Hiking in the Grazer Bergland
Between alpine pastures, summits and cultural sites
The Grazer Bergland in the Graz Region combines panoramic summits, alpine pastures and cultural destinations north of Graz. The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail leads through the area in six stages, linking distinctive peaks, broad ridges and important cultural sites. Around Frohnleiten, Peggau, Übelbach, Gratwein-Straßengel and Gratkorn, trails lead up into the mountains, across alpine pastures and through varied forest landscapes.
What makes the area special is the close connection between nature and culture. Hiking tours can be combined with visits to Rein Abbey, Maria Straßengel or the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing. Many of these landscapes and cultural sites are located directly along the hiking trails, shaping the distinctive character of the Grazer Bergland.
Grazer Bergland at a glance
- Hiking area north of Graz
- Highest peak: Speikkogel, 1,988 m
- Hiking trails around Frohnleiten, Peggau, Übelbach, Gratkorn and Gratwein-Straßengel
- Alpine pasture landscapes of the Gleinalm
- Rein Abbey, Maria Straßengel and the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing
- Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail with six stages
- Hiking connections to the Lipizzanerheimat and the Hügel- und Schöcklland region
Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail
Multi-day hiking in the Grazer Bergland
The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail connects the varied landscapes of the Grazer Bergland in the Graz Region across six stages. The route leads through alpine pastures, along panoramic ridges and to cultural sights such as Rein Abbey and Maria Straßengel.
With good connections by train, bus and the flux shared taxi, the trail can be planned flexibly. It can be walked as a sporty multi-day tour or as individual day hikes.
Frohnleiten, Peggau, Übelbach, Gleinalm
Around Frohnleiten, Übelbach and the Gleinalm lies the highest hiking landscape in the Graz Region. Wide alpine pastures, panoramic ridges and some of the region’s most distinctive peaks shape the area. Trails lead up to the Speikkogel and across the rounded summits of Eiblkogel, Lärchkogel and Roßbachkogel.
Around Frohnleiten, mountain hikes with far-reaching views lead to peaks such as Gschwendt, Haneggkogel and Kreuzkogel. Circular walks and themed trails in Frohnleiten and Übelbach add further variety, along with hiking connections from Peggau towards Semriach. Stages 1 to 3 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail run through this part of the region.
- Speikkogel, 1,988 m, the highest peak in the Graz Region
- Extensive alpine pastures and panoramic high-altitude trails
- Summit hikes to Gschwendt, Haneggkogel, Lärchkogel and Kreuzkogel
- Starting points in Frohnleiten, Übelbach and at Krautwasch
- Circular walks and themed trails for different levels
- Stages 1 to 3 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail
- Gentle circular walks as well as demanding mountain tours
Gratwein-Straßengel and Gratkorn
Around Gratwein-Straßengel and Gratkorn, hiking trails lead up to wooded hills, scenic viewpoints and through varied cultural landscapes north of Graz. The close proximity to the city and easy accessibility make this area a popular destination for relaxed day hikes.
The best-known destinations include the Generalkogel and the Rannach. Circular trails combine nature experiences with wide views across the Grazer Becken and the surrounding ridges. Stages 4 to 6 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail pass through this part of the region and connect the hiking areas.
- Hikes to Generalkogel and Rannach
- Circular trails close to the city
- Views across the Grazer Becken
- Rannach Alpine Garden
- Varied cultural landscapes
- Stages 4 to 6 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail
- Easily accessible from Graz
Around Rein Abbey
The world’s oldest Cistercian monastery is the starting point for numerous hikes in the Grazer Bergland. Around Rein Abbey, trails lead to scenic hilltops, through forests and to distinctive viewpoints north of Graz.
Among the best-known tours are the Four Thousanders Circuit, hikes to the Plesch and Mühlbacherkogel, and trails via the Kaschlsteig. Stage 4 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail leads past the Mühlbacherhütte and connects Rein Abbey with the ridges around Gratwein-Straßengel. The Rein themed trails combine nature, culture and regional history.
- Vier-Tausender-Runde
- Plesch, Mühlbacherkogel and Kaschlsteig
- Rein themed trails and family-friendly tours
- Mühlbacherhütte on Stage 4 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail
- Hiking between nature and culture
- Varied circular tours close to the city
Cultural sites along the hiking trails
The Grazer Bergland in the Graz Region combines scenic hikes with important cultural sites and excursion destinations. Key cultural places along the hiking trails include Rein Abbey, the pilgrimage church of Maria Straßengel, the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing and the town of Frohnleiten with its distinctive silhouette on the River Mur.
Many of these places are located directly on the hiking trails or just a few steps away, making them easy to combine with a tour through the Grazer Bergland.
Huts and mountain inns in the Grazer Bergland
After a hike, alpine huts, mountain inns and excursion restaurants invite visitors to enjoy regional specialities and scenic breaks.
FAQ: Hiking in the Grazer Bergland
Popular hiking destinations include the Gleinalm with the Speikkogel, the hiking areas around Peggau and Frohnleiten, and the trails around Rein Abbey and Maria Straßengel.
Yes. The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail connects the main landscapes and cultural sites of the Grazer Bergland across six stages and is suitable for multi-day hikes.
The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail connects the varied landscapes of the Grazer Bergland in the Graz Region across six stages. The route leads from Peggau to Frohnleiten and continues via Übelbach, Stübing, Rein and Gratwein-Straßengel to Gratkorn. It links panoramic summits, alpine pastures, cultural sites and historic paths.
Many hikes lead to important excursion destinations such as Rein Abbey, the pilgrimage church of Maria Straßengel or the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing. This makes it easy to combine nature and culture in the Grazer Bergland.
Tour suggestions are available in the tour portal of the Graz Region. Hiking folders, the Digital Hiking Badge and guided hikes are also available for planning.
The Grazer Bergland lies just a few kilometres north of Graz and is well suited for day trips. Popular options include hikes on the Gleinalm, circular trails near Frohnleiten and tours around Rein Abbey and Maria Straßengel.
Many starting points in the Grazer Bergland are easy to reach by public transport. Train stations in Frohnleiten, Peggau, Übelbach, Gratwein-Straßengel and Gratkorn offer good connections from Graz. Regional bus lines and the flux shared taxi also connect numerous hiking destinations with the public transport network.
Yes. Trail 750 through Badlgraben near Peggau is open and accessible again after an extended closure. The route has been repaired and fitted with new cables and steps.
