Stage 6 Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail: Gratkorn – Stübing

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 14,4 km

Time 4:15 h

Uphill 400 hm

Downhill 370 hm

Highest point 662 m

From Gratkorn along the Dultgraben to the gentle hills of the Graz Uplands. With the Lourdes Chapel, the Rannach Alpine Garden and the Höchwirt.

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

The sixth stage begins in Gratkorn (approx. 400 m), a market town with an industrial tradition. The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail first follows quiet side roads through the built up area before entering the Dultgraben valley.

In the Dultgraben stands the convent of the Sisters of Mercy. In front of it, the Lourdes Chapel features a detailed depiction of the apparition of Lourdes. From here, the route climbs gently through wooded terrain.

At the Rannach Alpine Garden, a varied section unfolds with alpine plants, a pond and an inn. The trail then passes small settlements, meadows and open fields towards the traditional Höchwirt inn.

After another stretch on quiet roads, the Faibl Chapel near Jasen marks a further cultural point. The stage finally descends towards Friesach and Stübing into the wide Mur valley floor.

Best season

January

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More information

The stage begins at Judendorf-Straßengel railway station (374 m). The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail first leads through the built up area towards the River Mur, which is crossed via a pedestrian bridge. The route then continues through the south eastern part of Gratkorn and passes under the motorway.

In the Dultgraben valley, the convent in der Dult (408 m) with the Lourdes Chapel is reached. Following the Dultbach stream, the trail runs through woodland and alongside agricultural fields.

The ascent continues towards the Rannach Alpine Garden and the small settlement of Rannach. From here, pleasant views open up before the route follows quiet roads to the traditional Höchwirt inn. A shortcut option is available here.

Via Jasen (552 m) with the Faibl Chapel, the trail descends to Friesach (411 m). Upon reaching the Mur valley floor, the final section follows the wide valley plain to Stübing railway station (400 m), marking the end of the Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail.

Stage Overview:

Start: Judendorf-Straßengel railway station (flux GU1014)
3.2 km Convent in der Dult (flux GU6050 Hartboden Kloster Dult)
5.9 km Rannach Alpine Garden (flux GU1643 Rannach bei Stattegg Gh Alpengarten)
8.6 km Höchwirt inn (flux GU6044 Freßnitz GH Höchwirt)
9.6 km Jasen (flux GU6045 Jasen Kapelle)
12.4 km Friesach (flux GU6041 Friesach bei Peggau Gh Weingrill)
Finish: 14.4 km Stübing railway station (flux GU1104)

Shortcut
After 9.6 km, the flux stop Jasen – Kapelle (GU6045) offers the option to shorten the stage.

Point of Interest
The Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing provides insight into traditional rural architecture and everyday life.

Train
S1 railway line between Graz and Bruck an der Mur with stops at Judendorf-Straßengel and Stübing railway stations.
Further information on train and bus connections at www.oebb.at and www.verbundlinie.at

Shared taxi flux
Further information at www.flux.at

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