Lowland - Valley I 809a

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 13,2 km

Time 1:30 h

Uphill 321 hm

Downhill 316 hm

Highest point 899 m

A challenging alternative route to the Niederung Loop 809, featuring a descent through the “valley” to Donawitz and unique views of the industrial and natural landscapes around St. Peter-Freienstein.

The Niederung-Tal 809a is designed as an alternative route to the Niederung-Runde 809 and is also suitable for active families in good physical condition. After the longer climb up to the Niederung, this variant leads down through the so-called “Valley” to Donawitz. The tour combines forest sections, rural settlements, and farmland with impressive views of Donawitz’s industrial landscape. Along the route, there are frequent views of Leoben, the Donawitz steelworks, the Liesing Valley, the Trofaiach Basin, and the surrounding mountains. The view of the blast furnaces and the sprawling facilities of the steelworks is particularly striking.

Best season

January

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More information

From the south – Graz:
Take the A9 Pyhrn Expressway toward Linz to the St. Michael interchange. Continue toward Leoben and take the B115 to St. Peter-Freienstein.

From the north – Liezen:
Take the A9 toward Graz to the Traboch exit. Continue on the B115 toward Trofaiach and St. Peter-Freienstein.

From the east – Vienna/Bruck an der Mur:
Take the S6 to Leoben, then take the B115 toward Trofaiach to St. Peter-Freienstein.

From the west – Judenburg/Murtal:
Take the S36 toward St. Michael, continue toward Leoben, and take the B115 to St. Peter-Freienstein.

The starting point is the St. Peter-Freienstein municipal office. After crossing the railroad tracks, the route follows the railroad line, passing Friedhofen Castle and the Freiensteinerhof. The trail then branches off to the left toward Traidersberg. The long, gradual climb first takes you across open terrain and later through the forest up to the Niederung. From the Niederung, Route 809a follows the alternative route through the so-called “Valley” downhill to Donawitz. During the descent, you’ll repeatedly catch glimpses of the voestalpine facilities, including the steel mill and the striking blast furnaces. From Donawitz, the route runs along the factory grounds via Neuwerk and the Schörglhof housing development back to St. Peter-Freienstein and to the starting point at the municipal office.

Current news about obstructions and closures of the route can be found online at www.eisenwadl.at/tested.

Service station along the route:

Gasthof Freiensteinerhof

The tour can be ridden on a mountain bike.

Tip: A basic equipment of tools and accessories such as spare tube and / or patch kit, wrench, air pump, brake and shift cable and a screwdriver can never hurt.

The long climb up to the lowlands requires a good level of basic fitness. The route is also suitable for active families who already have experience with longer climbs and gravel trails.

With the BusBahnBim app of the Verbundlinie, timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train and tram connections in Austria can be queried by entering locations and/or addresses, stops or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) - on Google Play and in the App Store

Tourismusverband Erzberg-Leoben

Homanngasse 12
8700 Leoben
+43 3842 48148
office@erzberg-leoben.at
www.erzberg-leoben.at

Eisenwadl.TESTED offers details and info about the tour online at www.eisenwadl.at