Cycling the Mur River Valley to Graz

Day 1: Arrival in St. Michael im Lungau
Day 2: St Michael - Murau, 35 mi. (55 km)
Day 3: Murau - Judenburg/surroundings, 43 mi. (65 km)
Day 4: Judenburg/surroundings - Bruck an der Mur/Oberaich, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 5: Bruck an der Mur/Oberaich - Graz, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Graz - Mureck, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 7: Mureck - Bad Radkersburg, 16 mi. (25 km)

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. 

Day 1: Arrival in St. Michael im Lungau
Arrival in St. Michael im Lungau, check in to your first hotel, and enjoy. You will have a welcome briefing and distribution of tour information and rental bicycles as pre-arranged. This meeting generally occurs at 6 pm at your first hotel. If you know you cannot make the welcome meeting, you can collect your tour documentation from the reception of your start hotel. Rental bikes, too, will be at your hotel. Advance notification is necessary.

The market town of St. Michael's on the upper Mura river used to be a miners' settlement originating in the 12th century. Lungau is the most remote district of the state of Salzburg.

Sample accommodations: Romantikhotel Wastlwirt
 
Day 2: St. Michael - Murau, 35 miles (55 km)
Passing first through Tamsweg, a historic market town with a Rathaus (old town) from 1570, and a Baroque parish church from about 1741, you will also find an interesting local museum exhibiting items from peasant life. You will spend the night in the old town of Murau, nestled amid extensive forests in the upper valley of the Mura River. Murau is nestled at the foot of the Stolzalpe mountain, which rises to over 5900'. Sights in Murau, other than the spectacular scenery surrounding you, include the 13th-century Murau Castle, the Gothic church, and the Leonhard Temple. Every year in July, the European Shakespeare Days take place here, where you can watch the performances in English.

Sample accommodations: Hotel Lercher
 
Day 3: Murau - Judenburg/surroundings, 43 miles (65 km)
Today, you will ride your bike through the straits of the Murvalley at the foot of the Lower Tauern Mountains. In Frojach, you will find the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum; in Frauenburg, the legendary ruins; and in Sauerbrunn, the oldest mineral water source in Styria. Many historic sites can also be seen in Judenburg: the city tower, the former sovereign’s castle, townhouses, and Magdalen Church.

Sample accommodations: Gastehaus Karl August
 
Day 4: Judenburg/surroundings - Bruck an der Mur/Oberaich, 37 miles (60 km)
On the fourth day, you will visit Marie Buch (pilgrimage church) and the Seckau Monastery (Benedictine abbey). In the old industrial towns, one can clearly see the well-preserved legacy of the past:  well-kept old towns, vibrant pedestrian zones, and interesting museums.  In Leoben, you can visit the Göss Monastery and the Gösser brewery. In Bruck an der Mur, you will find interesting sites such as the Schlossberghill, the Kornmesserhaus, and the city hall.

Sample accommodations: Hotel Landskron

Day 5: Bruck an der Mur/Oberaich - Graz, 37 miles (60 km)
Through the lush green that is Styria, your tour leads to Frohnleiten, a typical example of a medieval market that has grown into a roadside village. Then, passing ancient farm buildings surrounded by old fruit orchards, you cycle by the fortress of Rabenstein into the Tanneben pine forest. Austria's largest stalactite cave, Lurgrotte, is located here. Also, the Austrian Open Air Museum, Stuebing, is very interesting. It is among the 10 largest and most spectacular open-air museums in Europe. There are original, historic rural buildings from all over Austria. Stuebing gives an insight into the peasant culture of Austria in the past. You will spend the night in Graz, the second-largest city in Austria, overlooked by the prominent hill, the Schlossberg. Graz is known for its value on education as manifested by the six universities that are located here. The roots of Graz can be traced back to Roman times, when a small fort was built where the city center is today; Slovenians later built a larger fortress in the same place. You will want to visit the clock tower on the Schlossberg hill, also Castle Eggenberg, which is the oldest family-owned brewery in Austria. It dates back at least to the year 999 A.D. At this time, the beer was brewed only for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. Since 1681, the Castle Brewery Eggenberg has been brewing on a commercial basis. About 200 years ago, the ancestors of the present owner bought the castle. There are also several museums in Graz that are worth a visit. The Old Town of Graz was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999 due to the blend of typical buildings from different time periods and architectural styles.

