Graßnitz lies east of Aflenz at the foot of the Schießling. Its location offers two clear reference points: Aflenz and the mountain. Graßnitz is home to Austria’s only satellite earth station, while hikes to the Schießling and Schießlingalm are the main scenic attraction. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether architecture and technology or trails through the mountain landscape should shape your trip.

Satellite Earth Station and Landscape

Designed by Gustav Peichl, the Aflenz satellite earth station building is almost invisibly integrated into the landscape. This discreet integration makes the relationship between architecture and landscape a subject in its own right. For travellers who also want to view technical facilities from an architectural perspective, it is a distinctive local landmark. The visitor room at the Aflenz satellite earth station features a free multimedia show lasting three minutes. Its short duration makes it a clearly defined activity that you can fit into your day’s plans. The building and the show offer two different ways to experience the satellite earth station: through its design and through a short multimedia format.

Trails to the Satellite Earth Station

The Zoag ma wos trail passes through woodland and by scenic viewpoints before reaching the Aflenz satellite earth station in Graßnitz. The route thus combines features of the landscape along the way with a clearly named destination. A circular hike starts at the Grassnitz earth station car park near Aflenz. This gives you information both about the route to the satellite earth station and a specific starting point for a loop. If you plan hikes by their starting or ending point, these details help you plan the local options clearly.

Schießling and Schießlingalm

A circular hike leads over the 1,667-metre-high Schießling to the Schießlingalm. The alpine inn is at an altitude of 1,484 metres. The elevation figures bring the route to life: it crosses the higher mountain before reaching a lower-lying destination. The alpine inn is also accessible from Graßnitz via hiking trail No. 863; trail conditions may vary. Take this into account when planning your hike. The alpine inn serves Styrian specialities, although its offerings may change. If stopping for a meal is important to you, check the latest information before setting out.

Another Local Heritage Site

At Graßnitz 29, a wayside shrine is one of the protected monuments. It adds a smaller local heritage feature alongside the technical architecture. Graßnitz therefore offers cultural points of interest as well as hiking trails, differing in scale and character: the satellite earth station as a technical facility and the wayside shrine as a protected monument.

The options for planning your day differ mainly in their focus: the satellite earth station combines architecture and technology, the Zoag ma wos trail passes through woodland to scenic viewpoints, and the hike over the Schießling ends at the Schießlingalm. Consider whether you would rather include a short multimedia experience, a route with scenic highlights or the alpine inn in your trip.

Discover more destinations: Tragöß, Aflenz Kurort, Sankt Sebastian, Turnau, Mariazell, Sankt Lorenzen im Mürztal, Oberaich, Kapfenberg.

For the overview of the wider area: Bruck An Der Mur.