"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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Exhibition: Legendary castles and palaces

In its exhibition, the Neumarkter Hochtal Historical Working Group focuses on some of the region's most impressive...

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St. Lambrecht

Auerlingsee

The Auerlingsee is surrounded by a sense of mystery. Nestling in a delightful forest location, it is hidden away at the...

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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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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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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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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.

St. Lambrecht

Inn Torwirt

The inn, opposite the Benedictine monastery, is a traditional inn where everyone feels at home. Good home cooking,...

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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...

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Mühlen

Tonnerhütte

Culinary and communicative center in the alpine village "AlmDorf Tonnerhütte" at 1.600m above sea level. Best...

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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

Jausenstation Russkeusche

The rustic snack station "Russkeusche" is located on the way from the gorge "Graggerschlucht" to the "Graslupp" pond...

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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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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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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 Mareinerwirt

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

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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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Mühlen

Inn Gössler

GUESTGOUSE GÖSSLER - Eat well, sleep well, enjoy and experience nature! The inn in the nature park Zirbitzkogel -...

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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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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.