Discover Mürzzuschlag – culture, nature and hotels

Mürzzuschlag combines cultural history with trails through the countryside and winter activities. The town lies directly on the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway and is a stage on the “From the Glacier to the Wine” hiking route. This brings together a range of themes: the history of the railway, Johannes Brahms’s summer stays, and trails that lead into and through Mürzzuschlag.

Brahms, railways and contemporary art

The Brahms Museum is considered the only museum of its kind in the world. Its permanent exhibition focuses on Johannes Brahms’s summer stays in Mürzzuschlag during the summers of 1884 and 1885. Brahms lived in the town for a total of nine months. The exhibition and the information about the length of his stay therefore emphasize two different time periods: it focuses on the two summers, while the nine months describe his entire time in Mürzzuschlag.

The SÜDBAHN Museum explores another aspect of regional history. It uses two locomotive sheds to house an exhibition on the Southern Railway between Vienna and Trieste. The focus is thus on a railway connection that reaches beyond the history of individual stays. Those interested in contemporary art will find another focal point at Kunsthaus Muerz, which is primarily dedicated to contemporary art in music, literature, visual arts and architecture. Its programme includes exhibitions, readings, concerts and curator-led tours.

Hiking with different destinations

The Styrian Semmering Railway Hiking Trail follows the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway from Semmering station to the SÜDBAHN Museum in Mürzzuschlag. From Mürzzuschlag, the trail can be reached by train to Semmering station. The direction described makes the connection between the railway landscape and the museum the focus of the tour. The hike up the Stuhleck takes a different approach: it starts in Mürzzuschlag and leads through forests and across alpine pastures. This highlights two distinct options: a route along the World Heritage site with a museum as its destination, and a hike through forest and alpine pastureland.

The Mürzer Au also adds to the nature and hiking opportunities. It is a protected landscape and features a forest nature trail and a fitness trail. The protected landscape and the two named facilities offer different ways to experience the area: the forest nature trail draws attention to the woods, while the fitness trail is a dedicated option for exercise.

Cycle path and winter activities

The Mürztal Cycle Path R5 runs from Mürzsteg via Mürzzuschlag to Bruck an der Mur. For the most part, it follows the Mürz River and slopes gently downhill; these characteristics make it suitable for families. Its connection to the river and gentle descent define the route described, which includes Mürzzuschlag as one section of a longer connection.

In winter, Mürzzuschlag offers the scenic Panoramaloipe cross-country ski trail, which is floodlit. For water-based activities, VIVAX Mürzzuschlag has a 25-metre sports and leisure pool, a 50-metre water slide, and a separate area for small children. The specific measurements clearly distinguish the pool from the slide; the dedicated children’s area adds to the facilities. Together with the ski trail, this provides a winter activity in town alongside the cultural and hiking opportunities.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Veitsch, Neuberg, Semmering, Mürzhofen, Mitterdorf Im Mürztal, Stanz Im Mürztal, Spital Am Semmering, Kindberg.

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