© 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.

    Klamm mit Steg | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    St. Lambrecht Gorge

    Designated a natural monument, the gorge in St. Lambrecht is only a few minutes away from the monastery. The path leads...
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    Außenansicht | © Schloss Lind
    • 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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    Miravita Garten | © Verein Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • 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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    Kirchenansicht | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Pilgrimage church Maria Schönanger

    Maria Schönanger is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church in the nature park Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen. The church can be...
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    Aussicht | © Holzwelt Murau
    • 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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    Peterskirche | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    Verweilplatz | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • 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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    Ortstafel | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Celtic 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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    Schloss mit Aussicht | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    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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    Schmiede Noreia | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • Mühlen

    Historic Experience Forge in Noreia

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

    Restaurant zum Pölzl | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Restaurant zum Pölzl

    The right dish for every taste! The focus is on selecting high-quality, fresh ingredients from local producers. The...
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    Außenanlage | © Gasthaus Mareinerwirt
    • 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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    Gasthaus Gössler | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • Mühlen

    Inn Gössler

    GUESTGOUSE GÖSSLER - Eat well, sleep well, enjoy and experience nature! The inn in the nature park Zirbitzkogel -...
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    GH Rauchenwald | © Gasthof Rauchenwald
    • Mühlen

    Guest house Rauchenwald

    Quaint and cozy family business with organic farming.
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    Schutzhaus | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • 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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    Marktcafe Pristovnik | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Marktcafe Pristovnik

    In the heart of St. Lambrecht with a view of the Benedictine monastery, they look forward to welcoming you!
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    Barbaras Genuss & Bio Laden | © Barbara's Genuss & Bio Laden
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Barbara's Genuss & Bio Laden

    Barbara's Genuss und Bio Laden is located directly in St. Lambrecht and offers a wide variety of local products as well...
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    Schönangerhütte | © Schönangerhütte
    • 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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    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Seppwirt Stüberl

    Nice snuggery at the gas station - Here you can have drinks and small snacks already in the morning to enjoy on site...
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    Grebenzenhaus | © Almgasthof Grebenzenhaus
    • St. Lambrecht

    Almgasthof Grebenzenhaus

    Eat well, live well on the Grebenzen. Dine with pleasure and immerse yourself in the dreamlike mountain world - at the...
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    Außenansicht Knappenwirt | © Gasthof Knappenwirt
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn Knappenwirt

    In the idyllic setting of the Murau region, the Knappenwirt in Mariahof, which has been awarded the "Kulinarium...
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    Dreiwiesenhütte | © Dreiwiesenhütte
    • St. Lambrecht

    Dreiwiesenhütte

    Located in the forest and lake region of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, the Dreiwiesenhütte, awarded with 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.

    Summer in the Murau region