Carinthia's longest reservoir is primarily a fishing paradise, but stand-up paddlers are also quickly enchanted by the relaxing ambience. Small islands and dense forests allow paddlers to enjoy forest bathing on the water, so to speak.

General information

• KärntenCard
• Southern Carinthia tourist information
• Völkermarkt Reservoir Wikipedia
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Along the tour you paddle entirely without any significant infrastructure. Treat the habitat of animals and plants with respect and take any rubbish with you! Don't get in the way of the fishermen and get out of the way of their lines early enough! Give priority to boats!

Dangers and risks

There are slipways at both harbors which are ideal for landing or boarding. However, caution is advised due to the risk of slipping.

Fishing lines and fishing boats are part of everyday life on the reservoir. Always keep an eye out for both!

Occasional driftwood could get stuck on the fins and act as a brake, but it is very unlikely.

Directions

To the rest area at the reservoir bridge: Coming from the east or west, take the A2 southern motorway exit at Völkermarkt West and take the Packerstraße/B70 road 3.4 km east towards the small town of Völkermarkt. At the junction to Völkermarkt, however, you drive straight ahead through the tunnel and are now on the B82. Follow it through the tunnel and along a sharp right-hand bend to the rest area by the reservoir bridge. The rest area branches off to the right shortly before the reservoir bridge and offers some public parking spaces.

To the Dullach/Edling boat harbor: Coming from the east or west, take the A2 southern motorway exit at Völkermarkt West and take the Packerstraße/B70 road 3.4 km east towards the small town of Völkermarkt. At the junction to Völkermarkt, turn left and continue straight through the small town. After 5 km, turn right twice in a row at Dürrenmoos (towards Bleiburg, Lavamünd) and follow the road for 5.8 km to the south. 280 m after the campsite by the reservoir, a small and inconspicuous path leads down to the right and to the boat harbor.

Getting to both spots via public transport is impractical as both fishing ports are not served and long walks are therefore to be expected.

Parking

At the small harbor by the Völkermarkt Reservoir bridge (Völkermartker Stauseebrücke) there are only a few public parking spaces, behind which lies the area of the fishing port. If everything is parked up front, please ask the fishermen if you can park your car in their area as an exception. In our experience, there shouldn't be any difficulties getting a nod.

The harbor in Dullach has more free parking spaces, but it can be easy to miss. The narrow road to the harbor is signposted, but it's easy to drive past if you don't know the area.

Swimming

The reservoir is not a typical bathing lake, but the water on the river in the area of the reservoir is relatively warm and measures up to 25° C in summer. You can still find reasonably pleasant water temperatures even in October, when late summer was warm. If you really want to get into the water from your SUP or from the shore, you should still be careful and swim away from possible boats and fishing lines.

If that's not convincing, then you can switch to a lot of great swimming lakes south of the reservoir. Lake Klopeinesee, for example, is one of the warmest swimming lakes in the country and is a true holiday paradise in summer. Around it there are also the lakes Turnersee, Sonnegger See and Gösselsdorfer See.

Tour

From the harbor at the Völkermarkter reservoir bridge to the Dullach boat harbor near Edling close to the Edling power plant.

Length

7.8 km

Time

2 – 2.5 hours

Start and landing

Start: At the harbor at the Völkermark reservoir bridge.

Landing: At the harbor in Dullach near the power plant.

SUP rental

Draupaddelweg
Dahlienweg 14, 9161 Maria Rain
Phone +43 (0)463 2032 30100

Forest bathing on the water

The Völkermarkt Reservoir is a popular destination in Lower Carinthia, especially for fishermen, but it also is an excellent paddling area even in autumn. The history of the reservoir began at the beginning of the 1960s, when the Drava River was dammed to build a power plant. Since then, the over 20 km long artificial lake has been one of the three largest lakes in the state and is not only considered an extensive local recreation area. In addition to fishermen - due to its biodiversity - ornithologists have also discovered the region for themselves. The local rowing sports center also made the lake known as a water sports area because their athletes find optimal training conditions here on the calm water.

The conditions - more precisely the weather conditions - are also the reason why we tackle this tour from the main basin to the eastern basin ahead of its time. The possibly last late-summer-like October days of the year are likely to end tomorrow with heavy rain, and so we decide to clear out our busy schedule in order to set sail a day earlier than planned. As a paddler you just have to set priorities!

