Sankt Lambrecht: Nature Trails and Abbey History

When looking for a hotel in Sankt Lambrecht, you can first decide whether nature trails, alpine hikes or the history of the abbey should be the focus of your trip. The destination offers a range of options: from a gorge with a viewing point and alpine pastures in the nature park to the collections of the Benedictine Abbey.

Trails through gorge, forest and alpine pastures

The gorge in Sankt Lambrecht is designated a natural monument. The trail leads over steps and bridges to a meadow with a viewing point. It combines distinctive sections of trail with a clearly marked destination. If you are planning a hike connected with the abbey, you can follow the St. Lambrecht Circular Hiking Trail, which starts and ends at St. Lambrecht Benedictine Abbey.

The Grebenzen heights offer a different kind of landscape. Their colourful alpine pastures lie in Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park and are ideal for hiking. Podolerteich pond is also in the nature park, deep in the forest at an elevation of 1,050 metres. It is freely accessible at any time until 31 December 2026; from the car park, it is about a five-minute walk through the forest to the pond. The two nature destinations therefore have distinct features: the Grebenzen heights are all about alpine pastures and hiking, while Podolerteich is defined by its forest setting and the short walk to the water.

Abbey history and pilgrimage

The collections at St. Lambrecht Abbey Museum offer insight into the 950-year history of the Benedictine Abbey. The abbey grounds are also home to St. Peter’s Church, a Gothic church. Together, the museum and church offer different ways to explore the abbey’s history: the collections focus on its long historical development, while St. Peter’s Church is characterised by its Gothic architecture.

The abbey garden also has a specific historical connection. It was laid out in the mid-17th century based on plans by Hans Strudl, court gardener to Admont Abbey, and the abbey’s master builder Domenico Sciassia, and covers 3.5 hectares. Its date of origin and its two designers give the garden a distinctive place in the town’s cultural history. At the same time, the description of it as a garden does not indicate whether it is currently open to visitors.

An easy-to-walk trail leads from Sankt Lambrecht along artistically designed Stations of the Cross by local artist Anna Heck to the Maria Schönanger pilgrimage church. It is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church in Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park; its full name is “Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Maria Schönanger”. Here, a religiously themed route, the art of the Stations of the Cross and a specific destination come together. These details help you distinguish this experience from a hike through the gorge or across alpine pastures.

Mountain biking, nature education and other activities

For mountain biking travellers, the Carinthian Border Trail is a clearly described option: it is just under 2 kilometres long, challenging and runs along the Styrian-Carinthian border to Auerlingsee lake. From there, the route returns to Sankt Lambrecht along the valley floor. The Grebenzen Heights summer cable car offers a different focus. It takes visitors to green alpine meadows and easily accessible peaks, where they can enjoy activities such as hiking and mountain biking.

Those interested in local wildlife can explore the landscapes of the region further at the “Wildlife & Habitat” exhibition. It introduces local wildlife and explains the connections between animals and their habitats. At Wallner Ostrich Farm, guided tours offer insights into the lives and rearing of ostriches. You can also learn how cosmetics are made in a farm-based cosmetics workshop. These are different ways to engage with nature and agriculture: through an exhibition, guided insights into ostrich farming, or hands-on participation in a workshop.

Water destinations and getting around

Weirerteich pond has a bathing jetty and a sunbathing lawn. St. Lambrecht outdoor pool has a pool for adults and a children’s pool with toys. The outdoor pool also has a playground with a climbing tower, swing and merry-go-round. If you are comparing places to enjoy the water, there are different facilities to choose from: the bathing jetty and sunbathing lawn at the pond, or the pools and play equipment at the outdoor pool.

Mariahof-St. Lambrecht railway station is also a useful reference point when planning a trip to Grebenzen: it is 8 kilometres from the Grebenzen valley station. This figure refers to the valley station and gives you a distance to help plan your trip, without making any claims about connections or journey times.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Peter Am Kammersberg, Kaindorf-Süd, Oberwölz Stadt, Teufenbach, Winklern bei Oberwölz, Sankt Lorenzen bei Scheifling, Laßnitz bei Murau, Krakauhintermühlen.

For the overarching travel overview: Murau.