The Grabenland Trail starts in Fernitz, south of Graz, and is laid out as a 130-kilometre loop: it leads to the Slovenian border and then back north. If you want to plan your hike around a specific walking time, the Fernitz–Allerheiligen section of the Josef-Krainer-Weg takes about three and a half hours. A long-distance loop and a section with a stated time frame offer different scales for planning. The Josef-Krainer-Weg is accessible year-round; check the trail markings and conditions locally.
Hiking between Fernitzberg and Gnaning
The Grabenland Trail runs from Fernitz uphill along field and forest paths towards Fernitzberg and on to the chapel in Gnaning. The marked routes on the ascent include the Grazer Umlandweg (GUW), the GU-SĂśD-Rundwanderweg (GSR) and hiking trail 792. Trail numbers 790, 791 and 792 help with navigation on the Grabenland Trail. If you are navigating by trail numbers or markings, check the current signs locally.
In fine weather, the section towards Fernitzberg offers views of the Mur Valley and the Bachern Mountains in Slovenia, the south-easternmost foothills of the Central Alps. The weather caveat is important for the views. Nearby, Gnaning is about a 30-minute walk from Fernitz; from there, you can enjoy views of the Graz Basin.
Chapels and religious traditions
Nearby, the GU-SĂĽd-Rundwanderweg, the Grabenland Trail, the Josef-Krainer-Weg and the Grazer-Umland-Weg pass the Gnaning Dorf Chapel. The village chapel in Gnaning was built in 1820 by the landowner at the time as a votive chapel. It was used primarily for Marian devotions, not as a chapel for Mass. The Gnaning village community holds a traditional festival at the chapel every two years. If you would like to travel to Fernitz for it, check the date in advance.
In the host municipality of Fernitz-Mellach, a pilgrimage takes place at Fernitz Parish Church on the 13th of every month. For information about trained guides at the parish church, contact the parish office on 03135 55400. This makes it possible to include the different religious sites in the municipality and surrounding area in your plans.
Farmers’ market and cycle routes
The Fernitz farmers’ market is held in the host municipality of Fernitz-Mellach every Friday from 14:00 to 17:00 at Fernitz Church Square. It offers fresh farm specialities produced locally. Check the market date before you arrive if you want to make it a fixed part of your stay.
There is also a connection to the regional route network for cyclists: in Fernitz-Mellach, there are direct links to the Mur Cycle Path, the Ferbersbach Cycle Path and the Mellacher Höhenradweg. Check the current signs locally. This lets you plan around the hiking routes described and the cycle network without presuming a particular route or stage.
Discover more destinations: Rein, Kleinstübing, Neudorf, Tobelbad, Hausmannstätten, Sankt Bartholomä, Dobl, Seiersberg
For the higher-level travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.
