Stage 11 From Glacier to Wine South Route Murau - St. Lambrecht

Accessible by public transport

Train (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)
Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 16,3 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 827 hm

Downhill 607 hm

Highest point 1619 m

This stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine leads from the historic town of Murau into the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, where the impressive Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht awaits at the end of the day.The route initially follows quiet roads for some distance, but hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of Murau and the Stolzalpe. From the farmstead known as Grillschmied, the character of the hike changes as pleasant, shady forest trails take over, leading through the nature park towards St. Lambrecht.

Tourism in this region is shaped by its unspoilt natural landscapes, the historic town of Murau, and its rich cultural heritage. Murau was granted town privileges as early as 1298, and anyone who spent the previous evening strolling through its streets and enjoying its culinary specialities – including the famous Murau beer – may find it difficult to leave.

However, with St. Lambrecht as today's destination, another fascinating day awaits. This historic market town is home to one of the region's true cultural treasures: the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht.

The abbey was founded before 1076, while the imposing Baroque monastery complex that dominates the townscape dates largely from the 17th century. Despite its significance, the monastery remains relatively remote from Austria's major urban centres, much like Mariazell, which was founded in 1157 as a daughter foundation of St. Lambrecht Abbey.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Detailed information on how to get to Murau can be found here.

Today's stage of the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine follows sections of the Styrian Circular Hiking Trail, the Hemma Pilgrimage Trail from Admont to Gurk, and Regional Trail No. 11.

We leave Murau by crossing the Mur via the town bridge and heading south towards the railway station. Before reaching the station, we cross the railway tracks and follow a small road to the left. Behind the Murau Beer Logistics Centre, we rejoin the road towards Laßnitzbach. Following the road to the right, we continue on Local Hiking Trail No. 11.

At the next fork, we keep right and follow the farm access road past the farmsteads Joslbauer and Döller to the farmstead known as Grillschmied. Here, the route continues along the Styrian Circular Hiking Trail, which follows the same direction.

Shortly after passing a spring, we reach a large gently sloping meadow with a prominent hunting stand on the right-hand side. Here it is important not to follow the visible track downhill. Instead, keep half-left towards the barbed-wire fence at the edge of the forest. Approximately opposite the hunting stand, a crossing point over the fence marks the continuation of the trail.

Further on, the route descends through a varied landscape of woodland paths, forest tracks, and old sunken lanes. As there are several less obvious junctions along the way, careful attention to the trail markings is recommended until reaching St. Lambrecht.

After crossing the Kühbach via the Hohe Brücke ("High Bridge"), the route climbs gently for a short distance before turning right. Passing a magnificent old lime tree, the trail then descends to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht, the cultural heart of the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park.

The following stage continues through the nature park towards Neumarkt.

Accessible by train and bus: detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Store

There are numerous parking spaces available on the outskirts of Murau near the train station.

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com

Kompass WK222 Sölktäler, Rottenmanner Tauern, Ennstal, Murau, Naturpark Grebenzen www.kompass.at

Freytag & Berndt WK211 Naturpark Zirbitzkogel ·Grebenzen · Murau · Sölkpass www.freytagberndt.at