Feistritztalradweg R8

There is one thing we can look forward to on the Feistritztalradweg even before we start pedaling: the outward or return journey to and from Birkfeld. The ride on the Feistritztalbahn from Weiz is a very special experience. We get an impression of how wildly romantic the landscape ahead is and that it is still an achievement to conquer it. Both back then during the bold construction of the railroad and today, as we cycle through forests on the steadily gently sloping cycle path.

Since the gorge is a flood zone and is under nature protection, the bike path could only be built under strict conditions with as little interference with nature as possible. The fords (crossings just above the water) do not have railings (would lead to blockages in case of high water) and are reinforced by massive stone fillings:

1st day stage

Ratten - Gschaid near Birkfeld - Koglhof - Anger - Lake Stubenberg

We start in the village of Ratten. In some cases the starting point of the Feistritztalradweg is given in Krieglach in the Mürztal. In this case, however, a stage over the Alpl with several hundred meters of ascent would already await us after the start. However, since we are in the Genussland Steiermark, we take it a little easier and also recommend dividing the tour into two days, because there is so much to discover that it would be a shame not to take the appropriate time. For the first few kilometers, the cycle path leads downhill along the route of the former Feistritztal railroad through shady forests to Birkfeld. The path is gravelled and so the bike tour becomes a true nature experience. In Birkfeld you can take a look at the Felber chocolate factory. From here, the Feistritztalbahn also runs to Weiz, a popular means of transportation that takes us back to our childhood.

Further south, the landscape is dominated by apple and elder trees. The historic town center of Anger with its beautiful church and romantic marketplace invites us to take a break. After a refreshment stop, we continue cycling past apple trees and elder blossoms in the direction of the Stubenbergklamm gorge. The following section is without exaggeration one of the most beautiful bike paths in the Alps. Thundering water, enormous rock walls and bold fords accompany us through the gorge. Fire salamanders and tree frogs scurry along the bike path and in the treetops wagtails, chaffinches and green woodpeckers give a concert. At the exit of the gorge, Lake Stubenberg awaits us, one of the most popular bathing lakes in eastern Austria. A cooling down after the first stage will do our calves good.

Length: 43,8 km

Meters in altitude ascending/descending: 661 m / 1.062 m

Please note that the section between Birkfeld and Koglhof can only be driven on a busy road.

2nd stage of the day

Stubenbergsee - Herberstein Animal World - Kaibing - Großwilfersdorf - Fürstenfeld - Loipersdorf Thermal Spa

On the second day we go to the Herberstein Animal World, where a visit is almost a must. After we have met lions, zebras and monkeys, we continue via the small village of Kaibing to Großsteinbach, where a bathing lake awaits us again and invites us to relax. The next kilometers lead us through corn and pumpkin fields, always accompanying our already dear Feistritz, to Fürstenfeld. The town also calls itself the thermal capital because of its proximity to the Loipersdorf thermal spa. Southern flair in the beautiful center of the old town tempts us not only to a well-deserved stop, but also to stroll.

The small town of Rudersdorf, east of Fürstenfeld, represents the end of the signposted Feitritztalradweg R8. However, at the end of the town of Fürstenfeld at the Mühlbreiten power plant, we branch off onto the R12 thermal cycle path in a southerly direction in order to reach the Loipersdorf spa after a few kilometers. This section of the R12 thermal cycle path takes us past the villages of Dietersdorf and Loipersdorf directly to the spa. On the last meters past the golf course it is once again uphill, but the thermal spa rewards our efforts. Another tip: Especially in spring you can experience the numerous facets of the Styrian landscape on the Feistritztalradweg. While in the north at the beginning of the tour in the narrow valley on the shady side there are still remnants of snow along the path, in the south a few kilometers away the fruit trees are already in bloom. The tour ends in the vineyards around Loipersdorf.

Length: 52,9 km

Vertical meters ascending/descending: 365 m / 415 m

From Graz via Weiz and Birkfeld to St. Kathrein am Hauenstein.

St. Kathrein am Hauenstein

Ratten

Koglhof

Stubenberg am See

Birkfeld