Breitenau: Hiking, Raab Gorge and Historic Trails

Breitenau is suitable for travelers who want to combine accommodation with a stay surrounded by hiking trails, gorge landscapes and historical points of interest. The options range from marked paths through the town to longer landscape experiences in the Raab Gorge. The Loreto Chapel and Gutenberg Castle also offer cultural destinations with well-documented historical connections.

Key facts on the subject

• The marked 100,000 Steps trail leads through Breitenau on a downhill section.
• Hiking Trail 753 leads from Mariatrost to Buchberg and through Breitenau; in the trail catalog, it is listed with the number “21”.
• The Buchberg–Breitenau Trail runs partly through Breitenau and partly through Buchberg.
• The Raab Gorge, which is more than 10 kilometers long, offers a special hiking experience.
• The Stenzengreith Theme Trail follows a romantic wild stream through the so-called Mühlgraben and offers a place to rest at a small waterfall.
• The Loreto Chapel was built from 1691 onward by Sigmund von Stubenberg as a symbol of Catholicism and named after the Italian pilgrimage site of the same name.

Hiking trails with different focuses

For planning your day, it is helpful to distinguish the trails by their routes. The section of the 100,000 Steps trail through Breitenau runs downhill. The Buchberg–Breitenau Trail, by contrast, connects two place names: it runs partly through Breitenau and partly through Buchberg. If you are looking for a longer connection rather than a single local trail section, Hiking Trail 753 leads from Mariatrost to Buchberg and through Breitenau.

The Schöcklblick Tour also has its own character. It leads to Burgstaller Höhe and then downhill through Breitenau. In the associated municipality, the Schöckl Loop also runs mainly along well-developed hiking trails, forest roads and short sections of road. This information helps you classify the type of route you want more precisely before choosing your accommodation, without combining different trails into a single profile.

Raab Gorge and Theme Trail

The Raab Gorge is more than 10 kilometers long and defines the region’s connection to the landscape. For visitors, a special hiking experience is the main attraction there. Another connection with nature comes from the Raab Gorge Natura 2000 site: Gutenberg-Stenzengreith is one of the municipalities in this area.

The route of the Stenzengreith Theme Trail follows a romantic wild stream through the so-called Mühlgraben. There is a place to rest at a small waterfall. This makes it possible to include the trail in your plans if you want to combine a natural section with a specific resting point along the way.

Historical points of interest for your stay

The Loreto Chapel stands on elevated ground to the west above Gutenberg Castle and is connected to the castle by an avenue. Gutenberg Castle, also known as Gutenberg Fortress, was built from 1184 onward on a rock projecting into the Raab Gorge. The Loreto Chapel was built from 1691 onward as a symbol of Catholicism and named after the Italian pilgrimage site of the same name.

As you continue choosing, pay attention to the exact location of each accommodation option and to which of these focuses is decisive for your travel plans.

To compare other places, you can also view Plenzengreith, Fischbach, Sankt Ruprecht An Der Raab, Ratten, Birkfeld, Markt Hartmannsdorf, Sankt Georgen and Sankt Kathrein Am Offenegg.

FAQ

Which hiking trails lead through Breitenau?

Hiking Trail 753 leads from Mariatrost to Buchberg and through Breitenau. In addition, the Buchberg–Breitenau Trail runs partly through Breitenau, the 100,000 Steps trail follows a downhill section, and the Schöcklblick Tour subsequently descends through the town.

How long is the Raab Gorge?

The Raab Gorge is more than 10 kilometers long.

What should be taken into account on the 100,000 Steps trail?

The marked trail leads through Breitenau on a downhill section. This route may be relevant when planning your day.

Which historical destinations are part of the stay?

The Loreto Chapel and Gutenberg Castle are two historical points of interest. The chapel stands on elevated ground to the west above the castle and is connected to it by an avenue.

What does the Stenzengreith Theme Trail offer?

The theme trail follows a romantic wild stream through the so-called Mühlgraben. There is a place to rest at a small waterfall.

For the overall travel overview: Weiz.