"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

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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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

Inn Seeblick

Family farm with inn - horseback riding, swimming and in addition a great hiking area!In the beautiful resort of...

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St. Lambrecht

Jausenstation Straussenhof Wallner

The snack station in St. Blasen offers delicious delicacies - among others from our own farm! Taste delicacies around...

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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

Jausenstation Russkeusche

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

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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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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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Café Central

Classic Viennese coffee house in the heart of Neumarkt.

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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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St. Lambrecht

Gruber Alm

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

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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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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.