View over Schaftal and Stiftingtal valleys with apples in foreground and mountains in background. | © Graz Tourismus

Without borders: between the Schaftal and Stiftingtal valleys

This tour crosses the Graz city border and leads along the hills of the Schaftal valley into the idyllic Stiftingtal valley.

In the midst of the hilly landscape of the Schaftal, the trail leads past old apple trees and meadows and there is also a great view of Graz's local mountain Schöckl. A special attraction on the trail is the Schaftalberg weather tower. This is a bell tower made of spruce wood which was rung in case of danger from storms or fire. Right next to the tower, a shady chestnut tree invites you to have a picnic. A stop at the Griesbauer Inn, which is famous for its fried chicken, is also highly recommended. Here you can linger under the shady chestnut trees. And children will also enjoy themselves at the adjacent playground.

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Map of the 11 km hike "Without borders: between the Schaftal and Stiftingtal valleys" past old apple trees and pastures, with a great view of Graz’s local mountain, the Schöckl. | © Graz Tourismus
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It is recommended to arrive by public transport! 

Getting there: Tram line 1 from Hauptplatz to the end of the line

Getting back: Bus route 82 towards St. Leonhard, tram line 7 towards Wetzelsdorf

Arrival by car: Via the A2 or A9 freeway you can get directly to the provincial capital Graz.

You start this tour from the Tourist Information Graz Region at Herrengasse 16 and take tram line 1 from Hauptplatz towards Mariatrost. At the end of the line, you can already see the “Mariatrost Basilica”, which you can reach in a few minutes by taking the 216 steps or the footpath next to the road. The “Mariatrost Pilgrimage Church” is the most important shrine to the Virgin Mary in Styria after Mariazell.

Leaving the church on the left-hand side, the asphalted path leads you to the entrance of the graveyard. Walking along the wall of the graveyard you turn right into Kirchbergstraße and Gottscheer Straße, which brings you to the Gottscheer memorial. The former German-speaking population of the Gottschee Country in the Duchy of Carniola (today: Slovenia) are called Gottscheers.

A few metres after the memorial turn left into Roseggerweg. Follow Roseggerweg slightly uphill past apple trees, fields, meadows and finally
through the wood. At the end of Roseggerweg you find a heart shaped bench. Walk straight on into Schaftalberg.

Walking on you reach a weather tower built of wood. The path meanders leisurely along and offers a great view of the Schöckl, Graz’s local mountain, and the village of St. Radegund again and again. At the fork with Reindlwaldweg turn right and follow this slightly downhill into the forest again until you see the signpost to “Gasthaus Griesbauer”. Turn sharp right here, from here the road leads steeply downhill. Follow the path, which leads directly to the inn, where you can linger under the shady chestnut trees. There is an adjacent playground for children.

After “Gasthaus Griesbauer”, follow the main road, which leads you straight to Stiftingtalstraße after a few minutes, and stay on this. At the “Schmied König” stop, turn left into Rohrbachhöhe and you will reach “Heurigenschenke Sattler”. From there you have a beautiful view of the Stiftingtal valley and the surrounding hilly landscape. Bus route 82 and tram line 7 will take you back to the city centre.

This tour is suitable for baby carriages.

  • Basilica Mariatrost
  • Gottscheer Memorial
  • Weather tower Schaftalberg - its bell was rung when there was danger from weather or fire.

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:

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