Grabersdorf: Themed Trails and Local History

The local information about Grabersdorf brings together two themed trails with different approaches, as well as history, chapels and a pumpkin seed oil mill. When planning your visit, it is especially helpful to choose which trail focus suits you: the Ritterweg (Knights’ Trail) starts in the village, while the Tier-Wald-Feld (Animal-Forest-Field) themed trail runs along the Gnasbach stream. Historical connections and local production complement these different ways of exploring the area.

Two themed trails with different focuses

The Tier-Wald-Feld themed trail runs from the Gnas sports grounds along the Gnasbach stream via Raning to Grabersdorf and back again. Its information boards divide the content into a subject-focused section for adults and a simply presented, educational section for children. Pupils and teachers from Gnas Primary School created the children’s section. The trail therefore combines a specific route with different approaches to sharing knowledge.

The Ritterweg starts in the middle of Grabersdorf at the iron sculpture Ritter von Grabersdorf (Knight of Grabersdorf), created by Fernando Crespo in 2010. The trail is suitable for pushchairs and can be explored by bicycle; it has no steep climbs or obstacles. At the Gnasbach stream, the Ritterweg meets the Tier-Wald-Feld themed trail. The two trails therefore share a landmark there, even though their described features reflect different focuses.

Traces of the Knights of Grabersdorf

The family of the Knights of Grabersdorf is first mentioned in a document in 1308. Their presumed ancestral seat was probably near the Lechenbauer (Lehenbauer) in Grabersdorf. Another historical connection is the manor house in Grabersdorf: it was demolished in 1684, and its building materials were used to construct the side aisles of the Gnas church.

The dates refer to different events: 1308 marks the first documented mention of the knightly family, 1684 the demolition of the manor house and 2010 the creation of the sculpture on the Ritterweg. This chronology helps distinguish historical references from today’s trail marker.

Chapels and pumpkin seed oil

The Grabersdorf village chapel dates from 1830 and is listed in the Styrian monument register, as of 23 June 2026, as being under monument protection by ordinance. The Rosenkranzkönigin (Queen of the Rosary) Mass Chapel is also in Grabersdorf. Alongside the trails and the story of the knights, the chapels therefore offer further local points of interest during a stay.

For those interested in food production as well as trails and local history, the Grabersdorf pumpkin seed oil mill offers another local connection: it produces pumpkin seed oil. This adds another dimension to the historical and cultural themes without changing the focus of either route.

Which trail suits your plans?

If you are travelling with a pushchair or would like to explore by bicycle, the Ritterweg’s stated features are a practical factor in choosing a trail. The Tier-Wald-Feld themed trail, by contrast, stands out for its route along the Gnasbach stream and its differently designed information boards. The trails meet at the stream; you can choose between their respective focuses based on the features and topics described. Depending on your interests, you can therefore include Grabersdorf in your travel plans by following the trails, exploring the history of the knights or discovering local culture and production.

Discover more destinations: Weinburg Am Saßbach, Lugitsch, Größing, Wittmannsdorf, Mureck, Halbenrain, Gemeinde Murfeld, Maierdorf.

See the regional travel overview: Südoststeiermark.