Stenzengreith: Themed Trail, Raab Gorge and Cultural Heritage

The Stenzengreith themed trail leads through forests, pastures and orchards, and along the Kleinsemmering stream. The history of Gutenberg Castle, the Loreto Chapel and the water-powered mills in Mühlgraben also gives the village a range of cultural connections. If you are looking for accommodation, you can plan your stay around whether you are most interested in the landscape and trail or in the history of the buildings and village.

Themed trail through the landscape

Forests, pastures and orchards shape the landscape through which the Stenzengreith themed trail runs. The trail also follows the Kleinsemmering stream.

At the start of the trail, near the Kreuzwirt in Stenzengreith, a large panoramic information board explains the details. Also near the Kreuzwirt, the trail offers panoramic views over the Weiz area. The board and the viewpoint are two different points of orientation: one focuses on information, while the other offers a broad view across the landscape.

After the Bockhof, the trail reaches a small waterfall. The Stenzengreith themed trail also continues to the village chapel in Breitenfeld. These points add specific destinations along the trail to its sections through forests, pastures and orchards. The themed trail was revised and extended in 2017.

Gutenberg Castle and the Loreto Chapel

Gutenberg Castle was built from 1184 on a rock that projects into the Raab Gorge. From 1567, Hans von Stubenberg had the castle extensively remodelled in the Renaissance style. The start of construction and the later major remodelling thus represent different periods in the castle’s history.

The Loreto Chapel stands above Gutenberg Castle to the west and is connected to it by an avenue. From 1691, Sigmund von Stubenberg had it built as a sign of Catholicism. The years 1184, 1567 and 1691 illustrate the sequence of construction: first came the castle, then its Renaissance remodelling, and later the chapel.

The mills in Mühlgraben are also part of local history: until 70 years ago, numerous water-powered stone mills clattered there. This detail draws attention to a different aspect of the past from the architectural history of the castle and chapel.

The Raab Gorge within the municipality

In the municipality of Gutenberg, to which Stenzengreith belongs, the Great Raab Gorge is over ten kilometres long and offers visitors a hiking experience. The gorge has been a nature reserve since 1970. Since 2006, it has also been an EU Natura 2000 protected area under the Habitats and Birds Directives.

Farm shop and regional products

The Schöckl farm shop run by the Sauseng and Schiegl families is located at 8061 Stenzengreith. A vending machine offering pasta, eggs, liqueurs, juices and honey, however, is at the valley station of the Schöckl cable car in St. Radegund. The two listings therefore refer to different locations.

Choose accommodation to suit your interests

The themed trail offers landscape views and named stops such as the panoramic information board and waterfall. Gutenberg Castle, the Loreto Chapel and the former stone mills offer a look at the region’s cultural history. This distinction can help you plan your trip around your interests, without combining nature and culture into a single excursion destination.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Rettenegg, Sankt Georgen, Markt Hartmannsdorf, Fischbach, Plenzengreith, Anger, Sankt Kathrein Am Offenegg.

View the overview of the wider region: Weiz.