The clock tower watches us as we leave Graz today. We follow the Mur Cycle Path along the left bank of the Mur – only at Schönaugürtel do we cross the Mur and switch to the right bank. We continue southwards. At the next railway bridge, we can choose which side of the river to take to Kalsdorf, although the right bank of the Mur is always chosen. But first, we recommend a detour to the Johann Puch Museum!
On the right bank towards Kalsdorf, our preferred route, we now cycle south past Graz-Thalerhof Airport with the Schwarzl Leisure Centre behind it – a venue for many festivals, with an amusement park, a campsite, space for those seeking peace and quiet, and plenty of restaurants. On the main route, we now continue on to Wildon. Initially through a beautiful riparian forest, we are soon surrounded by gentle fields and meadows in open, unspoilt countryside. Soon we arrive in Kalsdorf, where the left bank route via Fernitz joins us.
Via Werndorf, we reach Wildon with its Hengist Culture Park. Our route continues between the railway and the Mur River to Lebring an der Mur with its beautiful Murstätten Castle. From Lebring, the cycle path runs close to the Mur River again. Soon we reach Gralla, where we turn right, cross the A9 Phyrnautobahn motorway and cycle to Leibnitz, our destination for the day. After about 5 km, the centre of Leibnitz with its beautiful main square lies ahead of us.
At the beginning of our tour, we made a resolution: we would not simply cycle along the Mur Cycle Path. We would conquer it; we wanted to discover the most beautiful aspects of Styria by bike. And here in Leibnitz, it's almost a must to first visit Seggau Castle, whose history dates back to the Romans and whose 300-year-old wine cellar is a real treat for the palate and the eyes, before we set off, refreshed, to see the Sulm Valley. And we'll soon realise that our trip could easily be extended by a day.
Passing Sulmteich, the route continues to Kitzeck, the highest wine village in Europe. A series of rustic, cosy wine taverns offering excellent Styrian products and the finest wines await those of us who have mastered the challenging climb over the last few kilometres. The 360-degree panoramic view from Kitzeck is literally breathtaking. Here, this term can be used with a clear conscience. A sunset with a view over the Sulm Valley will remain in your memory forever. Perhaps one or two of you will prefer to stay here overnight after a good glass of wine before we set off on our last stage in Austria, full of energy and positive thoughts.
To the 7th stage of the Mur Cycle Path
To the complete overview of the Mur Cycle Path