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Via Natura Stage 2: Nature as a source of inspiration

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 16,0 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 739 hm

Downhill 682 hm

Highest point 1560 m

Stage 2 from St. Lambrecht to St. Blasen - From musical moments to quiet contemplation on the Via Natura.

From sound to silence – nature and spirituality on the second stage of the Via Natura. The hike begins with the festive ringing of the church bells at St. Lambrecht Abbey and continues to Karchau, whose diverse meadows with colorful flowers and lush greenery invite you to linger. Passing through Mühlsteinboden, a historic pilgrimage site full of peace and spiritual power, the trail finally leads to St. Blasen. Accompanied by birdsong and the gentle interplay of sound and silence, this stage offers a respite for body, mind, and soul.

Best season

January

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More information

By car from Germany
From Munich via the A8 towards Salzburg. From Salzburg on the A10 Tauernautobahn to St. Michael im Lungau. On the B 96 to Tamsweg, then on the B 95 to Predlitz. The B 97 leads via Stadl/Mur to Murau. There at the roundabout towards St. Lambrecht to Murauer train station and further towards St. Lambrecht. You reach St. Lambrecht via Laßnitz near Murau. The monastery is located in the town center.

Arrival from Eastern Austria/Hungary
At the motorway junction in St. Michael near Leoben, take the S 36 towards Klagenfurt. Past Knittelfeld and Judenburg to Scheifling. In Scheifling continue towards Klagenfurt to Neumarkt, via Unzmarkt and Perchau am Sattel you reach Neumarkt. Turn right there towards Mariahof and St. Lambrecht. In Mariahof, after the railway crossing, turn left towards St. Lambrecht. The monastery is located in the center of St. Lambrecht.

Arrival from southern Austria/Italy
Via Klagenfurt on the S 37 past St. Veit/Glan, Treibach and Friesach. In Friesach continue towards Vienna, via Dürnstein and Wildbad to Neumarkt. After the town center of Neumarkt turn left towards Murau, in Mariahof turn left after the railway crossing towards St. Lambrecht. The monastery is located in the center of St. Lambrecht.

Via Natura Stage 2 leads from St. Lambrecht via Spitalberg and Karchau to St. Blasen. The stage starts at the main square in St. Lambrecht and leads behind the abbey towards Spitalberg.

Tip: A detour into the gorge is worthwhile – this natural monument can be explored via steps and bridges. The 200-meter-long path leads to a meadow with a viewpoint. The return journey follows the same route.

Afterwards, the route continues along the asphalt road to Spitalberg, from where a meadow and forest path leads towards Seebauerteich. From there, the road leads through the forest to Karchau. From the Alpengasthof Moser, a hiking trail leads to Mühlsteinboden. Benches invite you to rest and enjoy the view. From there, the "Shared Trail Mühlsteinboden" leads down to St. Blasen village and the Gasthof Kirchmoar.
Tip: Here you'll find a private bog, home to unique plants like the carnivorous sundew. The bog has been lovingly revitalized for several years. If you're interested, please contact the owner of the Kirchmoar Inn. The bog itself is not open to the public!

Should the weather not be kind to you, the stage from St. Lambrecht via Heiligenstadt and the Wallner ostrich farm to St. Blasen can be shortened.

With the BusBahnBim app from the interconnected line, timetable information is easier than ever before: all bus, train and tram connections in Austria can be queried by entering locations and/or addresses, stops or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) - on Google Play and in the App Store.

ÖBB www.oebb.at | Styria connection line www.busbahnbim.at

Public parking is available at both entrances to St. Lambrecht, coming from Murau and St. Blasen: by the market pond and opposite the abbey garden.

Public restrooms are located near the market pond, St. Lambrecht Abbey, and in the abbey garden. These are free of charge and accessible at any time.

Accommodations directly in St. Blasen, at the end point: