from philosophers and...

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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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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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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.

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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Inn Pöllauerhof

"Gastronomy with tradition for over 600 years" The traditional inn with organic farming is located at 1142m above sea...

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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Inn Knappenwirt

In the idyllic setting of the "Murtal", modern cuisine meets styrian plain fare at the Knappenwirt in Mariahof. There...

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St. Lambrecht

Gruber Alm

Mrs. Erika Gruber is one of the gastronomic fixed stars in St. Lambrecht.

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St. Lambrecht

Jerá at the Grebenzen

The quaintest hut in the Grebenzen ski area, simply full of charm and love, has been offering the best Italian...

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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Inn & Italian Restaurant - Jerá am Furtnerteich

Located directly on the banks of the Furtnerteich lake, the restaurant offers Italian specialties and Italian wines...

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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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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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Inn Mareinerwirt

The Mareinerwirt will spoil you with local and traditional dishes, but also with culinary delicacies. They serve fried...

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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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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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Mühlen

Campinggasthaus am Badesee

Welcome to the cozy camping inn with sun terrace directly at the Mühlner Badesee. Here, a lot revolves around 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.