Of course you can easily complete the eastern part of the reservoir in a circular route, but we opt for a one-way trip from the Völkermarkt Reservoir bridge to the end of the lake at the small Dullach boat harbor near the dam. It's easy to shuttle with two cars, especially since both ends of this tour also offer free parking. If all lots at the Völkermarkt reservoir bridge are occupied, simply ask the local fishermen if you can park your car on their turf - this was possible for us without any problems.

The first view over the water stops at the bridge, which somehow looks completely different than other bridges in this country. Childhood memories of Florida's bridges to Key West flash through my mind. It's a bit far-fetched, but you can't deny a certain similarity to this relatively low-lying bridge over the Drava River.

There is a flat access to the water at the slipway, but it's best to get into the water next to the ramp to avoid slipping. Since the northern side of the reservoir is filled up in some places, we paddle under the bridge towards the south bank. Here there is no longer any risk of getting stuck in the clay, like old trees that sometimes stay flat in the water for months because branches have gotten caught in the shallow ground. There is no current to be expected here, and any waves from small motorboats can be ignored with a smirk.

Paddlers rarely come here all year round, either because they don't know that it's comfortable to paddle here or because they respect the slightly cooler river water. To be fair, even in October the temperature can still reach an estimated 17°C if summer takes a nice extra turn. In addition, the entire reservoir is relatively protected from the wind and therefore easy to paddle even for SUP beginners.

On the wooded southern bank you can immediately smell the woody forest air and enjoy the view up to the small town of Völkermarkt. Although there are many small harbors and boat launches along the entire reservoir, the water is by no means overrun with boats. The gentle wakes of the fishing boats that occasionally leisurely pass by are also a nice change from what feels like still water. We only meet one canoeist along our tour. As I said – even in summer there are hardly any paddlers here.

This is good for us and probably also good for the flora and fauna. Fishermen can expect to catch up to thirty fish per hectare of water, which is quite impressive. What really impresses us, however, is the isolation that you can enjoy here. Things get quieter, especially after about 1.5 km, when you paddle around the bend of the main basin to the right and towards the eastern basin.

Here the forests on both banks reach down to the water and small islands invite you to land. While the October sun provides an orange color filter to the afternoon and thus also to nature, I marvel at the trees that were uprooted like toothpicks during a storm in August. Even months later, the power of nature can be seen everywhere on the banks, as they have been littered with tree trunks lying across them or have been reduced to partly bare slopes. It is precisely because of this wildness that the landscape around the reservoir is so interesting and not at all depressing. After all, nature always finds a way to renew itself if humans don't arrogantly interfere.

Relics of the storm in question keep floating in the water, so we have to avoid the driftwood every now and then. There is even a bench on one of the islands and, despite its steep terrain, it can be easily climbed from the south. We accept this offer and treat ourselves to a break with a view over the lake, which leads into its eastern basin on the left in front of us. On the way there we meet a few fishing boats that are probably chugging back to home base after a good catch.

The weather report seems to be accurate, because more and more clouds are moving into the country from the west and so we paddle the last few kilometers through the eastern basin to the harbor near Dullach under relatively gray skies. Although we are approaching the power plant, there is no current to be felt here and so a little later we glide relaxed to the bank where our shuttle car is already waitng.

This extremely entertaining tour may end the warm paddling season and leaves us wanting more. Of course, we also have to explore the reservoir to the west. But that probably won't happen until next year. First we enjoy our beer at the harbor and with interest follow the small talk of the fishermen at the next table.

Alternatives: If you haven't had enough yet, you can get back on the river behind the Edling power plant and continue paddling another 16 km to the next power plant or even to Lavamünd before the Slovenian border. A large part of this section has already been featured on SUP Atlas. A circuit back to the reservoir bridge can also be easily completed due to the lack of current. In that case expect twice the distance and paddling time.

You can find many other SUP tours on Carinthian lakes in the SUP Guide Carinthia.

The post Völkermarkt Reservoir (eastern basin) first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

Near Trboje, south of Kranj, Slovenia's longest river backs up almost unnoticed and, due to its wooded banks, forms a rather obscure reservoir, which is a real SUP insider tip for non-residents.   

General information

• Kranj tourist information
• Save Wikipedia
• Lake Trboje Wikipedia
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Most of the time you are alone on the water here anyway. If this is not the case, please avoid fishermen and their boats and keep a safe distance from swimmers. Also keep enough distance from the power plant!

