Breitenau – Raab Gorge, Hiking Trails and History

Breitenau is a rewarding destination for anyone who would like to combine experiences in nature with historical discoveries. The more than 10-kilometre-long Raab Gorge defines the landscape, while trails through Breitenau allow for different approaches to planning a day. Other highlights include Gutenberg Castle, the Loreto Chapel, the Path of 100,000 Steps, the Buchberg–Breitenau Trail, Hiking Trail 753 and the Schöcklblick Tour.

Hiking through the Raab Gorge and Breitenau

The Raab Gorge offers visitors a special hiking experience. Its length of more than 10 kilometres is an important point of reference when planning an excursion. Those who enjoy incorporating longer distances into a trip can treat the gorge as a standalone focus. For others, a shorter selection of the trails leading through Breitenau may be more suitable.

The marked Path of 100,000 Steps follows a downhill section through Breitenau. The Buchberg–Breitenau Trail runs partly through Breitenau and partly through Buchberg. Hiking Trail 753 also passes through the village; its described route leads from Mariatrost to Buchberg and through Breitenau. These different routes help you align your day’s plans with your preferred starting and ending points without combining all the trails into a single circular route.

There is also a specific connection to Breitenau for cycling: the Schöcklblick Tour leads to Burgstaller Höhe and then downhill through the village. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the focus of your trip should be on a hike, a bike tour or a combination of nature and culture.

Gutenberg Castle and the Loreto Chapel

The historical character of the surrounding area is reflected in two prominent buildings. Gutenberg Castle, also known as Gutenberg Fortress, was built from 1184 onwards on a rock that projects into the Raab Gorge. The Loreto Chapel was established from 1691 onwards: Sigmund von Stubenberg had it built as a symbol of Catholicism. It was named after the Italian pilgrimage site of the same name.

The Loreto Chapel stands elevated to the west above Gutenberg Castle and is connected to the castle by an avenue. Those interested in religious buildings, castle history and landscapes can take these themes into account together when planning their trip. The connection between the two buildings provides a clear historical focus, while the Raab Gorge and the trails determine the natural aspect of the trip.

The right base for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Breitenau, it is worthwhile to first define your personal goals for each day. If you are planning a hike through the Raab Gorge, a section of the Path of 100,000 Steps or Hiking Trail 753, your considerations will differ from those for a trip focused on Gutenberg Fortress and the Loreto Chapel. The Schöcklblick Tour also offers another way to make your stay active.

For families with different interests, it may be helpful not to force the natural and cultural attractions into a rigid programme. A day with a hiking trail or bike tour can be mentally separated from a day of historical impressions. Breitenau is therefore particularly interesting for travellers who want to choose their accommodation as a starting point for a varied exploration of the landscape and its history.

More places for planning your trip: Oberrettenbach, Hofstätten An Der Raab, Anger, Hohenau An Der Raab, Puch Bei Weiz, Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Birkfeld and Stenzengreith.

To the higher-level travel overview: Weiz.