Ranten: Discover Culture, Trails and Landscapes

Ranten lies on the southern edge of the Niedere Tauern in the Rantental valley and combines a distinctive cultural history with paths through landscapes and seasons. Those who choose a holiday destination not only based on accommodation but also on the experiences available locally will find various points of interest here: historic church art, a unique carnival tradition, hiking and horse-riding trails, as well as an extensive cross-country skiing network in winter.

Culture and Customs in Ranten

A distinct way to explore the local history is through Martin Zeiller. The travel writer, who was born in Ranten, lived from 1589 to 1661, is considered one of the world's first travel journalists and wrote the first German-language travel guide, “Fidus Achates”. The Martin Zeiller Garden in the village square commemorates him. The Martin Zeiller Trail also draws on this legacy: in 1989, the municipality erected a monument to him. Along the trail are seven milestones designed by Alfred Schlosser. Travel recommendations carved in stone from M. Zeiller's “FIDUS ACHATES” turn the route into a cultural discovery.

Ranten's religious and art-historical heritage includes the Catholic parish church. It was built in the early Middle Ages, around 1100, for the extensive parish area of the Ranten and Katschtal valleys and features Romanesque, Gothic and later-added Baroque architectural elements. The exterior also features a Protestant fresco cycle consisting of three paintings. Pastor Martin Zeiller Sr. commissioned it amid the tensions of the Reformation period; the Carinthian painter Wenzel Aichler executed it using fresco technique from around 1560 to 1570. A cultural walk allows you to combine different eras and forms of expression in this way.

The Ranten Faschingrennen carnival race is particularly distinctive. In 2011, it was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is one of Styria's oldest customs. On Shrove Monday, a large group of costumed men gathers in the village square. At 5:00 a.m., the Faschingrennen runners set off to the sound of cowbells and bells to drive away winter. On Shrove Tuesday, the race comes to an end in the village square with the Faschingshochzeit carnival wedding, in which only men portray a wedding. If you travel around carnival time, this very special cultural experience becomes a central part of planning your stay.

Hiking, Cycling and Cross-Country Skiing

For active days, Ranten has a well-marked network of hiking and horse-riding trails. Extended walks along the Rantenbach add a quieter way to experience the landscape to this selection. The village square is the central starting and access point for hiking tours and the cross-country ski trail. In winter, an extensive cross-country skiing network is available in Ranten. This makes the village square an important point of orientation when you want to divide your daily plans between walking, hiking and cross-country skiing.

Ranten can also be incorporated into your travel plans by bicycle. Shortly before reaching the destination, the Rantenradweg R63 arrives in the village along the Rantenbach and away from the main road. Before the village of Tratten, the cycle path runs along the main road for approximately 500 m. These different route sections provide concrete information for anyone who wants to explore Ranten by bicycle when planning their own route.

A Natural Destination for Active and Relaxing Days

Another natural spot you can include in your plans is the Rottenmanner Pond. The newly created landscape pond has a water surface of 3 ha and is considered an ecologically valuable landscape element. A walk around the lake, a break on the existing benches and observing nature create a mindful contrast to longer days of hiking. The pond is also suitable for a family outing, offering an option for a more relaxed day together.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Your Travel Plans

Choosing a holiday apartment in Ranten can be sensibly aligned with your desired activities. If you want to set off in the morning for a hike, horse-riding tour or cross-country ski trail, include the village square as the starting and access point in your daily plans. For culture-oriented travellers, the Martin Zeiller Garden, the Martin Zeiller Trail, the parish church and the Faschingrennen can form the main focus. Those who want to alternate between activity and relaxation can complement these impressions with walks along the Rantenbach or an excursion to the Rottenmanner Pond. This allows you to choose accommodation based on the experiences you want to shape your stay, without reducing the destination to just one type of travel.

Further destinations for orientation: Murau, Sankt Ruprecht Ob Murau, Stolzalpe, Zeutschach, Schönberg-Lachtal, Stadl An Der Mur, Kulm am Zirbitz, Kaindorf-Süd.

To the overarching travel overview: Murau.