Dangers and risks

The staircase from the parking lot to the reservoir is a little winding and steep. With the inflated iSUP or hardboard you should be particularly careful not to hit anything and damage either the board or the building. There is also a risk of stumbling in sandals if you are careless. It's best to inflate the iSUP down by the lake.

Inflating next to the street could be dangerous if there are too many cars parked and there is little space between the parking area and the street. If in doubt, get everything ready for use at the parking lot in front of the sports field on the opposite side of the street or down by the lake.

Depending on the water level, the few entry points along the publicly accessible bank can also be clayey or steep. Here too, special caution is required.

Leaves, branches and small driftwood can accumulate on the lake and therefore float on the surface of the water. It could get stuck on the fins and slow you down.

Of course, you should always avoid the power plant as a potential danger zone and it is therefore best to turn around 50 m before it.

Directions

Coming from Kranj, it is best to keep to the left of the Sava and first take Svaska cesta road towards the southeast until it leads into Cesta 1. maja street in a left-hand bend. At the intersection turn right and continue straight ahead on Cesta 1. maja for five kilometers until you arrive at the parking lot above the reservoir and in front of the bar Čolnarna Trboje. There are a few speed cameras along this short route several meters high and aimed at the cars from above, making them easy to miss.

Parking

There are parking spaces on both sides of the road. On the left side you'll find a parking lot in front of the sports field with a little more space, on the right side of the road there is the parking lot of the bar with relatively little distance from the road. If possible, you should park in front of the sports field.

Swimming

The lake naturally carries the river water of the Sava and is therefore slightly cooler than normal bathing lakes. However, in midsummer it is quite pleasant, but you should also expect that on certain days the water surface will be heavily covered with leaves and branches, as the lake is completely still and shows almost no water movement. This promotes deposits on the water. In any case, there is also an optimal infrastructure around the bar for swimming, because in addition to the SUP rental, there is also a lawn and enough shade.

Tour

Leave from the bar on the bank either to the left or to the right and paddle along the entire bank until you reach the starting point again.

Length

4.8 km

Time

50 - 70 minutes

Start and landing

On the bank around the bar or at the SUP rental jetty.

SUP rental

Superb Center (SUP center Trboje)
Trboje 1a, 4000 Kranj
Phone +386 (0)69 670 769

Paddling between churches, goosanders and seagulls

The Trboje Reservoir (also called Lake Mavčiče) owes its existence to the Mavčiče hydroelectric power station, which was commissioned in 1987. Just a few kilometers south of Kranj, every SUP beginner can comfortably paddle along the emerald green waters of the Sava which is otherwise only reserved for experienced river paddlers. However, due to the hidden location of the reservoir, not too many paddlers get lost here, as all the banks are heavily overgrown and lie invisibly deep beneath the passing roads.

This isolation of course makes the lake interesting because apart from the surrounding private properties, there is actually only one official public access to the lake. It offers a nice bar and a SUP rental. If you can't find a free space on the parking lot along the side of the road, you can simply move to the opposite parking lot next to the sports field.

If you still have your SUP packed in your board bag, you should shoulder it and pump everything up at the water's edge, because the descent over two stairs and past the house is steep and sometimes narrow. It's best not to go down here in sandals or barefoot, because the steps are covered with pebbles. Once you reach the bottom, there is a slightly more extensive section of the bank than you might have expected. Along the almost one hundred meters, paddlers will find entry points into the green-colored reservoir either at the jetty of the SUP rental or at a few other places. However, depending on the water level, there can be a small, sometimes steep, difference in level. The ground along the jetty is also quite clayey - so launch the SUP carefully!

Thanks to the bar and the relaxed background music, there is a pleasant atmosphere here and this also beautifully reflects the sleepy calm by the water. And as is the case with a reservoir - the water barely moves. That's why leaves and small driftwood are often scattered in the still water along the banks. Normally such small bodies of water and short paddling tours aren't my thing, but this hidden tear-shaped bulge along the Sava piqued my interest.shore there isn't much to see here. However, you are surrounded by four churches in a small area of around one km². So, anyone who paddles this reservoir cannot claim to have been abandoned by all good spirits.

