Schirningtal circuit

Gratwein railway station

Starting at Gratwein railway station, it's a leisurely ride following the signs through the centre of Gratwein to Eisbach. You`ll soon reach the impressive Rein Abbey at the head of the valley – a great opportunity to visit the abbey basilica or take a short break at the abbey`s tavern. The ascent to Plesch begins on Pleschstrasse behind the abbey. As you come out of the Kehrerwald forest, the view opens up and you can see far beyond Meierhof and the Schirning across eastern Styria. A short time later, turn left at the former Klöckl inn and follow the signs to Meierhof and Schirning along the Harrerstrasse. On a narrow road that goes through farmyards, colourful flower meadows and small woods, you`ll ascend and descend to tranquil Meierhof. After a passage through idyllic forest, you reach a residential area and will see, about a hundred metres further on, a fork in the road with a traffic island. Here you turn left towards the small farm museum (Kleines Bauernmuseum) onto Meierhofweg. Ride through the farmyard and continue past the farm museum and the König family`s farm. The Königs are known far and wide for their meat specialties, which can be purchased from Monday to Saturday at their farm. Back in the valley, you can turn left into Greithweg and ride to the Weisserdenkreuz cross and back to Rein Abbey. The two mountain stages (Greithriegel and Klosterriegel) should not be underestimated, unless you are riding an e-bike! Alternatively, turn right towards the Absenger in and then follow the Liebochtal bicycle path in the direction of Gratwein. If you`ve stopped for a culinary reward to compensate for the kilometres ridden, you`ll be pleased how gently this route takes you down towards Gratwein. In the village of Mittlere Schirning, turn left at the Csar riding stables onto the Teichhüttenweg and ride along the romantic edge of the forest past the Hubertus ponds, where you can buy a caught fish – or unpack your fishing rod and fish your dinner yourself! The signposting of the Liebochtal cycling path will direct you to the natural Weihermühle bathing pond, which offers a welcoming cooling. From here, the starting point of the tour, the train station, is only a few hundred metres away.