Sample accommodations: Das Weitzer
 

Day 6: Graz - Mureck, 41 miles (65 km)
A highlight today will be the Seggau Castle, rising above Southern Styria's wine-growing area. It can be seen for miles around. Its history goes back to Roman times, and the lover of such will find satisfaction in the royal room with its perfectly preserved baroque furnishings, considered a true artistic treasure. The wine connoisseur will covet the 300-year-old wine cellar stocked with wooden barrels. The castle's vineyard was once episcopal, dating back to the Baroque period. Be sure to visit the unique river mill, the church, and the town hall. Or perhaps venture to neighboring Slovenia and the Obermureck castle.

Sample accommodations: Pension Steirerland

Day 7: Mureck - Bad Radkersburg, 16 miles (25 km)
On the short final stage, you will find water of all kinds: the Mur River will guide you, you can swim in Lake Röcksee, visit the mineral water spring of Peterquelle, and relax in the thermal waters of Bad Radkersburg (a historic old town with many different architectural styles!). At the end of the day,  you will leave your rental bike at the designated location, and either extend your stay or depart. You can take advantage of a return transfer by bus to St. Michael (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 2 pm, and every Sunday at 11 am) -  see pricing. Advance reservation is required.

If you are booking Category A accommodations,  admission to the thermal bath in Bad Radkersburg is included in the price, so booking an extra night is recommended.  Of course, in either category of accommodations, an extra night is enjoyable so that you can finish your cycling day and still have your evening in Bad Radkersburg.

Additional Options:

Trip to the Spring of the Mur River, approx. 35 mi. (55 km)
The route along the Mur River to the national park town of Muhr experiences minimal traffic. You’ll pedal through vibrant meadows to reach the Muritzen car park, where a transfer option is available (approx. €90 for up to 4 people, including bikes; €120 for 5–8 people, including bikes). From there, the journey continues uphill along a challenging route with gradients ranging from 1% to 19%, leading to the Stickler Alpine Hut. The final stretch requires a one-hour hike to the Mur River’s spring, situated at an altitude of 1,898 meters. Afterward, you’ll cycle downhill back to St. Michael. Transfers operate from late May onwards, weather permitting, and are subject to change based on conditions.

Extra night sample accommodations: Romantikhotel Wastlwirt
 

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You will be accommodated in 3 and 4-star hotels and guest houses. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. We strongly advise that you research the hotels listed and are satisfied with the accommodations. A hotel list can be provided at the time of your tour confirmation. Please request this. However, it is important to understand that at times, changes must be made, and your final hotel list may reflect this.

Bicycles

Standard touring bike

The standard touring rental bikes are 7-speed unisex or 21-speed. There are two types of frames available for the 21-speed bike, a men's frame or a unisex frame. These bikes also feature:

• Modern V-breaks
• Aluminum rims
• Aluminum frame
• Mudguards
• Selle Royal Comfort gel saddles (seat­post diameter is 27.2)
• 28-inch puncture-resistant tires

*You must specify at time of booking which bike you would like to reserve, 7 speed unisex or 21 speed unisex or men's frame.

Accessories

• Handlebar bag
• Rear pannier
• Combination lock (one per room)
• Repair kit (one per room)
• Pump (one per room)
• Odometer
• Bike helmets, UVEX i-vo, (for sale, advanced reservation, €40)

Plus bike

The Plus bike allows for a slightly sportier sitting posture, 27 gears offer the highest flexibility and a high-quality Suntour suspension fork provides the best possible comfort across all surfaces. All accessories are also available on Rental Bike Plus.

• Hydraulic Magura Brakes
• Shimano Deore XT gearings
• Aluminum rims
• Aluminum frame
• Pannier
• Mudguards
• Handlebar bag
• Bicycle repair kit with tools, a pump, a spare inner tube, and a combination lock
• Selle Royal Esenza (seat­post diameter is 27.2)
• 28-inch puncture-resistant tires

*Availability is limited. You must specify at the time of booking if you are requesting a Plus Bike

Accessories

• Handlebar bag
• Pear pannier
• Combination lock (one per room)
• Repair kit (one per room)
• Pump (one per room)
• Odometer
• Bike helmets (for sale, advanced reservation, €40)

Electric bike

These pedelec bikes have an electric motor fixed on the frame with a removable battery. A pedelec's motorised assistance only engages when the rider is pedaling and cuts out once 25 km/h is reached.

• 36 volt Bosch motor
• 500 wh battery
• Shimano 8 gear Nexus hub gears with backpedaling brake hub.
• The removable battery provides a ranch of 120 to 180 kilometers.
• Weight approximately 23 kg.

Accessories

• Handlebar bag
• Rear pannier
• Combination lock (one per room)
• Repair kit (one per room)
• Pump (one per room)
• Odometer
• Bike helmets, UVEX i-vo, (for sale, advanced reservation, €40)

*It is important to reserve your electric bike at time of booking.