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Via Natura Stage 4: Forest & Health

Name: Via Natura Stage 4: Forest & Health
Brand: Steiermark
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 18,1 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 519 hm

Downhill 554 hm

Highest point 1306 m

Recharge your batteries on the 4th stage of the Via Natura trail, from the Furtner Teich to Neumarkt. Experience the health-promoting effects of the forest firsthand. The scent of moss and fir trees, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of leaves will relieve stress, clear your mind, and give energy to body and soul.

The hike begins at the Furtner Teich Natura 2000 protected area, whose tranquil waters offer the first moment of relaxation. Following the historic path to the Steinschloss castle ruin, you'll be rewarded with fresh air and expansive panoramic views across the nature park, invigorating both mind and senses. On the way to Neumarkt in Styria, you'll traverse the Pichlschloss Forest, a peaceful woodland teeming with diversity: the rustling of leaves, the scent of moss and fir trees, and the chirping of birds have an immediate effect on body and soul, releasing stress and restoring energy. Step by step, hikers can experience the health-promoting effects of the forest – a stage that impressively combines exercise, nature, and mindfulness.

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 and continue towards St. Lambrecht. Via Laßnitz near Murau, head to St. Lambrecht, which is already located in the nature park, and continue to Mariahof. Cross the railroad crossing and you will see the fortified church on your left. Turn right towards Furtner Teich.

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 in Styria. In Neumarkt, turn right towards Mariahof. After about 2 km, turn left towards Furtner Teich.

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 Mariahof, and after about 2 km, turn left towards Furtner Teich.

From protected area the Furtner Teich, the trail leads past the Galgen (gallows) towards the Mariahof fortified church. From Mariahof, the path leads towards Adendorf. Following the Bernhard Peinhaupt Memorial Trail, a beautiful forest path leads to the Steinschlosshütte (Steinschloss Hut). The highest castle ruin in Styria (Steinschloss Castle Ruins) offers breathtaking views of the Mur Valley and the nature park. Continuing along the path, turn northeast onto the hiking trail towards Kreuzeck. Following the hiking trail towards Steinberg, you cross a pasture. From Steinberg, a forest road leads to Berg. Following the road, you reach the Pichlschloss forest via Diemersdorf. From there, follow the paved road towards Neumarkt. After crossing the B 317, a path leads to the Green Classroom. Here you rejoin a paved road, which leads to the Nature Reading Park, the end point of the 4th stage.

In "Berg" near Mariahof is the "Moarhube". It is not only the only regional tree nursery, but also a retreat and educational center.

With the BusBahmBim app from the composite 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 directly at the Furtner Teich pond.

Accommodation directly in Neumarkt:

Neumarkterhof Guesthouse | Tel. +43 3584 2287

1 km from the Neumarkt Nature Reading Park, you'll find the Mareinerhof | Tel. +43 6642503018