The region is not only known for its great race track, but also for its rich history and impressive alpine landscape. Picturesque mountain villages and majestic peaks, valleys, forests, rivers and lakes characterize the surrounding area of the Mur Valley. From gently sloping alpine valleys to rugged peaks rising up to 2,700 meters above sea level, the Mur Valley offers a variety of attractions that justify a longer stay. Cyclists are attracted by the idyllic cycle path along the Mur, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Austria. For motorcyclists, on the other hand, the countless winding mountain roads through impressive landscapes offer a true paradise. Further information can be found below.
1. TREMMELBERG
The Tremmelberg is a wooded mountain ridge 1194 m high, just a few kilometers from the race track. It is home to the imposing "Turm im Gebirge", consisting of two 42 m high wooden towers that can be climbed via 202 steps. From the top, there is a breathtaking view of the Mur Valley and the surrounding mountain landscape with the peaks of the Seckauer Tauern and the Seetal Alps. The architecture of the towers is based on the twin towers of the Benedictine abbey in nearby Seckau. In the immediate area of the tower is a clearing where the Calvary Church was built in the first third of the 18th century. The church impresses with its Way of the Cross and the numerous wayside shrines, which further enrich the surroundings of the Tremmelberg.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremmelberg
[9,2 KM]
2. GAAL - KÜHBREIN-HOF
Enjoyment and culinary highlights are as inextricably linked in the Murtal as a lid on a pot. Numerous unique specialties that only exist in this region invite you to try them and are sure to delight you: Murtaler Steirerkäse, Seckauer Lebkuchen, Murtaler, pumpkin seed oil, Thalheimer beers and juices as well as the rare Swiss stone pine schnapps. Cider is currently experiencing a renaissance; once known as a farmer's drink, it is now enjoying increasing popularity thanks to the latest cellar and processing techniques. The Kühbrein farm is located at 900 meters above sea level, just a few kilometers from the Red Bull Ring. Although these are not the typical conditions for fruit growing, a special cider is produced here. The organic farm has always had a special fondness for cider, and cider sommelier David Kargl proves that excellent cider and cider can also be made from orchard fruit.
[9,4 KM]
3. SECKAU BENEDICTINE ABBEY
The Benedictine Abbey in Seckau, which was founded in 1143, is not only a fascinating and spiritual destination that breathes history, but also a place that creates an inspiring atmosphere. Explore this impressive monastery complex, nestled in the idyllic Styrian countryside, and immerse yourself in the "world of the monks". A tour through the old walls of the basilica allows you to discover the rich history and monastic life. The impressive monastery church houses the Habsburg mausoleum in the left front aisle, under which the mortal remains of Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria (1540-1590) and eight other members of the Habsburg family can be found in a crypt. The cloisters and historic rooms tell of a time when faith, art and knowledge were inextricably linked. The Chapel of Mercy is home to the oldest Austrian image of mercy, which dates back to around 1200. The basilica impresses not only with its architecture and history, but also with its six-part chimes, the oldest bell of which, called St. James, dates from around 1260. Monasteries have always been places not only of the spirit, but also of the "drinkable". In the cellar of the west wing of Seckau Abbey, high-quality brandies are produced - single-variety distillates, partly from the fruits of the monastery garden, as well as liqueurs made from exquisite ingredients. Convince yourself of the high quality of this "spirit" on a guided tour followed by a tasting.
[11,8 KM]
4. STAR TOWER JUDENBURG
Climb 256 steps to reach the highest planetarium in the world, 76 meters up in the 500-year-old tower in Judenburg. It is important to emphasize that a planetarium should not be mixed up with an observatory - it is not a place from which you can observe the starry sky through a telescope. On the contrary: in a planetarium, the starry sky is created artificially! Discover the wonders of the universe with the latest technology in the planetarium. The shows start with a high-resolution movie projected into the dome, followed by a live explanation of stars, constellations and much more. The heart of the planetarium is the ZKP 4 from Zeiss, which is complemented by several video projectors. This futuristic-looking device can be used to project a starry sky as it looked many thousands of years ago or will look many thousands of years from now. A dome with a diameter of 8.53 meters hangs above the ZKP, allowing you to easily immerse yourself in the shows. There are 13,294,600 small holes in this dome, which, if lined up, would be 18 kilometers long.
[14,6 KM]
5. EPPENSTEIN CASTLE RUINS
Eppenstein Castle, a medieval ruin, rises on the opposite side of the Mur Valley. The hilltop castle towers directly above the village of Eppenstein on a steep rocky spur at an altitude of around 736 m above sea level. In the Middle Ages, an important north-south trade route ran through the narrow Granitzental valley below the castle, over the Obdacher Sattel. The first documented mention of Eppenstein Castle dates back to 1160, when it was owned by the noble Traungau family. Over the course of history, the castle changed hands several times, mostly as a result of treachery due to its almost impregnable location. The castle has not been inhabited since the early 17th century and gradually fell into the state it is in today. The castle is easily accessible via a well-maintained path.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Eppenstein
[16,0 KM]
6. GÖSS BREWERY
A visit to the source of Austria's most famous beer will not only delight beer enthusiasts: the Gösser Brewery Museum provides interesting facts about beer, brewing and Gösser in particular. Beer is still brewed today at the brewery with over a thousand years of history - with passion, enjoyment and high quality standards. There are also guided tours of the brewery, where visitors can learn about the history of brewing and taste different types of beer.
