Stenzengreith: Themed Trail, Raab Gorge and Culture

Stenzengreith combines nature experiences with impressive traces of history. A themed trail leads through forests, pastures and orchards, while Raab Gorge is a special hiking destination in the municipality of Gutenberg, to which Stenzengreith belongs. Other highlights include Gutenberg Castle, the Loreto Chapel and regional products. When planning a trip, you can choose between active days in the countryside, discoveries of cultural history and quieter impressions of rural life here.

Hiking through Forests, Pastures and Water

The Stenzengreith themed trail offers several specific starting points for planning your day. At the beginning of the trail near the Kreuzwirt in Stenzengreith, a large panoramic information board explains the details. Near the Kreuzwirt, the trail also offers a panoramic view over the Weiz area. The themed trail runs along the Kleinsemmering stream and leads through forests, pastures and orchards. After the Bockhof, it reaches a small waterfall and continues to the village chapel in Breitenfeld.

The trail was newly adapted and extended in 2017. This makes it possible to view the hike as a holiday idea in its own right: You can combine landscapes, water and regional orientation without focusing the entire day exclusively on a single excursion destination. This combination is helpful for families with different interests, as it brings nature observation, exercise and small discoveries together in a shared plan. The trail sections and stations mentioned offer different thematic points of reference, without requiring you to plan your trip around a specific duration for the day.

Raab Gorge and Historical Impressions

In the municipality of Gutenberg, to which Stenzengreith belongs, Raab Gorge is more than 10 kilometres long and offers visitors a hiking experience. The Great Raab Gorge has been a nature reserve since 1970 and an EU Natura 2000 protected area since 2006 under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. This history of protection is just as much a part of the character of the landscape as the opportunity to plan Raab Gorge as the focus of a day in nature.

The area's past can also be discovered through striking buildings and traces in the landscape. Gutenberg Castle was built from 1184 onwards on a rock jutting into the Raab Gorge ravine. From 1567 onwards, it was extensively remodelled in the Renaissance style under Hans von Stubenberg. The Loreto Chapel stands to the west, above Gutenberg Castle, and is connected to the castle by an avenue. It was built from 1691 onwards by Sigmund von Stubenberg as a sign of Catholicism. Until 70 years ago, numerous water-powered stone mills clattered in the Mühlgraben—a historical indication of the former use of hydropower.

The Right Accommodation for Your Trip Idea

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Stenzengreith, your preferred plans for the day can be a useful starting point for orientation. Those who want to focus on trails, forests and water can include the Stenzengreith themed trail and Raab Gorge in their plans. Those with a stronger interest in architectural history can add Gutenberg Castle and the Loreto Chapel. This creates a clear picture even before booking of which experiences should shape the holiday. You can then choose the specific location of your accommodation based on these personal plans, without limiting the destination to just one type of holiday.

The regional character also includes products from the surrounding area. The Schöckl farm shop of the Sauseng and Schiegl families is located at 8061 Stenzengreith. A vending machine at the valley station of the Schöckl cable car in St. Radegund offers pasta, eggs, liqueurs, juices and honey. Such places may be of interest when planning your trip if, in addition to nature and culture, you would also like to get to know regional products.

Other Places for Orientation

If you would like to compare other places besides Stenzengreith, you will find a compact overview here: Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Grosspesendorf, Aschau, Fladnitz An Der Teichalpe, Rettenegg, Nitscha, Strallegg and Passail.

For the higher-level travel overview: Weiz.