© 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.

    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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    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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    Burg Dürnstein - Burgansicht | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Castle Dürnstein

    On the border between Styria and Carinthia, the ruins of Dürnstein castle, built in the 11th century by Duke Henry III...
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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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    • open today
    • 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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    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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    Bauernmuseum Eingang | © TVB Murau
    • Mühlen

    Farmers' Museum

    The museum of Farming in Mühlen is a world of adventure for young and old alike. The farming way of life, work and...
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    Ortstafel | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    • 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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    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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    Ofen in Zeutschach | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Lime kiln Zeutschach

    Burnt lime was once used as a construction material and, due to its high pH value, as a classic disinfectant. With...
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    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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    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.  

    Gh Ritzinger | © Kirchenwirt Gasthaus Ritzinger
    • open today
    • 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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    Logo | © Café Claudia
    • open today
    • Neumarkt in der Steiermark

    Café Claudia

    Werner’s cafe bar is located right on the main square in Neumarkt and is an ideal meeting point for young and old.
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    Steinschlosshütte neben der Burgruine | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    Auszeit Hotel | © Auszeit-Hotel St. Lambrecht
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Auszeit Hotel St. Lambrecht

    Here you will find ideal vacation offers in the middle of the Murau region. Relaxing and active time with the whole...
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    Hausgemachte Strudel | © Mostschenke 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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    Buschenschank Zeischgl | © Buschenschank Zeischgl
    • 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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    Hirschenwirt Außenansicht | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    Winter | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    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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    Außenansicht Knappenwirt | © Gasthof Knappenwirt
    • 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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    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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    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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    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