Rein: Experience Monastery History and Trails
Accommodation in Rein
Rein combines a distinctive cultural and historical landmark with trails that offer different experiences: from nature and woodland knowledge to Kneipp facilities and a section of a European long-distance hiking trail. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on the abbey’s history, a particular themed trail or a hiking connection.
Rein Abbey and the Gothic Chapel of the Cross
Rein Abbey was founded in 1129 and is considered the oldest Cistercian abbey in the world. Two clearly identifiable periods come together in the Gothic Chapel of the Cross: the chapel dates from 1409, while its valuable frescoes and wall paintings are from the 15th century. This means your visit can focus both on the abbey’s long history and on the art in a specific space.
The abbey also houses the Stein.Zeit.Museum. It is free to visit during the stated opening hours. As opening details may change, check the hours before your visit.
Themed trails with different focuses
The “Rein in den Wald” (Into the Forest) adventure trail is a family-friendly circular route with ten stations. It combines nature experiences with woodland knowledge. The stations give the route a clear thematic focus, setting it apart from trails that focus on a particular landscape or connect two places.
The Reiner BarfuĂźweg (Rein Barefoot Trail) focuses on experiencing the trail underfoot and on its hands-on activities. It runs for about 600 metres alongside the MĂĽhlbach and features stations and Kneipp facilities. The trail is accessible and suitable for pushchairs. Its approximate length gives you a concrete guide for planning, without specifying a walking time.
The Reiner Kultur- und Naturweg (Rein Cultural and Nature Trail) runs between Rein Abbey and Enzenbach, with four stations along the way. It is also accessible. Its stated features set it apart from the family-friendly circular route and the barefoot trail: its profile includes four stations and a connection to Enzenbach.
The Alpenbockweg focuses on the landscape and natural history. Near Rein Abbey, the trail passes through unspoilt woodland and meadows, following gravel and forest paths. Information boards provide details about the Alpine longhorn beetle, a protected species. This route thus combines its specific trail conditions with a subject introduced on the information boards along the way.
A section of the Cistercian Trail
The Cistercian Trail includes a section of the European long-distance hiking trail, which stretches for several thousand kilometres, between Rein Abbey and the pilgrimage church of Maria StraĂźengel. You can hike the route from either location, and public transport is available for both the outbound and return journeys. This distinguishes the Cistercian Trail from the local themed trails: it forms part of a much larger hiking route and connects two named starting points or destinations.
Plan your journey and visit
RegioBus route 110 connects Graz with Rein Abbey. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off. For the Cistercian Trail, public transport connections to and from both locations are also relevant. The museum and bus offer practical points to consider in addition to choosing a trail: check the stated opening hours for the museum and the timetable for the bus.
When looking for a hotel in Rein, you can choose your stay based on your interests: the abbey and Chapel of the Cross offer a cultural and historical focus, while the trails explore various nature and hiking themes. Options range from a family-friendly circular route and accessible trails to a section of a long-distance hiking trail. The activities you choose will give your stay a focus that suits you.
Discover more destinations: KleinstĂĽbing, Edelsbach Bei Graz, Dobl, Sankt Radegund Bei Graz, Semriach, Deutschfeistritz, Nestelbach Bei Graz, Attendorf
See the main travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.
