Municipality of Gratwein: Culture, Cycling Routes and Nature Experiences

The Municipality of Gratwein combines historical discoveries with a variety of paths through the landscape. In the town centre, several hundred-year-old town houses shape the appearance; at the same time, cycling and hiking routes lead through Gratwein-Straßengel and the surrounding area. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house as a base can therefore tailor their stay to their own interests: culture, longer cycling tours, walks, pilgrimage routes or a day by the water can be combined into different travel plans.

Historical Places and Special Details

A prominent cultural landmark is the parish church of St. Rupert in Gratwein. It is considered an important example of a Late Gothic hall church with a partly Romanesque core. The listed church complex is located in the cadastral municipality of Gratwein. In addition, the parish church dedicated to St. Rupert is part of one of the oldest original parishes in Styria. This provides an ideal destination for a tour of the town, where architectural history and the region’s past come together directly.

There are also distinctive sights to discover outside the church complex. The so-called Roman Bridge in Gratwein is a protected monument. In the Gratwein district, you can also admire Othmar Krenn’s art train. The town centre, with its old town houses, is one of the excursion destinations and complements the historical stops with a local impression that is not limited to a single building. Rein Abbey in Gratwein-Straßengel has also existed continuously as a Cistercian monastery since 1129.

Cycling Routes for Different Day Plans

Gratwein-Straßengel lies directly on the Mur Cycle Path. This route runs from the source of the Mur in Lungau to Bad Radkersburg, thereby offering an extensive route perspective. The Liebochtal Cycle Path R56 also passes through Gratwein and ends at the Mur Cycle Path R2. The Styrian Wine Country Cycle Tour also passes through Gratwein on its way to Graz. Depending on your preferred focus, you can therefore include the Liebochtal Cycle Path R56, which passes through Gratwein, or one of the aforementioned long-distance routes in your plans.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can take into account whether your travel plan includes a route through Gratwein or a long-distance cycling tour.

Forest Paths, Hikes and Pilgrimage Routes

Shady forest paths in Gratwein-Straßengel pass, among other things, eight impressive natural tree monuments. The “Hörgas, Bäckerseppl and Gsoller” walking and hiking route complements this landscape experience with another opportunity to explore the surroundings on foot. For families with different preferences, it may be useful to alternate active and quieter days rather than organising the entire stay around just one type of experience.

The Grazer Bergland Hiking Trail connects Gratwein-Straßengel, as part of the region, with Frohnleiten, Übelbach, Deutschfeistritz, Peggau and Gratkorn, as well as their cultural and natural attractions. Stage 5 of this hiking trail leads from Gratwein to Judendorf-Straßengel. Another special route idea is the “From Rein Abbey to the Styrian Steffl” pilgrimage route, which passes through the area surrounding Gratwein; along the way, you pass an elaborate Stations of the Cross.

Water and the Town Landscape

For a stay with an additional focus on excursions by the water, Gratwein-Straßengel has Bad Weihermühle bathing lake, with a water surface of 15,000 m². Together with the forest paths, historical town sights and cycling connections, this creates a versatile framework for planning your trip. You can choose accommodation in the Municipality of Gratwein according to your preferred daily rhythm: more culture-oriented, focused on cycling and hiking routes, or with time for an excursion to a bathing lake.

Discover More Places in the Surrounding Area

If you would like to expand your search to neighbouring destinations, here are some other places for orientation: Taschen, Raaba, Laßnitzhöhe, Gratkorn, Dobl, Graz, Sankt Peter and Deutschfeistritz.

To the higher-level travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.