Top Running Trails in Graz: A Guide
Graz, Austria, is a city that caters to runners of all abilities, offering a diverse range of running routes that vary in difficulty and scenic beauty. Whether you're a beginner looking for an easy urban park run or an experienced athlete seeking challenging mountainous terrain, Graz has something for everyone.
Easy & Family-Friendly Routes
For those just starting out or looking for a leisurely run, the city parks of Graz provide well-maintained paths suitable for beginners and recreational athletes. The Stadtpark, Augarten, and Schlossberg offer open spaces, fitness equipment, and shaded areas, making them ideal for easy runs or jogging with children and pets (dogs usually allowed on leads).
Intermediate Routes
Runners seeking a moderate challenge can explore the running trails around Bezirk Graz-Umgebung. These include scenic loops such as runs around Etscherlgraben or Antonienhöhe, with distances typically between 4.8 to 8.8 miles (about 7.7 to 14.2 km). These trail runs provide a moderate challenge suitable for intermediate runners looking to explore nature just outside Graz.
Expert / Difficult Routes
For experienced runners seeking challenging terrain, expert-level trails around Graz and the Styrian countryside offer longer distances (6.7 to 9.5 miles or 10.8 to 15.3 km) with significant elevation changes. These may include routes explored by extreme sports athletes, such as parts of the Austria eXtreme Triathlon course, which covers a mix of river meadows and alpine terrain with steep climbs and technical sections.
Notable Routes and Events
The Lineckberg running route is a nature-based route with challenging paths and climbs. For a short but steep and rewarding climb, the Schlossberg area offers historical sights in addition to trails. The Power Plant Round running route, well-signposted and flat, is easily reachable by S1 from the main station and offers a 5.8 km route.
The Murradweg running trail, starting near the Kepler Bridge, allows you to run as far as you wish, with a predominantly paved path. The Leechwald running trail, a challenging 21km route with many meters of elevation gain, offers stunning views. A shorter 9.5km trail is also available.
Running events in Graz include the Grazathlon, a running event with more than 10 km and 20 obstacles, which starts in early summer. The Graz Marathon offers options for 42.195 km, with options for half and quarter marathons as well. The Graz Half Marathon offers options of 21.1 km, 10.55 km, and 5.25 km in the spring.
For a unique New Year's Eve experience, the WOCHE New Year's Eve Run Graz offers options of 5 and 10 km runs, while the Graz New Year's Eve Run is a 5 km run through the city center that ends with fireworks at the city park. The Eggenberg Bath Run is a demanding 21km route that shows you two baths in Graz, accessible by line 1 or bus 32.
Finally, for a quick run before a lecture or to end the day with exercise, the Schloßberg offers a short 2.1km route located in the center of Graz. The Straßgang Loop, a 5.7km easy difficulty running trail in Bad Straßgang, is accessible by buses 32 or 62. The Graz City Run Route is a 15km medium difficulty running route that runs through Graz itself, starting and ending at the Augartensteg.
For route details and user feedback, online platforms like Komoot are recommended resources. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, Graz's diverse running routes and events offer something for everyone. So lace up your running shoes and explore the beautiful city of Graz!
Here are two sentences that incorporate the given words:
- For those interested in combining their love for home-and-garden activities with sports, Graz's Stadtpark or Augarten offer pleasant running routes, offering a glimpse of well-maintained green spaces and landscapes that are reminiscent of a home-and-garden setup.
- After a day of exploring Graz's diverse running routes, one can unwind and unwind by immersing themselves in a lifestyle that combines sports and relaxation, such as a leisurely stroll through home-and-garden stores or a session at a sports spa.
