Discover Fernitz bei Graz

Hiking trails, religious traditions and farm-produced specialties give Fernitz bei Graz a varied character. You can combine your stay with walks and scenic views, or focus on chapels, pilgrimages and regional produce. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider which of these aspects of the village interests you most.

Hiking trails and views around Fernitz

The Grabenland Trail is a 130-kilometre loop. It starts in Fernitz, south of Graz, heads as far as the Slovenian border and then returns north. The Josef Krainer Trail offers another specific route reference: the walk from Fernitz to Allerheiligen takes about three and a half hours. The trail is accessible year-round; check the route markings and conditions locally.

The Grabenland Trail follows field and forest paths uphill from Fernitz towards Fernitzberg and onward to the chapel in Gnaning. Route numbers 790, 791 and 792 help with navigation on the trail; check these details against the current signage as well. On the climb towards Fernitzberg, the marked routes include the Graz Surroundings Trail (GUW), the GU-SÜD Circular Hiking Trail (GSR) and hiking trail 792. In fine weather, this section offers views of the Mur Valley and the Bachern Mountains in Slovenia, the southeasternmost foothills of the Central Alps. A stretch through the woods leads towards Fernitzberg and then directly to Gnaning.

Fernitz-Mellach also has marked hiking and circular trails, as well as running routes of varying difficulty. The municipality’s cycling network connects directly to the Mur Cycle Path, the Ferbersbach Cycle Path and the Mellach Heights Cycle Path. If cycling is part of your stay, check the current signage locally. This lets you consider cycling routes as a separate focus alongside the hiking trails, without assuming that they are close to a particular accommodation.

Chapels and living traditions

Nearby, the Gnaning village chapel serves primarily as a place of Marian devotion, rather than as a chapel for Mass. Gnaning Dorf Chapel was built in 1820 by the landowner of the time as a votive chapel. The Gnaning village community holds a traditional festival there every two years. The chapel is also a point of reference for walkers: nearby, the GU-Süd Circular Hiking Trail, the Grabenland Trail, the Josef Krainer Trail and the Graz Surroundings Trail pass by Gnaning Dorf Chapel.

In the host municipality of Fernitz-Mellach, a pilgrimage takes place at Fernitz parish church on the 13th of every month. If you are interested in the church, you can contact the parish office on 03135 55400 for information about trained church guides. This is a way to find out about church guides; do not assume that a guided tour is available without checking in advance.

Market and farm-produced specialties

The Fernitz farmers’ market takes place in Fernitz-Mellach every Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Fernitz church square. Fresh farm-produced specialties made by the producers themselves are on offer. Since the market is only held on one day of the week, it is worth checking the date again before travelling.

The processing carried out at Andreas Kurzmann’s farm is also among the municipality’s documented products: pigs born there and fed on the farm’s own feed are traditionally made into a variety of specialties. If you are planning a visit with the farm shop in mind, check availability in advance.

Choosing the right holiday apartment

When deciding where to look for a holiday apartment, you can use your preferred focus for your stay as a guide. Those mainly interested in hiking or cycling can plan around the trails and routes mentioned; those interested in religious traditions and farm produce can include a pilgrimage and the Friday market. The specific route details, market day and current signage can help you plan a trip that suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Kumberg, Fölling, Raaba, Seiersberg, Sankt Peter, Übelbach, Mantscha, Unterfriesach.

View the wider travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.