© 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
    © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm

    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.

    NaturLesePark - Skulpturen | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Graggerschlucht | © Tourismusverband Murau | René Hochegger | © Tourismusverband Murau
    St. Lambrecht von oben | © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm | © Holzwelt Murau
    St. Lambrecht von oben | © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm | © Holzwelt Murau
    Kirche von Mariahof | © Tourismusverband Murau | René Hochegger | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Steinschloss | © Tourismusverband Murau | marygoodfoto | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Gipfelsieg | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tom Lamm | © Tourismusverband Murau
    via natura etappe 8: arbeiten im einklang mit der natur_img_18276253 | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Burgruine Dürnstein | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    Burgruine Dürnstein | © Tourismusverband Murau | Tourismusverband Murau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    © 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.

    29 results
    Kapelle am Mühlsteinboden | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Chapel Mühlsteinboden

    According to legend, the Mühlsteinboden was a witches' mountain. Bad storms are said to have showered it with their...
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    Weg zum Pöllauer Ursprung | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Natural spring Pöllau

    The waterproof rock in the interior of the mountain "Grebenzen" reveals the origin spring of Pöllau.
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    • 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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    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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    Hochofen Pöllau | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Blast furnace Pöllau

    As far back as 1430, the Benedictine monastery of St. Lambrecht was granted imperial rights to dig for ore on its own...
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    Innenhof | © Steiermark Tourismus
    • open today
    • 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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    Wandermärchen Räuber | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Hicking fairy tale Hans in Luck

    Join "Hans in luck" on his adventurous journey and learn what he has gone through at seven stops. A beautiful hiking...
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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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    Keltendorf am Badesee | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • 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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    Ursprungsquelle | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Natural spring 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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    Schneewittchen | © Gasthof Seeblick
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Nature Park Fairytale Puzzle Forest

    Fun and games for children and the young at heart. In the middle of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, the family...
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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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    29 results

    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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    Auf der Terrasse | © Camping am Badesee
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Campinggasthaus am Badesee

    Welcome to the cozy camping inn with sun terrace directly at the Mühlner Badesee. Here, a lot revolves around the...
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    Panorama 2 | © Gasthof Pöllauerhof
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn Pöllauerhof

    "Gastronomy with tradition for over 600 years" The traditional inn with organic farming is located at 1142m above sea...
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    Tonnerhütte 1 | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • Mühlen

    Tonnerhütte

    Culinary and communicative center in the alpine village "AlmDorf Tonnerhütte" at 1.600m above sea level. Best...
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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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    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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    Restaurant - Bistro Golfblick | © Restaurant - Bistro Golfblick
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Restaurant Golfblick

    Enjoyment with a golf course view! The team at the Restaurant Golfblick cordially invites you to spend enjoyable and...
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    GH Fischerwirt | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Inn Fischerwirt

    Inn with a direct location between the two "Graslupp" ponds. Homemade cuisine with fish dishes as a recommendation. And...
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    Jerá am Furtnerteich | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Bertl's Genuss Kuchl KG

    Located directly on the banks of the Furtnerteich lake, the restaurant offers Italian specialties and Italian wines...
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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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    Jausenstation Straussenhof Wallner | © Jausenstation Straussenhof Wallner
    • St. Lambrecht

    Jausenstation Straussenhof Wallner

    The snack station in St. Blasen offers delicious delicacies - among others from our own farm! Taste delicacies around...
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    Gasthof Kirchmoar | © Gasthof Kirchmoar
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Inn Kirchmoar

    The Kirchmoar Inn is run by the fourth generation of the family. They also run an organic farm, from which products...
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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.

    © Holzwelt Murau | Tom Lamm

    Summer in the Murau region