[34,1 KM]
7. LEOBEN
Leoben is a charming town in Styria. It is located on the River Mur and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The city has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages and skillfully combines tradition with modernity. The cityscape of Leoben is characterized by a mixture of historical architecture and modern buildings. The main square, also known as the "Main Square of Upper Styria", is the vibrant center of the city. Here you will find lovingly restored buildings, cafés, restaurants and stores that invite you to stroll and linger. Leoben is also known for its educational institutions, in particular the Montanuniversität Leoben, which is a leading technical university in Austria.
[35,7 KM]
8. ERZBERGBAHN
The Erzbergbahn is a historic narrow-gauge railroad that runs from Vordernberg over the impressive Erzberg to Hieflau. It was built in the late 19th century to enable the transportation of iron ore from the mines on the Erzberg. The Erzbergbahn is a remarkable engineering masterpiece, as it had to cope with challenging gradients and tight curves. A ride on this railroad not only offers a picturesque view, but also provides an insight into the fascinating railroad history of this region.
[43,2 KM]
9. ANIMAL ADVENTURE PARK MAUTERN
Visitors can experience a variety of animals up close at the animal adventure park in Mautern. In addition to native species such as deer, wild boar, mouflons, lynx, bears and birds, there are also more exotic inhabitants such as zebras, kangaroos, alpacas and llamas. There are special activities for children such as pony rides and a petting zoo where they can interact with animals such as goats and rabbits.
[44,9 KM]
10. BLAST FURNACE MUSEUM RADWERK IV
The Radwerk IV Blast Furnace Museum in Vordernberg is an interesting destination for those interested in history and industry, as it is the only charcoal blast furnace in the world that has been preserved in its entirety and offers a very good insight into iron smelting and the region's industrial past. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the original blast furnaces, production halls and other industrial facilities. There are informative exhibitions, models and interactive presentations that illustrate the working conditions and the production process.
[45,4 KM]
11. GRÜBLSEE
Grüblsee is an idyllic mountain lake surrounded by a breathtaking natural landscape. The lake is surrounded by green forests and majestic mountains and offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for visitors, inviting them to hike, picnic and relax. Visitors can also enjoy an excellent snack at the Alpenaquarium Grüblsee snack station and diving school. For those who want to experience the underwater world in the clear mountain lake water, diving courses are also offered at various levels.
[52,8 KM]
12. CYCLING - HIKING
The Mur Cycle Path through Styria is one of the most variety-packed river cycle paths in the Alps. Due to its gentle gradient and numerous culinary destinations, it is considered a pleasure path. He starts in the Hohe Tauern National Park and stretches an impressive 475 kilometers along the Mur, from Graz to the border triangle of Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. One of the most attractive stages is in the Mur Valley, in the inner Alpine region - the Aichfeld - home of the world-famous Red Bull Ring. The Aichfeld is framed by the lower Tauern mountains with the Seckauer Zinken (2,397 m) on one side and the Zirbitzkogel (2,396 m) on the other. This region is perfect for fantastic hikes and mountain tours.
13. ADVENTURE ERZBERG
Explore Europe's most modern open-cast mine closely. The incredible silhouette above ground, the exciting adventure tour into the underground mine and an adventure ride in the world's largest cab, the 1,217 hp Hauly. The Erzberg is the largest open-cast mine in Central Europe, the most important ore deposit in the Alps, a symbol of industrialization and a central part of the Iron Road. Rock has been mined at the Styrian Erzberg for more than 1300 years. The hard work of many men and women brought it to its present form from 1890. Today, a total of 12 million tons of rock are produced annually in the multi-level open-cast mine using state-of-the-art technology. The Erzberg Adventure offers visitors from all over the world an authentic ore experience. Abenteuer Erzberg combines history with the present, allows visitors to experience the open-cast mine at first hand, gives an insight into the miners' everyday work and shows a glimpse into the future.
[60,5 KM]
14. TRAGÖSS - GREEN LAKE
The green lake, a natural jewel in the idyllic Tragöß region, is a karst lake that was formed by a landslide. In prehistoric times, a mountain mass slid from the Meßnerin towards Tragöß, forming the lake. The water is cold, with maximum temperatures of 5 to 6 °C, and the water level varies greatly depending on the season. The Green Lake is characterized by its striking blue-green color. This is due to the fact that pure water absorbs red light and appears blue-greenish in thick layers. In addition, finely crushed rock floating in the water reflects the blue-green components of the light. The surrounding mountains deflect the winds and create a sheltered environment, which means that the lake has hardly any waves and the mountains are reflected in the water to the right and left.
