Discover Übelbach: Waterways, History and the Gleinalm

Übelbach combines the gentle ridges of the Gleinalm with waterways, regional history and a variety of excursions. The Gleinalm forms part of the foothills of the Eastern Alps, offering a landscape perspective for anyone who enjoys hiking on holiday, exploring the surroundings by bike or discovering historical features. When looking for a holiday apartment in Übelbach, it is therefore worth considering your preferred travel rhythm first: Should the trip focus on hikes, family-friendly discoveries or a mixture of nature and culture?

Experience Water and Discover History

An engaging introduction to the special features of the area is the water-themed trail “WWW-WasserWissensWelt”. Along the Übelbach, 14 information panels explain the topic of water. The trail is accompanied by Aqualina, the mascot representing a spatial model of the water molecule H2O. Such tangible stops also give a trip with children an easy-to-understand thematic framework without turning it into a fixed daily programme.

The history trail follows the Sängersteig and presents local history at around 10 stops in an entertaining and child-friendly way. The old manor house of the “Altes Hammerherrenhaus” inn also tells the story of the era of the hammer mills along the Übelbach. Übelbach Parish Church is a late Gothic wall-pillar church. Inside is the Übelbach Madonna, created around 1435/40. Those interested in sacred art and regional history can include these destinations in their personal holiday plans without limiting their stay to just one type of experience.

Hiking on the Gleinalm

For a longer hike, the well-marked route from the market town of Übelbach via Krautwasch to the Gleinalm Schutzhaus is a good option. The route is approximately 9 km long; it takes around 2.5 hours to reach the refuge. Take these details into account when planning your day and choose accommodation that suits your preferred schedule. Easy to more challenging hikes start at the refuge near the Maria Schnee pilgrimage church on the Gleinalm. The pilgrimage church is located on the Gleinalm and is passed by pilgrimage routes, including the Way of St. James.

The Drei-Birken hike also has its own distinctive appeal: Beneath three birch trees is a scenic resting place with views of Übelbach and the Graz Mountain Region. The Bachweg trail includes the “Park of Lovers’ Trees”. The “Edible Landscape” is considered an accessible and experiential natural area associated with biodiversity and environmentally conscious living. This places different ways of spending time outdoors side by side—from the viewpoint and the Bachweg trail to a mindful engagement with nature and the landscape.

Active Excursions and Seasonal Variety

Anyone wishing to explore Übelbach by bicycle can take the Silberbergrunde, a moderately difficult mountain bike tour via Krautwasch and Silberberg. It is 30.8 km long and runs along asphalt and gravel roads. The Übelbacher Silberweg follows forest paths, forestry roads and short asphalt sections; in places, it runs along the history trail and the forest educational trail. This allows sporting interests to be combined with the landscape and regional history.

For a different kind of day, the leisure facility at Pastner Teich offers beach volleyball and a multifunctional sports court. In winter, the facility serves as an ice-skating rink. St. Michael’s Chapel commemorates the historic silver mining industry, while the St. Michael wedding chapel provides couples with an atmospheric setting for saying “I do”. The entrance hall of the Maria Schnee pilgrimage church is freely accessible during the day in summer and can be used for prayer and meditation.

Arrival and Other Places

Übelbach can be reached by the S11. From Graz, take the S1 to Peggau-Deutschfeistritz and then continue on the S11. This is important guidance for planning your journey before selecting the right holiday apartment or another type of accommodation. For further travel planning, you can also view Sankt Peter, Unterfriesach, Semriach, Gratkorn, Laßnitzhöhe, Neureiteregg, Rein and Tobelbad.

Übelbach is therefore well suited to trips that combine nature, activity and history. Depending on whether you focus on the history trail, the Gleinalm, a cycling tour, water experiences or more relaxed discoveries, you can choose your accommodation according to your desired holiday pace.

For the overarching travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.