Sankt Lambrecht combines nature trails and monastic history, each with its own distinct character. The trail through the gorge crosses steps and bridges to a meadow with a viewpoint; the collections of the Abbey Museum offer insight into the history of the Benedictine Abbey. There are also alpine hikes, a challenging mountain bike trail and experiences by the ponds. When planning your trip, you can start by choosing between hiking, pilgrimage routes and culture rather than trying to fit everything into a single day.
Hiking and Pilgrimage
The gorge in Sankt Lambrecht is a designated natural monument. The trail through it crosses steps and bridges to a meadow with a viewpoint. The Grebenzen Heights offer a different kind of scenery: their colourful alpine pastures lie in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park and are ideal for hiking. The Grebenzen Heights summer lift takes visitors to green alpine meadows and easily accessible peaks, where hiking and mountain biking are possible. As the summer lift operates seasonally, check the timetable before planning your trip. Mariahof-St. Lambrecht railway station is 8 kilometres from the Grebenzen valley station.
The two hiking trails can be distinguished by their starting points and destinations. The St. Lambrecht circular hiking trail starts and ends at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht. From Sankt Lambrecht, an easy-to-walk trail follows artistically designed Stations of the Cross created by local artist Anna Heck to the pilgrimage church of Maria Schönanger. The church is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park. The abbey is the starting and finishing point of the circular trail; the other route leads to a named destination.
Ponds and Outdoor Activities
Podolerteich lies in the middle of the forest in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, at an elevation of 1,050 metres. It is freely accessible at any time until 31 December 2026. From the car park, an approximately five-minute walk through the forest leads to the pond. Weirerteich has a bathing jetty and a sunbathing lawn. St. Lambrecht outdoor swimming pool has a pool for adults, a children's pool with toys, and a playground with a climbing tower, swing and carousel.
Mountain bikers can take on a challenge of their own on the Kärntner Grenztrail: The trail is just under two kilometres long, is challenging and follows the Styria–Carinthia border to Auerlingsee. From there, the route returns to Sankt Lambrecht along the valley floor. The route length and return journey are clearly defined; the Grebenzen Heights, in turn, are described as a place for hiking and mountain biking.
Abbey History and Further Discoveries
The Abbey Museum’s collections offer insight into the Benedictine Abbey’s 950-year history. St. Peter’s Church reveals another side of the complex: it is a Gothic church located within St. Lambrecht Abbey. The St. Lambrecht Abbey Garden covers 3.5 hectares. It was laid out in the mid-17th century to plans by Hans Strudl, court gardener at Admont, and the abbey’s master builder, Domenico Sciassia. The museum, church and garden therefore each highlight a different aspect of history, architecture and garden design.
Nature and wildlife offer further points of interest: The “Wildlife & Habitat” exhibition introduces native wild animals and explains the connections between the animals and their habitats. Guided tours at Wallner Ostrich Farm offer insights into the lives and rearing of ostriches. You can also learn how cosmetics are made at a farm-based cosmetics course.
Discover more destinations: Teufenbach, Katsch an der Mur, Sankt Ruprecht Ob Murau, Mühlen, Schöder, Sankt Blasen, Krakauschatten, Zeutschach.
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