Discover Murtal: Mountain Landscapes, Culture and Experiences

In Murtal, mountain hiking, relaxation by clear lakes, cycling along the Mur and traditional festivals come together. There are also museums with a wide range of themes and seasonal activities.

Mountain Lakes, Trails and Peaks

Lake Großer Scheibelsee is a mountain lake at the foot of Bösenstein in Hohentauern, in Murtal. You can reach it via the toll road to Edelrautehütte, followed by a short hike. Weather and road conditions may affect the journey; check them before you set off. At 2,448 m, Großer Bösenstein is the highest peak in Murtal and a distinctive landmark in the mountain landscape.

The trails also vary in character. The nature and history trail in Fohnsdorf follows forest paths past numerous information boards, rest areas and natural wetlands. From Obdach, the adventure hiking trail leads to the St. Anna viewing platform and a viewpoint with panoramic views across the region. If you are planning to go cross-country skiing, Hohentauern has a network of trails with five access points and a total length of more than 13 km; seasonal conditions may vary.

For cyclists, the Murradweg runs through the whole of Styria and also passes the Sternenturm in Judenburg. Another route is the Seckauer Alpenradweg R24: it leads to Seckau, where the abbey is a noteworthy stop. These offer different route options without needing to be combined into a single route.

Museums with Distinctive Themes

The Museum Murtal in Judenburg is housed in a former Minorite monastery, one of the oldest buildings in the city. Its exhibition features archaeological finds from the Hallstatt period, including weapons, jewellery and intricately decorated pottery, as well as the famous Strettweg Cult Wagon. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are special exhibitions, workshops and an interactive map of the region. As the programme may change, check what is available for your chosen date before visiting.

The Judenburg City Museum spans the historical period from the Stone Age to modern times. A panoramic model of the city and a historical exhibition with 16 dioramas add to this overview. The Puch Museum is dedicated to the Puch brand and the people behind its innovations. The Fohnsdorf Mining Museum focuses on contemporary historical documents and mining exhibits, with 1,000 m² of covered exhibition space and 5,000 m² of outdoor grounds. Highlights include a 3,600 hp twin double-tandem steam engine and a 47 m-high headframe; the exhibition layout may change.

The Fohnsdorf Mining Museum can only be visited as part of a guided tour lasting around 1.5 hours; advance booking is requested. Check beforehand whether this visiting arrangement applies on your chosen date. The Military Aviation Museum is located in historic Hangar No. 8 in Zeltweg. Across 5,000 m², it displays more than 25 aircraft from the history of Austrian military aviation. The museum can be reached via the B 317 highway; parking is available at the sports centre.

Sternenturm and Driving Experiences

The 75 m-high Sternenturm in Judenburg is 500 years old. Access is via a glass-floor lift or 254 steps; check the current access details before your visit. You can reach the tower on city buses 2 and 3, or regional buses 860, 870 and 871 to the Judenburg Hauptplatz stop. As routes may change, it is worth checking the timetable. The planetarium uses a Zeiss star projector and several video projectors for its dome shows. A high-resolution film is followed by a live explanation of the stars and constellations.

At the Red Bull Ring, you can book driving experiences in a Porsche 718 Cayman S, on an official KTM Moto2 bike or in the off-road area. In the warmer months, there is also an 850 m-long outdoor go-kart track with 9 hp go-karts. The offerings and track details may change. The contrast between technology in the museum, astronomy in the planetarium and active driving offers different ways to shape your day around your interests.

Tradition and Local Delights

The traditional Puchparade in Judenburg takes place every year on 15 August. If you are planning a trip around this date, you can include the event as a set part of your itinerary. Regional offerings around Seckau and gingerbread add their own highlights: the Seckau Abbey distillery offers distillery tours and tastings by prior arrangement. Café and Konditorei Regner has been baking since 1660. Groups can arrange an afternoon coffee break, gingerbread tastings and a film about how Seckau gingerbread is made, provided they reserve well in advance.

If you are looking for hotels in Murtal, plan your trip around the experiences that matter to you, such as a hike, a museum visit, a cycling tour or a seasonal activity. Individual activities have specific conditions to consider—for example, advance booking for tours and tastings, the season for go-karting or cross-country skiing, and the weather and road conditions at Lake Großer Scheibelsee.

Discover more destinations: Weißkirchen in Steiermark, Preggraben, Gaal, Bretstein, Murau, Voitsberg, Knittelfeld, Leibnitz.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Styria.