© 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.

    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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    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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    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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    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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    Miravita Garten | © Verein Naturpark Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen
    • 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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    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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    Schmiede Noreia | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • Mühlen

    Historic Experience Forge in Noreia

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

    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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    Winter | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    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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    Barbaras Genuss & Bio Laden | © Barbara's Genuss & Bio Laden
    • 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 Rauchenwald | © Gasthof Rauchenwald
    • open today
    • Mühlen

    Guest house Rauchenwald

    Quaint and cozy family business with organic farming.
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    Restaurant zum Pölzl | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • 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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    Gruber Alm | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Gruber Alm

    Mrs. Erika Gruber is one of the gastronomic fixed stars in St. Lambrecht.
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    Außenansicht | © Tourismusverband Murau
    • open today
    • St. Lambrecht

    Wirtshaus Stifterl

    A Styrian inn - from the house to the wine to the food. That is the Stifterl in St. Lambrecht. Enjoy tasty dishes and...
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    Gasthof Pension Leitner | © Gasthof Pension Leitner
    • open today
    • 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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    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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    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