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Via Natura Stage 3: On the Ice Age Trail

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 10,0 km

Time 3:00 h

Uphill 141 hm

Downhill 346 hm

Highest point 1115 m

Feel the power of the past along the 3rd stage of the Via Natura – on the Ice Age path, where glaciers once created valleys and shaped the landscape.

Begin your hike in St. Blasen, where Ice Age glaciers sculpted the landscape with rolling hills, hollows, and striking elevations. Your path leads first to the Dürnberger Moor Natura 2000 protected area, formed by glacial deposits and now inviting you to marvel and pause with its mysterious atmosphere and rare flora. Beyond the moor, an impressive view of the majestic Seetal Alps unfolds – a panorama that makes the hike particularly rewarding. The hike concludes at the natural gem, the Furtner Teich, also a product of Ice Age landscape shaping, whose tranquil waters and gentle banks invite you to take a break and observe nature. Behind this unique wetland habitat lies a small moorland area, which can be explored on a short circular walk. Experience a diverse, Ice Age-influenced landscape full of history, beauty, and impressive natural moments.

Best season

January

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More information

By car from Germany
From Munich, take the A8 towards Salzburg. From Salzburg, take the A10 Tauern Autobahn to St. Michael im Lungau. Take the B 96 to Tamsweg, then continue on the B 95 to Predlitz. The B 97 leads via Stadl/Mur to Murau. At the roundabout, head towards St. Lambrecht until you reach Murau train station, then continue towards St. Lambrecht. Via Laßnitz near Murau, to St. Lambrecht and on to St. Blasen - Thajagraben. Turn left there and drive to the church/the Kirchmoar inn.

Arriving from eastern Austria/Hungary
At the motorway junction in St. Michael near Leoben, take the S 36 towards Klagenfurt. Pass Knittelfeld and Judenburg to Scheifling. In Scheifling, continue towards Klagenfurt to Neumarkt, via Unzmarkt and Perchau am Sattel to Neumarkt. Turn right there towards Murau, and in Mariahof, turn left after the railroad crossing towards St. Lambrecht. In St. Blasen - Thajagraben, turn right and drive to the church/the Kirchmoar inn.

Arriving from southern Austria/Italy
Via Klagenfurt on the S 37, pass St. Veit/Glan, Treibach, and Friesach. In Friesach, continue towards Vienna, via Dürnstein and Wildbad to Neumarkt. After the town center, turn left towards Murau. In Mariahof, turn left after the railroad crossing towards St. Lambrecht. In St. Blasen – Thajagraben, turn right and drive to the church/the Kirchmoar inn.

The tour starts at the Kirchmoar Inn in St. Blasen. After a few meters on the paved road, you reach the "Moar im Bach" farmstead. Continue along meadows and fields to the forest, where the St. Blasen Fitness Trail begins and leads through the woods to the Nazn farmstead. Then, walk through the Kreuztal valley, continue towards the old elementary school, and descend into the Thajagraben ravine, where the trail crosses the Thajabach stream and the St. Lambrecht state road. The tour then leads past farmsteads to the Dürnberger Moor Natura 2000 protected area. From there, a forest path leads to the Mostschenke (cider tavern). Follow the paved road from Oberdorf to Vockenberg, where you'll find wonderful views of the Zirbitzkogel mountain, Mariahof, and the natural gem of the Furtner Teich pond, which can also be reached via paved roads.

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 spaces are available at the Gasthof Kirchmoar.

A public restroom is located at Furtner Teich. These are free of charge and accessible at all times.

Accommodations in Mariahof: