Over the mountains - in the middle of the city

From the Graz Region Tourist Information, walk north along Herrengasse to Hauptplatz. Take Murgasse to get to the Erzherzog Johann bridge. Cross the bridge and then turn north to stroll along the Mur. Within a few minutes of walking, the asphalted city centre becomes a green path along the flowing Mur, which accompanies you all the way to Calvary Hill. Calvary Hill, built in the 17th century, was at the time the fi rst replica of Jerusalem’s Golgotha crucifi xion hill and its installations reminiscent of Christ’s crucifixion within the Habsburg hereditary lands. After a circuit on Calvary Hill, walk back a bit to reach the left bank of the Mur over Calvary Bridge. Take Kettengasse and Robert-StolzGasse to reach Grabenstraße. This is where the trail starts up the Reinerkogel, which you immediately leave again to climb the 450 steps of the Jakobsleiter (Jacob’s Ladder) – you need a lot of puff here! On the other side, you zigzag downhill again. You now take Saumgasse and Quellengasse, walking through a splendid residential area back up to the next peak – the Rosenberg. At the “Minoritenschlössel” we walk through Panoramagasse to the highlight of the tour – a deck chair on the “Café Rosenhain” terrace with a wonderful view of the Schlossberg in Graz. Treat yourself to some refreshments?

Well refreshed and looking forward to the final summit, walk down the Rosenhain and through Humboldtstraße and Wormgasse to the northern part of the Stadtpark. Between the memorial to the fallen of both world wars at Paulustor and the provincial sports centre, designed by the Graz sculptor Alexander Silveri, a path leads, almost secretly away from the hustle and bustle, up to the Schlossberg. Walk down Kriegssteig and cross Schlossbergplatz before you return to Hauptplatz through Sackstraße.

P.S.: Anyone who has problems with heights can also walk past the clock tower along the path towards Karmeliterplatz and turn right just before it through the tunnel in Schlossberg to Schlossbergplatz. Action lovers should take the downhill ride on the Schlossberg slide!

• Calvary Hill
• Schlossberg slide
• Fairy tale train
• The Flight 4D-Cinema

In the old town of Graz, you are spoiled for choice: Should the car be parked in one of the numerous underground car parks, in the blue zone in the city centre or at a park-and-ride (P&R) site.

Eating & drinking:

• Kreuzwirt am Rosenberg
• Café Rosenhain
• Aiola upstairs
• Starcke Haus
• Restaurant Schlossberg