"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

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

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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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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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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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

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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Mühlen

Historic Experience Forge in Noreia

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

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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Gragger Gorge and Cascade Waterfall

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

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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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

St. Lambrecht Benedictine Monastery

For more than 900 years, the Benedictine monastery of St. Lambrecht has shaped not only the local landscape of the...

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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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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

Dreiwiesenhütte

In the middle of the forest and lake region of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park lies the Dreiwiesen cabin at...

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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

Inn Torwirt

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

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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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Mühlen

Inn Krapinger

Our cozy inn is located in the middle of the nature park Zirbitzkogel - Grebenzen and invites you to stay!

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Mühlen

Guest house Rauchenwald

Quaint and cozy family business with organic farming.

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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

Steinschlosshütte

The Steinschloßhütte is located directly under the castle ruins that give it its name. Idyllically located, the hut...

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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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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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Neumarkt in der Steiermark

Buschenschank Zeischgl

Cozy cider tavern with a great view at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. Whether in the orchard, in the...

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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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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.