Sustainable travel: Is it even possible? “It’s the talk of town, everybody wants to do it, but often we don’t know how it works”, the website of the city of Graz sums up the dilemma of many travellers.
As a regular, mostly public traveller in Graz, I can say that the people of Graz know very well “how to do it” 😉 and also work on having tourism in and around Graz contribute to its sustainable development goals.
The promise of being able to travel around Graz and the Graz Region as sustainably as possible holds true, I believe. According to the motto, “From city to country in 10 minutes”, I’ve followed my bike & hike guide Heinz in even less than 10 minutes to get from the city centre of Graz to the countryside.
Let’s leave town: Heinz and I follow the Mur cycle path to the Geidorf district just outside the main city centre of Graz. It promises lots of beautiful greenery, perfectly shady during summertime.
Graz during summer: Evening walk up the Schlossberg Hill and to the Graz Clock Tower.
When I arrive in Graz, it is well over 30C. Only in the evening, after 10pm, does it finally get a little cooler. Maybe that’s due to the ice cream I treat myself to after my nightly walk up the Schlossberg Hill in Graz!
On this summer evening, Graz is a hive of activity. Many young people are out and about, laughing and celebrating life – on the streets and squares of the city or directly on the banks of the river Mur. I get carried along, and once again enjoy the southern flair of Graz I like so much …
The Sporgasse down to Hauptplatz is one of the most popular streets in the old town of Graz …
… from my Hotel Das Weitzer, I get this perfect view of the Schlossberg Hill …
… where nighttime discoveries lead me to new perspectives on the Graz Clock Tower …
… afterwards, it’s time for a late-night ice cream in Graz, and why not?
“From city to country in 10 minutes”: Taking our e-bikes from the main station to Graz Schöckl Mountain.
The next morning I get up early: My Bike & Hike Guide Heinz has already announced himself in the hotel lobby before 8.00 a.m.! Together we cycle or rather ride by public transport to Graz main station; there the practical Radstation Graz awaits us with an e-bike rental service, helmet and bike lock included.
The e-bike tour, Heinz explains to me, will run for about 35-40 kilometres, plus a few kilometres of hiking on Graz local Schöckl Mountain. We shorten the overall trip with an ascent to the summit of the Schöckl by cable car. Doing so, we can spend more time at the hut during lunch. In my opinion, this really justifies the laid-back element of the Bike & Hike Tour!
Let’s go: The start of our Bike & Hike tour is the Graz Bike Station right by the main railway station in Graz.
Only a few kilometres later, we are blessed with magnificent views like these in the direction of the Schöckl Mountain.
Hello, cows near the small town of St. Radegund.
Many separate little trails run past here …
… and do check out the local “Kalvarienberg” (Passion Hill) when stopping in St. Radegund.
At the Schöckl Valley Station, we may charge our e-bikes yet again …
… before taking the cable car up to the top.
Hike at Graz Schöckl Mountain: Barrier-free access from the east to the west summit and on to Johann Waller Hut.
The Schöckl itself is 1,500 metres high and has a correspondingly alpine feel to its terrain. Such a pleasant surprise to escape the busy city centre on to such a huge mountain plateau, offering an immense 360° panoramic view.
From the summit plateau, we walk just under an hour to reach the energy self-sufficient Johann Waller Hut, our lunch stop. From there, it’s another hour to get back to the Schöckl valley station. Altogether, despite the comfort offered by our e-bikes when climbing altitudes, I recommend at least an intermediate level of fitness to make this day trip an enjoyable one – especially in such hot temperatures as we had.
Check this out.
Summit victory: Heinz and I on the west summit of Graz famous Schöckl Mountain, with a fantastic view over the rest of Styria.
Signs will point you in all the right directions …
… and have you access the entire summit plateau along wooden trails with handrails.
The view towards the Johann Waller hut, hidden in the forest below …
… due to its energy management, it’s the perfect lunch stop when exploring the Schöckl Mountain in (sustainable) style!
My conclusion: The Bike & Hike tour is an ideal way to experience Graz and the Graz Region in a completely different manner. It complements a stay of several days in the city with the opportunity to literally change perspectives. I will definitely remember the Schöckl with its magnificent panorama and gentle paths.
Check out all further travel photos from my days exploring the Graz Region here:
Disclaimer: I have been invited by the Graz Region on this trip to visit Graz. All opinions are my own.