Sankt Lambrecht: Nature, Trails and Abbey Culture

Sankt Lambrecht combines experiences in nature, trails through the landscape and the history of the Benedictine abbey to create a diverse destination. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can plan their days according to different interests: between alpine pastures and forests, abbey culture and pilgrimage, water activities and activities for different age groups.

Hiking between the gorge, alpine pastures and forest

A characteristic natural destination is the gorge in Sankt Lambrecht, which is designated as a natural monument. The trail through the St. Lambrecht Gorge leads over steps and bridges to a meadow with a viewing point. This allows you to combine an excursion with a specific trail experience without having to commit to a particular walking time for the route.

The Grebenzen heights are colourful alpine pastures in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park. They are suitable for hiking. The Grebenzen Heights summer cable car takes visitors to green alpine meadows and easily accessible peaks, where activities such as hiking and mountain biking are possible. Another point of reference is the St. Lambrecht circular hiking trail, which starts and ends at St. Lambrecht Benedictine Abbey.

The Podolerteich pond offers a different impression of the landscape. The pond is located in the middle of the forest in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park at an altitude of 1,050 metres. It is freely accessible at any time from the specified car park and is reached after an approximately five-minute walk through the forest. When choosing your accommodation, this difference between a forest walk, an alpine trail and a cultural destination can be a helpful consideration for planning your days.

Abbey history and pilgrimage

The collections of the St. Lambrecht Abbey Museum provide an insight into the 950-year history of the Benedictine abbey. The abbey is also home to St. Peter's Church, a Gothic church. The St. Lambrecht Abbey Garden complements this cultural focus: the 3.5-hectare garden complex was laid out in the mid-17th century according to plans by Admont court gardener Hans Strudl and abbey master builder Domenico Sciassia.

The route from Sankt Lambrecht to the Maria Schönanger pilgrimage church offers a spiritual and scenic connection. The easily walkable hiking trail runs along artistically designed Stations of the Cross created by Sankt Lambrecht artist Anna Heck. Maria Schönanger's full name is “Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Maria Schönanger”, and it is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park.

Water, animals and experiences for different kinds of holiday days

Weirerteich pond has a bathing jetty and a sunbathing lawn. The St. Lambrecht outdoor swimming pool has a pool for adults, a children's pool with toys and a playground with a climbing tower, swing and carousel. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between spending time at the pond and a day at the outdoor pool with additional play opportunities.

There are also various discoveries to make away from hiking and water activities. Guided tours at the Wallner ostrich farm provide insights into the life and breeding of ostriches. At a cosmetics course on the farm, you can learn how cosmetics are made. The “Wildlife & Habitat” exhibition presents native wild animals and provides insights into the connections between wild animals and their habitats.

For more athletic days, the challenging Kärnten Grenztrail, which is just under 2 kilometres long, leads mountain bikers along the Styrian-Carinthian border to Lake Auerling. From Lake Auerling, the route returns to Sankt Lambrecht along the valley floor. For arrival and further planning, it is also relevant that Mariahof-St. Lambrecht railway station is located 8 kilometres from the Grebenzen valley station.

Further places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Sankt Lambrecht, here is a compact selection: Katsch an der Mur, Murau, Sankt Georgen Ob Murau, Stadl An Der Mur, Scheifling, Einach, Niederwölz and Zeutschach.

To the higher-level travel overview: Murau.