Stage 6 Via Natura: Between Alpine Pastures & Moor

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 22,0 km

Time 9:00 h

Uphill 823 hm

Downhill 1460 hm

Highest point 2396 m

The 6th stage of the Via Natura shows the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen nature park from its gentle side – a landscape full of life, colors and contrasts.

Between blooming alpine meadows and tranquil moors, the full diversity of the Zirbitzkogel Natura 2000 protected area and the Hörfeldmoor RAMSAR protected area unfolds. On the alpine pastures, rare mountain flowers, buzzing insects, and grazing animals shape a centuries-old cultural landscape. In the moors, by contrast, an almost mystical silence reigns – a habitat for rare plant species, dragonflies, and birds that find refuge here.

This stage invites you to immerse yourself in a fascinating natural world where every step holds new discoveries – from fragrant alpine meadows to the mysterious moorlands.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

By car from Germany
From Munich, take the A8 towards Salzburg. From Salzburg, take the A10 Tauern Autobahn to St. Michael im Lungau. Take the B 96 to Tamsweg, then continue on the B 95 to Predlitz. The B 97 leads via Stadl/Mur to Murau. At the roundabout, head towards St. Lambrecht until you reach Murau train station and continue towards St. Lambrecht. Drive via Laßnitz near Murau to St. Lambrecht and continue to Mariahof. Turn right, cross the railroad crossing, and continue to Neumarkt in Styria. After Neumarkt in der Steiermark, turn left and drive to Mühlen. Drive through the center of Mühlen and continue along the road to Tonnerhütte.

Arriving from eastern Austria/Hungary
At the motorway junction in St. Michael bei Leoben, take the S 36 towards Klagenfurt. Pass Knittelfeld and Judenburg to Scheifling. In Scheifling, continue over the Perchauer Sattel towards Klagenfurt. After Neumarkt in der Steiermark, turn left and drive to Mühlen. Drive through the center of Mühlen and continue along the road to the Tonnerhütte.

Arriving from southern Austria/Italy
Via Klagenfurt on the S 37, pass St. Veit/Glan, Treibach, and Friesach. In Friesach, continue towards Vienna via Dürnstein and Wildbad Einöd. Before Neumarkt in der Steiermark, turn right towards Mühlen. Drive through the center of Mühlen and continue along the road to Tonnerhütte.

From the Tonnerhütte, you have the option of hiking to the Zirbitzkogel or continuing directly to Mühlen. Following the signs, you'll reach the Herter Höhe via the forest road. Here, you'll be above the treeline and can enjoy views stretching as far as the Julian Alps. A panoramic platform invites you to linger. From here, the path leads steadily uphill to the ridge of the Seetal Alps. The highest point is the Zirbitzkogel, offering a magnificent panorama. The trail then leads back to the Herter Höhe and across the ski slope back to the Tonnerhütte alpine village. Here, the Swiss stone pine forest gives way to a spruce forest, and the path leads past old, abandoned farmhouses to Noreia. At the foot of the Seetal Alps lies a special natural gem, the Hörfeld Moor. This biodiverse moor is a fascinating wetland habitat in every season. From the moor, you can reach the village center of Mühlen via the paved road.

With the BusBahnBim app from the interconnected line, timetable information is easier than ever before: 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.

ÖBB www.oebb.at | Styria connection line www.busbahnbim.at

Parking is available in Mühlen. Paid parking is available at the Tonnerhütte.

Accomodation directly at the end of stage: