Bike Riding Etappe 04 Weinland Steiermark Radtour Graz - St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Touren-Impression #1 | © TV St. Ruprecht an der Raab/Die Mosbacher' s Bike Riding Etappe 04 Weinland Steiermark Radtour Graz - St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Touren-Impression #1 | © TV St. Ruprecht an der Raab/Die Mosbacher' s

Etappe 04 Weinland Steiermark Radtour Graz - St. Ruprecht an der Raab

This cycling tour connects the Capital of Culture Graz with Eastern Styria, fondly known as the Garden of Austria. In between lies a fairly challenging climb up to Lassnitzhöhe, which rewards us with stunning views and a visit to the historic spa town.

Graz and Eastern Styria are synonymous with zest for life and a true culture of enjoyment. Graz offers a wealth of museums, galleries, architecture, and UNESCO World Heritage sites that accompany us on a journey of discovery through the city. This diversity, together with its visionary spirit, was likely also the reason why Graz was named City of Design only a few years ago. In Steiermark, culture is always closely linked with culinary delights.

Before setting off in Graz, it is almost a must to immerse yourself fully in the southern way of life: whether through the Culinary Walk, the Long Table of the Capital of Delight, or a visit to one of the farmers’ markets right in the midst of the city bustle, each offers a particularly pleasurable way to do so. Eastern Styria, on the other hand, welcomes us on this stage in the historic town of Gleisdorf with its charming art and culture scene and the Eastern Styrian Roman Wine Route, which whets our appetite for the next stages of our cycling tour through wine country.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

Best season

January
February
March
November
December

The tour in numbers

medium
Level of difficulty
42,7 km
Route
4:00 h
Time
237 hm
Uphill
210 hm
Downhill
536 m
Highest point

Map & downloads

More information

Detailed information about arrival can be found here.

The most beautiful place to start this cycling tour in Graz is surely the Old Town, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here we bid a gentle farewell to the Schlossberg with its striking clock tower, already looking forward to seeing it again soon. Following the Murradweg R2, we first head south along the Mur, the largest river in Styria. Along this route you will also find the Puch Museum Graz, which houses a collection of historic pieces from the legendary Johann Puch. Among them is a safety bicycle from 1889, dating back to the very days when Johann Puch began his career in Graz. It is one of the oldest bicycles still on display in Styria. After just a few kilometres, we pass the Puntigam golf course before crossing to the eastern side via the Gasrohrsteg to join the Mostwärtsradweg R49. This route takes us through the south-eastern districts of Graz, eventually leading us out of the Styrian capital at Raaba on the city’s edge. From here the steadily ascending cycle path brings us straight into the spa town of Lassnitzhöhe, which impresses with its architecture as well as its landscaped parks.

Modernity and tradition meet in Lassnitzhöhe in many different ways, inviting us to linger. During the summer months, spa concerts in the Kurpark fill the air with cheerful sounds, framed by a colourful sea of blossoms and floral decorations. Those particularly interested in the villa landscape can set off on the pleasant Villa Trail. Thanks to its unique location, numerous villas were built here during the Gründerzeit era when spa tourism flourished, providing accommodation and treatments for spa guests. Today, many of these villas house charming guesthouses and holiday apartments. The leaflet for the Villa Trail is available at the Lassnitzhöhe tourist office. Our journey then continues towards Gleisdorf, the gateway to Eastern Styria. Passing through small villages such as Lassnitzthal and Flöcking, we enjoy a relaxed downhill ride and pass the Genussvinothek Hütter before reaching the historic small town of Gleisdorf, where we switch from the Mostwärtsradweg R49 to the Raabtalradweg R11 at the town park.

The town of Gleisdorf has gained a reputation especially in the field of art and culture, thanks to its close collaboration with regional artists and cultural initiatives. The Town Hall Museum is just one of the little treasures well worth a visit. From the main square, the Raabtalradweg R11 continues along Hartberger Strasse towards the outskirts, where we soon turn left, pass under the main road, and reach the traffic-free cycle path that leads us northwards.

