Hiking, climbing and running

Active explorations of Graz

If you like hiking, you will love Graz! For instance, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s parks and gardens and discover the city’s green spaces and picnic spots.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, we recommend one of the region’s natural highlights: Rettenbachklamm is the only gorge in the area between Platte und Kogelberg.

It’s also easy to aim higher in Graz. For instance, during a hike up Kehlberg to the west of Graz. From the top, you have splendid views of the city.

The highest mountain in the vicinity of Graz – and one of the most picturesque ones – is the Plabutsch, which is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and avid runners. The new viewing platform built here in 2024 invites you to enjoy the magnificent view over Graz. Styrian cuisine is served in the Fürstenstand mountain restaurant.

It only takes ten minutes to go from the city to the Region of Graz, which boasts plenty more exciting hiking opportunities.

© Graz Tourismus - Mias Photoart-28

Hiking in and around Graz

If you’re a hiking enthusiast, you can tackle all seven summits surrounding Graz, among them Schlossberg hill, Lustbühel and Schöckl.

Graz Tourism tip: Hiking makes you hungry! Freshly baked bread, fruit and vegetables are great hiking snacks – all of them available at the farmers’ markets of Graz.

Moving through the City

Hikes and walks in the Graz metropolitan area

Hiking in the city – an impossibility? Graz proves just the opposite. Numerous green spaces, parks, recreational areas and even mountains are located in the metropolitan area. The city of Graz has a very high proportion of green space.
Some of the green oases can be spotted instantly, others need to be discovered.
We have put together 10 tours on the green side of Graz for you: from a walk suitable for children to an ambitious hike. And the best thing is: you can throw yourself into this fun by just stepping out of your front door: Take a walk on the green side! Order your personal copy here or browse our tour portal online.

Download brochure: "Moving through the city"

All parks, gardens and recreation areas in and around Graz

Walking, hiking & running

© Graz Tourismus - Harry Schiffer

Running tracks in Graz

Through the city centre, near the water, along the river Mur or on a forest track through Leechwald – the Capital of Delight is a paradise for runners.
Run the city – the 15-kilometre inner-city running track takes you from Augarten park in a northerly direction along the left shore of the Mur. At Kepplerbrücke, take the stairs up to Schwimmschulkai and continue along Gustav Scherbaum Promenade towards Austeg. Cross the river there and head back to Lendkai/Keplerbrücke on the right shore of the river.
At Keplerbrücke, opposite Schlossberg hill, you can also access the Mur Cycle Path, which is popular with runners as well.

Tour overview
© Graz Tourismus - Mias Photoart

Running in the Leechwald

For a longer run, we recommend the half-marathon track through Leechwald with an altitude difference of 300 metres. The best starting point is at Hilmteich, which you can reach with tram line 1. For beginners, the 9.5-kilometer track, which partly runs along Mariatrost Cycle Path, is most suitable.

Hilmteich

Climbing in Graz

Tips for climbers

If you would like to combine your climbing session with a bit of cycling, we recommend stopping by at the climbing wall located at the Mur Cycle Path. Simply access Murpromenade at the Island in the Mur and follow the path to Erzherzog-Johann-Brücke, where you can find a public wall with climbing holds.

© CAC

Climbing fun

in and around Graz

The climbing parks at Leechwald near Hilmteich and at the foot of the Schöckl boast varied climbing courses in a scenic environment.
In case of bad weather, you can simply go climbing indoors at one of the many boulder halls for beginners and advanced climbers.

Climbing parks, high ropes courses & trampoline parks

FROM THE CITY TO COUNTRYSIDE IN 10 MINUTES

The Graz tourism region rightly presents itself as a hiker’s paradise. Hardly any other region offers such a variety of different types of landscape and attractive outdoor experiences in the immediate vicinity of an international provincial capital of culture and pleasure.

35 hiking tours from the Schöckl to the Graz mountains, the Gleinalm to the Packalpe and Stubalpe, and the Reinischkogel introduce you to the different areas. Family trails, hikes to summits and mountain huts, cosy wine taverns, trails along the water and tips for winter show the diverse range of offers in the Graz tourism region and provide an incentive for great excursions at any time of year!

Hiking in the Graz Region