Stage 07 Mur Cycle Path Leibnitz - Bad Radkersburg

To begin our final stage on the Mur Cycle Path in Austria, we first return to the Mur Cycle Path. To do this, we circle south of the town of Leibnitz on the Römer Cycle Path, which brings us back to the Mur at the Flavia Solva Roman Museum. Here we also switch to the left bank of the Mur. Soon we reach an enchanting floodplain landscape, which we particularly appreciate in spring when it is in bloom and in summer when it provides shade. At Ehrenhausen, with its Genussregal deli on the opposite side of the Mur and easily accessible via a bridge, we leave the forest again at the aforementioned Mur bridge. Our route continues along the banks of the Mur from Ehrenhausen. There are no orientation difficulties, and the route is particularly easy to cycle as we ride through quiet, secluded landscapes. A green floodplain forest accompanies and enchants us. Soon we come to another castle. This time it is Spielfeld Castle, which rises majestically from the floodplain forest. The building, which suffered severe damage during the turmoil of the Second World War, has been brought back to life since 1987 thanks to an initiative.

The route continues through the Murauen Natura 2000 conservation area to Mureck. On the way to Mureck, we pass another special feature: at Weitersfeld, one of Austria's last roller ferries takes passengers to Slovenia and back. The roll-on roll-off ferry is particularly popular with cyclists holidaying in the Bad Radkersburg cycling region, as there is a cycle path on both sides of the Mur to this city. But be careful: don't forget your passport on this tour!

When we arrive in Mureck, we notice something: Mureck, like Wildon, which we remember fondly, is a real street village. Unlike in a market town, the houses face the road with their long sides rather than their gables. And, also in Mureck, the next absolute must-see awaits us: a visit to the Mureck Ship Mill. Easy to find, it has sure been delighting all Murradweg cyclists for many years. The signage to the ship mill and back to the Murradweg is excellent.

Via Misselsdorf, we now pass the climate protection garden and the so-called Hummelparadies, a bumblebee-paradise, on our way to Lake Röcksee. It's worth lingering here for a while and jumping into the lake before we make our final push on the Austrian side. Through a beautiful riparian forest, which sometimes surprises us with a few bends, we make our way to the new Mur Tower. The enormous steel structure is 30 metres high. Its shape is that of DNA, the basis of all life. After climbing the tower and enjoying the view, we get back on our bikes and cycle on, alternating between the floodplain forest and fields lined with oil pumpkins and corn, to Halbenrain with its enchanting Käferbohnenkabinett (beetle bean cabinet). Are you familiar with Styrian beetle beans as a sweet temptation? The lovingly furnished ‘more-than-just-a-museum’ uses film and photographic material to show the seasonal development of the bean from cultivation and refinement to culinary processing.

If we have time, it is worth making a detour to Klöch with its wine shop and adjoining wine museum. This small, charming wine village is located 290 metres above sea level, on a volcanic cone. The journey there takes us along quiet country roads, but beauty has to be earned, and there are a few climbs waiting for us. We have two options: one route leads south of the mountain to Klöch, which is slightly shorter, but the northern route has less strenuous climbs in store for us. Whichever route we choose, it's worth stopping afterwards for a glass of the famous Traminer wine from the Klöcher Weinstraße.

Those of you who have decided to continue on from Halbenrain to Bad Radkersburg only have a few kilometres left to Bad Radkersburg, where our seven-day tour through the most beautiful areas ends. Now we have earned a coffee, an ice cream, or whatever treat we desire, even a visit to the Parktherme spa. Or a good glass of wine, and let the many stops, beautiful pictures, alpine pastures, fields and people we have met pass before our mind's eye once again and review them. Let us remember the friendliness and warmth of the people from Steiermark, the new ‘friend’ we have gained, the Mur river which has accompanied us faithfully, Sometimes discreetly invisible, sometimes right by our side.