At an easy pace, the route takes us through the peaceful villages of Albersdorf and Wollsdorf, heading towards St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Before reaching today’s stage destination, we should not miss the Kernothek of the Steirerkraft company – a small paradise for gourmets and lovers of Styrian products. To get there, we turn left at the end of Wollsdorf and, after a few hundred metres, arrive at the Kernothek on the Steirerkraft premises. Here we can sample the products, shop, and even fill our own pumpkin seed oil freshly from the tank. Returning to the Raabtalradweg R11, we soon pass through an underpass before turning right. The cycle path, with a section newly opened in 2014, takes us directly to St. Ruprecht an der Raab, one of the oldest settlements in Eastern Styria.

The historic town of St. Ruprecht an der Raab is wholeheartedly dedicated to the Käferbohne (scarlet runner bean). The range offered in its numerous restaurants stretches from the classic Käferbohnen salad to Käferbohnen bread rolls and even Käferbohnen ice cream – probably unique in the world. To round off the day, not only do the many cosy restaurants invite us to linger, but also the river and adventure pool – incidentally the oldest river bath in Styria. In such an atmosphere it is easy to plan the next day, the stage to Hartberg.

Tip: Those who wish to truly reward themselves and indulge in style should book a culinary tour through St. Ruprecht an der Raab in advance: six culinary stations in the historic centre of St. Ruprecht an der Raab are waiting to be tasted. It is a leisurely stroll with delicious stopovers – a six-course menu including wine or juice pairings. At each host you are served one course, allowing you to enjoy both the flavours and the gentle pace. A relaxed walk thus becomes a culinary experience.

In the Thermal & Volcano Region, Eastern Styria, Southern Styria and the GrazAdventure Region, the GenussCard gives you free entry to more than 280 attractions when staying at one of the GenussCard partner accommodations. Many of these exciting destinations – from culinary workshops and artisan producers to swimming lakes and museums – are located right along the Styrian WineCountry Cycle Tour.

Getting there by public transport
ÖBB: www.oebb.at or Verbundlinie Styria: www.busbahnbim.at

Arriving at Graz station, the HR 12 cycle route (Main Cycle Route 12) leads via Keplerstraße to the Mur Cycle Route, which in Graz forms part of the Styrian Wine Country Cycle Route.

Tip: Those who want to avoid the climb to Laßnitzhöhe can also take the rapid transit train running parallel to the cycle route. One possible boarding point is Raaba on the outskirts of Graz. From here, you can reach Laßnitzhöhe in just a few minutes (2 stops) on the S3 rapid transit line, from where you can continue your cycling tour with a leisurely descent to Gleisdorf.

From the small town of Fehring, located on the stage Therme Loipersdorf - Bad Radkersburg, the S3/S31 rapid transit line runs via Gleisdorf to St. Ruprecht an der Raab. This way, short-break travelers can also split the Styrian Wine Country Cycle Route into several trips.

With the BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie, planning your journey has never been easier. Simply enter a place name, address, stop, or point of interest to get real-time connections for buses, trains, and trams across Austria. The app is free and available for smartphones (Android and iOS) – on Google Play and the App Store.


Detailed information about parking options in Graz can be found here.
Please note that Graz also has parking zones on the outskirts of the city which are not short-term parking zones and are connected to the city center via Graz’s main cycle route network.


If you would like to hire a tour operator simply book your trip with Steiermark Touristik, the official travel agency of Steiermark Tourism:
Tel. +43 316 4003450 | www.steiermark-touristik.com

Further information

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003, www.steiermark.com

TV Erlebnisregion Graz, Tel. +43 316 8075, www.regiongraz.at 

TV Oststeiermark, Tel. +43 3335 47147, www.oststeiermark.com

Busse-Taxi Werderitsch in St. Ruprecht an der Raab offers, if required, pick-up along the way with a taxi bus including a bicycle trailer , Tel. +43 3178 28200 oder +43 664 1453305

Pocket Card "Radwege in der Steiermark" Tel. +43 316 4003 www.steiermark.com

Folder "Weinland Steiermark Radtour" Steiermark Tourismus Tel. +43 316 4003 www.steiermark.com

Weinland Steiermark Radtour 1:50.000, Verlag Esterbauer - bikeline Tel. +43 2983 28982 www.esterbauer.com

Gallery

What the weather will be like

Graz (350m)

18.10.2025
slightly cloudy
5°C 15°C
19.10.2025
sunny
4°C 12°C
20.10.2025
slightly cloudy
3°C 13°C
In love, Hochsteiermark

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