Without borders: between the Schaftal and Stiftingtal valleys

You start this tour from the Graz Region Tourist Information at Herrengasse 16 and take tram line 1 from Hauptplatz towards Mariatrost. At the end of the line, you can already see the “Mariatrost Basilica”, which you can reach in a few minutes by taking the 216 steps or the footpath next to the road. The “Mariatrost pilgrimage church” is the most important shrine to the Virgin Mary in Styria after Mariazell. The asphalted path (hiking trail 80) leads from the basilica past the Gottscheer memorial slightly uphill to Roseggerweg. The former German-speaking population of the Gottschee Country in the Duchy of Carniola (today: Slovenia) are called Gottscheers. At the “Roseggerweg” road sign follow the signpost towards “Gasthaus Griesbauer”. Hiking trail 769 leads you slightly uphill past numerous apple trees, fields and meadows, and sometimes through the forest. Leave Roseggerweg and turn into Schaftalbergweg at the heart-shaped bench there. After a few minutes you reach a weather tower built of wood. The path meanders leisurely along and offers a great view of the Schöckl, Graz’s local mountain, and the village of St. Radegund again and again. At the fork with Reindlwaldweg turn right and follow this slightly downhill into the forest again until you see the signpost to “Gasthaus Griesbauer”. Turn sharp right here, from here the road leads steeply downhill. Follow the path, which leads directly to the inn, where you can linger under the shady chestnut trees. There is an adjacent playground for children. After “Gasthaus Griesbauer”, follow the main road, which leads you straight to Stiftingtalstraße after a few minutes, and stay on this. At the “Schmied König” stop, turn left into Rohrbachhöhe and you will reach “Heurigenschenke Sattler”. From there you have a beautiful view of the Stiftingtal valley and the surrounding hilly landscape. Bus route 82 and tram line 7 will take you back to the city centre.

Basilica Mariatrost, Gottscheer memorial, weather tower Schaftalberg - its bell was rung when there was danger from weather or fire.

Getting there: Tram line 1 from Hauptplatz to the end of the line

Getting back: Bus route 82 towards St. Leonhard, tram line 7 towards Wetzelsdorf

Essen & Trinken

• Kirchenwirt Graz (im Umbau bis Frühjahr 2023)
• Gasthaus Griesbauer
• Heurigenschenke Sattler

Sehen & Erleben

• Basilika Mariatrost
• Gottscheer Gedenkstätte
• Wetterturm Schaftalberg