Stage 4 Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail: Stübing – Gratwein

Accessible by public transport

Train (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 18,8 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 730 hm

Downhill 740 hm

Highest point 1050 m

From Kleinstübing via the Mühlbacher Hut and Stift Rein to Gratwein. Forest paths, cultural highlights and refreshing breaks along the way.

With the support of the Austrian Federal Government, the State of Styria and the European Union (LEADER).

Stage 4 of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail starts in Kleinstübing. The village is closely linked to the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing, one of the largest central open air museums in Europe. More than 100 historic rural buildings illustrate traditional ways of life and work. The museum is best visited as a separate trip and is not part of this stage.

From Kleinstübing, the route follows mostly natural paths through wooded sections, small valleys and gently rolling ridges. The ascent to the Mühlbacher Hut follows the Kaschlsteig and passes scenic spots such as the Apfelstein, which offers a good place to rest. At the top, the Mühlbacher Hut is a convenient place to stop for refreshments.

Further on, shaded forest paths alternate with more open sections. Shortly before Rein, the Reiner barefoot trail provides a refreshing break. The route then reaches Stift Rein, one of the most important historic monasteries in Styria.

The final kilometres lead partly along quiet side roads and partly through forest paths to Gratwein. To finish the stage, the Weihermühle swimming lake offers a refreshing way to unwind after the hike.

Best season

January

February

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More information

The stage starts at Stübing railway station. After the first metres through the village, the route follows the Stübingbach steadily into the valley. The climb begins early and continues at an even pace through forest and open terrain. A quiet side road leads to the Kaschlsteig, a varied section with changing surfaces, short steeper climbs and scenic spots such as the Apfelstein that help maintain a steady rhythm.

From around 950 metres in altitude, the terrain becomes gentler before reaching the Mühlbacher Hut. Those looking to add extra elevation can include a short detour via an unmarked path to the Mühlbacher Kogel. The descent first crosses open slopes with wide views, then continues quickly through the Mühlbacher Graben back towards the valley.

Before reaching Rein, the Reiner barefoot trail offers a refreshing break, followed by the arrival at Stift Rein, a key cultural highlight of the stage. The route then continues through open cultural landscape and quiet sections, climbing gently towards the Kalvarienberg church with views over Gratwein.

The final section follows asphalt roads past Weihermühle to the finish at Gratwein-Gratkorn railway station.

Stage Overview

Start: Stübing railway station
4.1 km Kaschlsteig
7.5 km Mühlbacher Hut
7.8 km Mühlbacher Kogel 1050 m
13.7 km Reiner barefoot trail
14.9 km Stift Rein bus stop shortcut possible
17.2 km Kalvarienberg church
17.5 km Weihermühle swimming lake
Finish: 18.8 km Gratwein Gratkorn railway station

Shortcut
After 14.9 km, the hike can be ended early in Rein at the Stift Rein bus stop.

Points of interest
The Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing provides an extensive insight into traditional rural architecture and everyday life and is well worth a separate visit.

By train:
S1 railway line between Graz and Bruck an der Mur.
Further information on train and bus services at www.verbundlinie.at and www.oebb.at

Shared taxi flux
Further information at www.flux.at

Parking available at trainstations Kleinstübing and Gratwein-Gratkorn

Free hiking map and information:

Graz Region Tourist Board
Herrengasse 16, 8010 Graz
T +43 316 80750
info@regiongraz.at

Graz Region Information Office Frohnleiten
Hauptplatz 31, 8130 Frohnleiten
T +43 3126 2374