Gratkorn: Trails, rolling hills and culture

Gratkorn is nestled in the Graz Hills and combines scenic attractions with churches, local traditions and an exhibition. The surrounding countryside offers numerous hiking and cycling trails. Cultural landmarks include the Catholic parish church of St. Stefan, the Lourdes Chapel in Dult, the Maypole tradition at the cultural center and the tropical exhibition. If you are looking for a hotel in Gratkorn, these varied attractions offer a practical guide for planning your trip.

Hiking and cycling trails in the Graz Hills

The countryside around Gratkorn has numerous hiking and cycling trails. One specifically named route is the Gratkorn Circular Hike: it starts at the church square and follows hiking trail No. 8 via Höllgraben and Jasen to Höchwirt. This means that, alongside the general network of trails, there is also a specific route with a starting point, trail number and sequence of places. The circular hike provides a concrete reference for planning your walk, while the many trails reflect Gratkorn’s wider landscape.

The church square is also a convenient reference point for getting to the trail: the circular hike starts there, and bus No. 110 takes you directly to the church square. The stop is called St. Stefan Kirchplatz. As transport details may change, check the timetable before you travel.

Church, chapel and traces of the past

The Catholic parish church of St. Stefan features architectural elements dating back to the Romanesque period. The parish church and the rectory are now the only listed buildings in this area. A villa rustica—a country house built using Mediterranean construction techniques during the Roman imperial period, around 200 AD—is the only Roman building ever found in the Gratkorn Basin. The Romanesque architectural elements at St. Stefan and the Roman building discovered in the Gratkorn Basin represent two distinct historical landmarks.

The Lourdes Chapel in Dult stands opposite the Maria Rast monastery, at the intersection of Dultstraße and Brunnleitenweg. Inside, the Lourdes scene is recreated: Saint Bernadette kneels before the apparition of the Virgin Mary. Visitors cannot enter the chapel; the best way to view the scene is through the gate. The monastery opposite and the named intersection also give you clear landmarks for finding the location.

The two sites are different in terms of planning your visit: the hike has a named starting point with a bus connection, while access restrictions and viewing the chapel through the gate are the key considerations.

Local tradition and the tropical exhibition

For many years, the Gratkorn Young Farmers’ Association has erected a maypole at the Gratkorn cultural center on the eve of May 1. The tradition links a fixed date in the annual calendar with a specific place in community life. If you are planning a trip around May 1, check the latest event details.

The tropical exhibition is housed at Blumenbauernhof Teibinger in Gratkorn, north of Graz. Its collection comprises more than 1,100 objects. Alongside the historical and religious sites, the collection offers a distinct exhibition focus.

Discover more destinations: Taschen, Hausmannstätten, Gschnaidt, Sankt Peter, Hart, Tobelbad, Thondorf, Graz

See the regional travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.