© 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.

    Miravita Garten
    • 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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    Weg zum Pöllauer Ursprung | © Gerda Kasparec
    • open today
    • 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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    Eingangsbereich
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Natechnikum

    The former Vivarium became the Natechnikum! An exhibition under the motto "House of Diversity", a "technical...
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    Ursprungsquelle | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Ursprungsquelle Zeutschach

    Between 90 and 120 liters per second of pure, oxygen-rich drinking water bubbles out of the ground here. The excellent...
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    Kirchenansicht | © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Wallfahrtskirche Maria Schönanger

    Maria Schönanger is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church in the nature park Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen. The church can be...
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    Peterskirche
    • 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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    Schaubienenstock_2
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    NaturLese-Museum Neumarkt

    Discover the fascinating world of nature at the reading nature museum in Neumarkt. In our interactive hands-on museum,...
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    NaturLese- und Generationenpark | © Holzwelt Murau
    • open today
    • 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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    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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    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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    Burgruine und Hütte | © marygoodfoto.com
    • 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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    Park Schloss Lind
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Landscape Park Schloss Lind

    The freely accessible landscaped park at Lind Castle with its Other Local History Museum in Neumarkt is the first port...
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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.  

    Buschenschank Zeischgl | © Ferdinand Wölfl
    • 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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    Hausgemachte Strudel | © Moorstüberl
    • open today
    • 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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    Cafe Central | © Julia Schwarz
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Café Central

    Classic Viennese coffee house in the heart of Neumarkt.
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    Winter | © Gasthof Steiner
    • open today
    • 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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    Marktcafe Pristovnik | © Marktcafe Pristovnik
    • 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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    Zecki's Hütte | © Zecki's Hütte
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Zecki's hut and ZeckiLand

    Ideal family excursion destination for everyone!
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    Jausenstation Russkeusche | © Jausenstation Russkeusche
    • open today
    • 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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    Gasthof Torwirt | © Johann Leitner
    • 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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    Steinschlosshütte neben der Burgruine | © Alexander Trienitz
    • open today
    • 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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    Gasthof zur Linde | © Tom Lamm
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn zur Linde

    The "***Hotel Gasthof zur Linde" - located in the middle of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen nature park in neumarkt in...
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    Hirschenwirt | © Gasthaus Hirschenwirt
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Inn Hirschenwirt

    BEING A GUEST MEANS BEING WELCOMEIn their family business in Mühlen in Styria, which has been awarded the title "Gute...
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    Außenansicht Knappenwirt | © Gasthof Knappenwirt
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn Knappenwirt

    In the idyllic setting of the "Murtal", modern cuisine meets styrian plain fare at the Knappenwirt in Mariahof. There...
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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