[60,6 KM]
15. STÜBING OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Embedded in the diversity of nature, historical buildings from all over Austria invite you to gain an authentic insight into the lives of our forefathers. 103 objects can be found on the museum grounds, including houses, stables, mills, alpine huts and much more. They show the domestic landscapes of the past 6 centuries from all over Austria and South Tyrol. The oldest building is a granary, the "treasure chest" of the farmers, and dates back to 1452.
www.museum-joanneum.at/freilichtmuseum
[62,2 KM]
16. LEOPOLDSTEINERSEE
Lake Leopoldstein is a picturesque mountain lake not far from Schloss Leopoldstein, a historic castle complex perched on a rocky outcrop near Eisenerz. Nestled in an impressive natural landscape with steep mountains and dense forests, it is known for its crystal-clear, turquoise water, which is fed by the surrounding mountains. The lake has a maximum depth of around 28 meters and offers visitors the opportunity to swim, dive and go boating. There is also a small sandy beach for sunbathing and relaxing.
[64,6 KM]
17-18. LURGROTTE - CLAMM
Austria's largest stalactite cave, the Lurgrotte, is located near Peggau. A bizarre cave world with fascinating sinter formations, stalactites, imposing rock domes and underground gorges awaits you there. The light and sound experience in the Great Dome is particularly impressive. With a length of 120 meters, a width of 80 meters and a height of 40 meters, it is one of the ten largest cave domes in the world. Just a few kilometers away, near Mixnitz, the Bärenschützklamm gorge offers another impressive natural spectacle. The Bärenschützklamm is one of the most beautiful water-bearing gorges in Austria. A hike between untamed waterfalls and rugged rocks is an impressive experience. Here the unspeakable strength of nature, whose constant dripping hollows the stone, becomes tangible. The 200-300 meter thick limestone walls in the gorge bear witness to a geological past that stretches back 400 million years.
[71,2 KM]
19. PROVINCIAL CAPITAL GRAZ
Walk through the streets, be inspired by discoveries, find small design stores, visit unusual cafés and use a sculpture park as an impressive photo stage. To get an initial overview of the city of Graz, we recommend the Schlossberg, a popular vantage point for Graz residents. You can climb 260 steps or take the Schlossbergbahn cable car from the old town up to this panoramic hill. Up there, the clock tower, the city's landmark, watches over this beautiful city. But there is also plenty to discover at the foot of the Schlossberg. On a tour, you should not only look at the facades of the beautiful houses or the roofs of the old town from above, but also explore the hidden courtyards. Not far from the old town, the Mur Island floats like a half-opened shell in the middle of the Mur River. Two footbridges connect it to the banks. Wave-shaped benches and a café invite you to linger for a moment.
[75,5 KM]
20. KUNSTHAUS GRAZ
It fell like a huge drop in the middle of the city in 2003, when Graz was the European Capital of Culture. It became a modern landmark and shines with its biomorphic exterior as well as the inner values of its exhibitions. "The Friendly Alien", as the Kunsthaus Graz is affectionately known, is linked to the traditional "Iron House". This was built in 1848 and was one of the first cast-iron buildings in continental Europe - a department store with large, inviting shop windows. Having undergone many alterations over the years, it was restored to its original state when the Kunsthaus was built. The spectacular architecture of the Kunsthaus Graz leaves no one indifferent. It is not often that the juxtaposition of traditional urban structure and breathtakingly young architecture is so perfectly achieved as in the realization of this museum for contemporary art in Graz. The Kunsthaus floats like a mysterious blue bubble between the rooftops of the old town.
https://www.museum-joanneum.at/kunsthaus-graz
[76,1 KM]
21. ADMONT ABBEY
Admont Abbey, located on the edge of the Gesäuse National Park, is an impressive monastery complex with breathtaking baroque architecture. It was founded in the 11th century and is the oldest active Benedictine monastery in Styria. The monastery's library is world-famous and houses over 200,000 books, making it the largest monastery library in the world. The magnificent library hall with its opulent ceiling frescoes is a real highlight. Admont Abbey is also home to the Benedictine Abbey Museum, which exhibits an extensive collection of sacred art and religious artifacts.
[87,7 KM]
22. NATURE PARK GESÄUSE
The Gesäuse National Park is the oldest national park in Austria and offers 110 square kilometers of breathtaking mountain scenery with steep gorges, wild rivers and untouched forests. Visitors can enjoy hiking, climbing, rafting and other outdoor activities here. The flora and fauna in the Gesäuse National Park is diverse and unique. There are rare plant species, such as the gentian, and a wide variety of animal species, including golden eagles, chamois, deer and marmots.
[99,7 KM]
23. THE STYRIAN TUSCANY
The slender poplars in southern Styria, which stand along the rolling hills, are reminiscent of their Italian counterparts. The wine terraces stretch like a soft carpet across the graceful landscape of southern Styria. The glasses clink, the wine flows. My gaze wanders longingly over the horizon. In the distance rises the Klapotetz, a characteristic windmill of the region, which is said to scare the birds away with its rattling. A region could not be more idyllic. Gamlitz, Ehrenhausen, Leutschach and Kitzeck are among the best-known communities in Austria's highest wine-growing region, which stretches 564 meters above sea level. This region is not only known for its wines, but also for its exuberant festivals and traditional wine taverns at the highest level.
[115 KM]