Muhr: The Source of the Mur, Mountain Lakes and Local Traditions

Muhr is the only municipality in the Lungau region that is partly located within Hohe Tauern National Park. If you are looking for a hotel in Muhr, you can plan your trip around a range of interests: the Alpine landscape and its lakes, named walking routes, or Lungau traditions. The landscape, routes and dates offer an initial guide to which aspects of the area you would like to focus on during your stay.

Lakes and Alpine landscape

Karwassersee lies at the head of the Muritzenbach valley. It is around 500 by 150 metres in size and up to about six metres deep. Its location, dimensions and maximum depth are three specific features of the lake. Oberer and Unterer Schwarzsee lie to the west above it: they occupy two high cirques, one above the other, and are set against a backdrop of rugged rock faces. The Karwassersee is notable for its location at the head of the valley and its dimensions, while the Schwarzsee lakes are distinguished by their tiered position and rocky setting. These different features help you tell the three lakes apart in the landscape.

Hiking and the source of the Mur

In Muhr, well-maintained hiking trails lead to alpine pastures, mountain lakes and impressive natural landmarks. One named themed trail is “Back to the (M)URSPRUNG.” It starts at the Muritzen car park, passes through the striking landscape of the Mur Valley and ends at the source of the Mur. The source of the Mur lies at the head of the Hinterer Murwinkel valley, at an altitude of 1,898 metres. The Muritzen car park marks the starting point, while the altitude given refers to the source of the Mur, the destination. This distinction helps you keep the start and end points clear when planning. Check seasonal access conditions before your trip.

The official starting point of the Mur Cycle Path is at the Sticklerhütte, at an altitude of around 1,750 metres in Hohe Tauern National Park. From the Sticklerhütte, the source of the Mur can be reached on foot in around an hour; this section is not suitable for cycling. The estimate of around an hour refers to the walk from the Sticklerhütte to the source, not to the entire Mur Cycle Path. Route infrastructure may change; check the route before setting out.

The Hinteres Murtal / Muritzental valley is car-free. This describes the character of the valley as a whole and is a separate point of reference alongside the location of individual destinations and descriptions of specific route sections.

Lungau traditions

Every year on 29 June, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, Muhr hosts the Prangstangen procession and the Samson procession; both are highlights of Lungau traditions. During the Samson procession, a figure of the Old Testament giant Samson, about five metres tall, is carried through Muhr. For travellers who would like to include this traditional event in their plans, 29 June provides a clear date. Unlike descriptions of the landscape and walking routes, this date offers a fixed day on the calendar to plan your trip around.

Discover more destinations: Lessach, Sankt Margarethen Im Lungau, Weißpriach, Katschberg, Göriach, Unternberg, Hinterweisspriach, Zankwarn

To the main travel overview: Tamsweg.