Mountain hike across “four thousanders”

Starting at Rein Abbey, follow the Sonnseit’nweg trail 31 on the right-hand side towards the Plesch hill. Ascending gently, continue on the sunny side of the mountain slope almost to the source of the Kehrerbach stream, then continue up to the Kehr, where the Sonnseit’nweg path ends. When you reach the asphalt road, turn right and walk uphill to the Lippbauerkreuz cross. Continue on trail no. 562. Be careful on this stretch, as the mountain bike trail runs along this section of the hiking trail! Go steeply uphill through the forest until you reach the Pleschwirt inn. Fully refreshed, head east, past the car park in the direction of Mühlbacherkogel on trail no. 562, then past St George’s chapel and below the Heiggerkreuz cross to the idyllically situated Mühlbacher hut. You need to make a reservation to spend the night there.

Continue along trail no. 562 and descend the steep Kaschlsteig (hiking sticks are definitely a help here!). At the bottom you’ll reach an asphalt road with a GUSTmobil minivan stop. Thirsty or hungry hikers may want to make a short detour (a few hundred metres) northwards to the Mostschänke Movia tavern. Alternatively, turn right and hike along trail no. 11 in the direction of Enzenbach hospital. From there, take the 11a trail across the car park of the Schusterbauer inn. At the Forstbauer chapel continue slightly right uphill, then left towards Rein. Once you’ve passed the cemetery on the left, you’re a stone’s throw from the last two well-deserved inns, Zur Linde and Stiftstaverne (abbey tavern).

Hiking paths in OberGraz are generally easy to negotiate. Nevertheless, you should choose hiking routes that correspond to your level of fitness and surefootedness. Dogs must be kept on a leash! Don’t forget to check the opening hours of inns, restaurants or huts you’re planning to go to!

Please take particular care on those parts of this hike which are also part of the mountain bike trail.

Wear sturdy footwear, pack first-aid set, drinking bottle, provisions, sun, rain and cold protection into your rucksack – and off you go!

From Kasselsteig and Enzenbach you can continue on the GUW 562 hiking trail to Kleinstübing (where there is a train connection) or take the GUSTmobil minivan.

Hikers can easily arrive without a car by using bus or train services. The frequent S1 trains between Graz and Bruck/Mur make reaching OberGraz easy. (Gratwein–Gratkorn railway station)

The regional bus no. 110 bus goes to Rein.

More information on train and bus connections: www.verbundlinie.at and www.oebb.at

Refreshment points: Stiftstaverne (abbey tavern in Rein) and Zur Linde inn (at the start and end of this hike), Pleschwirt inn, Mostschänke Movia tavern, and Mühlbacher hut (from 1 Mai till 26 October with a reservation).