Graßnitz: Earth Station and Trails on the Schießling

Graßnitz lies east of Aflenz at the foot of the Schießling. Here, the mountain setting meets an unusual technical attraction: Austria’s only earth station is located in Graßnitz. You can choose between several focal points for your stay—architecture and a multimedia presentation, hiking trails through woodland with scenic views, or Schießlingalm as the destination for a hike. In this way, Graßnitz combines a technical landmark with different ways to experience the surrounding landscape. This mix lets you plan your stay around your personal interests, rather than seeing Graßnitz only as a mountain or technology destination.

Earth Station and Architecture

Designed by Gustav Peichl, the Aflenz earth station building is almost invisibly integrated into the landscape. Its discreet setting gives the building its own architectural character: the design and its effect on the landscape go hand in hand here. The facility can therefore be viewed both for its technical uniqueness and for the design of its building. For architecture enthusiasts, this interplay between a technical subject and an unobtrusive setting offers a distinct way to discover Graßnitz. The architect and the building’s integration into the landscape are specific points of interest if you are also interested in architecture alongside the hiking trails.

The visitor room at the Aflenz earth station offers a free, three-minute multimedia show. Its short duration makes it a clearly defined activity. If you are focusing your trip on technology, you can include the show as a compact part of your day’s itinerary.

Hiking Trails and Destinations

The Zoag ma wos trail runs through woodland, past scenic viewpoints, and ends at the Aflenz earth station in Graßnitz. A circular hike starts at the car park of the Grassnitz earth station near Aflenz and leads over the 1,667 m-high Schießling to Schießlingalm. The trails offer different highlights: the Zoag ma wos trail takes in woodland, views and the earth station, while the circular hike links the summit with the alpine inn as its destination. You can distinguish between the hiking options by their listed waypoints.

Schießlingalm and Local Monument

The Schießlingalm alpine inn is located at 1,484 m and serves Styrian specialities. It can be reached from Graßnitz via hiking trail No. 863. Trail conditions may vary; check them before setting out. The food on offer may also change. If stopping for a meal is important to your day’s plan, check what is available before planning a stop. Its elevation links the mountain setting with a specific opportunity to enjoy a meal.

A wayside shrine at Graßnitz 29 is one of the town’s protected monuments. It is a landmark in its own right for travellers who want to take in local cultural features as well as the landscape and technology. Alongside the earth station and hiking destinations, it adds a protected architectural feature to the town’s attractions.

Discover more travel destinations: Sankt Jakob-Breitenau, Untertal, Etmißl, Bruck An Der Mur, Thörl, Oberaich, Sankt Ilgen, Mariazell

Go to the main travel overview: Bruck An Der Mur.