© 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.

    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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    Hoher Steg | © Holzwelt Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    High bridge

    Deep below, the Kühbach rushes past, above, the High Bridge connects the two banks. It was built in 1998 to replace...
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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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    Klamm mit Steg | © Peter Hochleitner
    • 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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    Schloss mit Aussicht | © TV Murau, Tom Lamm
    • open today
    • 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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    NaturLese- und Generationenpark | © Holzwelt Murau
    • open today
    • 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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    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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    früherer Altar | © Verein Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Church ruins of St. Georgen

    Behind a farm in St. Georgen, archeologists have unearthed the remains of St. George's Church, which burned down 200...
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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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    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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    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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    Burg Dürnstein - Burgansicht | © Archiv Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Castle Dürnstein

    On the border between Styria and Carinthia, the ruins of Dürnstein castle, built in the 11th century by Duke Henry III...
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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.  

    Stifterl
    • 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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    Jerá an der Grebenzen | © ikarus.cc
    • 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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    Gasthof zur Linde | © Tom Lamm
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn zur Linde

    The "***Hotel Gasthof zur Linde" - located in the middle of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen nature park in neumarkt in...
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    Gh Ritzinger | © Armin Ritzinger
    • 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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    Außenanlage | © Reinhard Bischof
    • 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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    Außenansicht Knappenwirt | © Gasthof Knappenwirt
    • open today
    • 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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    Jera am Furtnerteich
    • open today
    • 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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    Steinschlosshütte neben der Burgruine | © Alexander Trienitz
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Steinschlosshütte

    The Steinschloßhütte is located directly under the castle ruins that give it its name. Idyllically located, the hut...
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    GH Rauchenwald | © Susanne Rauchenwald
    • Mühlen

    Guest house Rauchenwald

    Quaint and cozy family business with organic farming.
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    Hirschenwirt | © Gasthaus Hirschenwirt
    • Mühlen

    Inn Hirschenwirt

    BEING A GUEST MEANS BEING WELCOMEIn their family business in Mühlen in Styria, which has been awarded the title "Gute...
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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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    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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    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