I had expected at least a little current towards the power plant, but I initially paddled to the right aka the Sava tributary from the north without any current. Apart from a a private house between the trees and a few rowing boats, some of which are half-sunken, lying on the

You can also easily paddle the Sava upstream from here. Gregor and his team from the SUP rental often lead tours to the Zarica gorge and further to Kranj. I'll reserve that for my next trip to this region and instead point my board in the opposite direction.

On the west bank only one fisherman shares the reservoir with me, while in the middle of the water dozens of seagulls and goosanders are obviously taking advantage of the hot midday sun for a siesta. The western bank forms a pointed protrusion on its right-hand bend, behind which there is a small pub, befindet. Selbst dieses kann ich aufgrund der dichten Vegetation hier nicht ausmachen und paddle dem Ort Mavčiče und der Staumauer entgegen. Hier liegen wieder etliche kleine Hindernisse im Wasser und so kommt es, dass sich einige Äste an meiner Finne verhaken und meine Paddelzüge anständig bremsen.

Shortly before the power plant I pass some weeping willows, which I immediately notice because they don't fit in with the rest of the flora. Although there are a few decent access points here, they all appear to be on private land. Apart from that, it would hardly be possible to park along the road because it is too narrow and connects seamlessly to private gardens.

Just in time before the power plant, I turn left and start my way back along the wooded eastern bank. Shortly afterwards there is a small ungrown area on the east bank, which could possibly also serve as a tour entrance and exit as it is on a gravel path. However, it is unclear to me whether you are allowed to drive and park here if you do not live here or are involved in farming.

Philosophizing about it is a waste of time anyway, so I continue paddling, enjoying the overwhelming view of the Karavanks. I approach a steep stone wall in front of me. It rises up an estimated 10 m, where a number of trees, including their roots, are standing quite freely in the air. Earth and rock masses must have crashed and fallen into the water several times.

From here my exit point at the Čolnarna Trboje bar is already clearly visible and so I sprint the remaining half kilometer of my circumnavigation of the reservoir towards the public lake access in order to enjoy a little workout. When I reach the shore, my sweaty body is crying out for some cooling because with the air temperature at 31° C, no one stays dry for long. I then drive to Kranj for a hearty lunch and treat myself to my standard Slovenian menu at Das ist Valter Šopska Salad, Pljeskavica and a cold beer. As always, Slovenia is a delight – both on water and in culinary terms.

The post Lake Trboje first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

At the interface between the region of southern Carinthia and the Lavanttal Valley, the Drave offers extraordinary SUP experiences in largely untouched nature. During a bank cleaning you get to know many hidden places of power away from the river's main stream.

General information

• Carinthia Card/ Active Card Southern Carinthia
• Carinthia Wikipedia
• Lavanttal tourist information
• Southern Carinthia tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Along this tour you move throughout the great outdoors almost without any infrastructure in sight. Treat the habitat of animals and plants with respect and take any rubbish with you. Avoid the shallow areas away from the banks or the forests as much as possible or at least enter them as gently as possible.

Dangers and risks

When the locks of the Edling power plant are opened, a higher flow rate must be expected.

Always keep a sufficient distance from the bridge pillars.

To get to the start at the Wölfnitzbach Stream you have to overcome a minimal difference in height on the grassy bank. As it can be a bit slippery depending on the time of day and the weather, enter the water carefully.

Occasionally you can meet fishermen. If you see them, please paddle around their fishing lines early enough.

Take care at the parking lot by the water exit because it is right next to the main road (B 80 – Lavamünder Straße).

Directions

If you are coming from the north or west via the A 2 southern highway (A 2 Südautobahn) you stay on the highway until reaching the little town of Griffen. There you take the Exit 273 and drive towards Lavamünd/Ruden, going along the Lippitzbacher Landesstraße for 5.7 km until it intersects with the B 80 in Ruden. At the crossroads, turn left in the direction of Lavamünd and after 360 m turn right into Lippitzbacher Straße. This leads about 2.5 km along the Wölfnitzbach stream down to the village of Lippitzbach and the entry point on the Drave river.

Parking

Along the Start at the Wölfnitzbach you can park in the area of the bridge or on the bank. It is also possible to park at the exit point on the side of the road (e.g. in the area Lavamünder Strasse 30).

Swimming

In the pent up Drava River you can swim wonderfully along the entire tour and enjoy a refreshing 20° C water temperature until late summer. Only if the locks at the Edling power plant are open and the current is rising, swimming is not recommended. Although the area is heavily forested down to the water, there are many good access points to the river along the way. Or you just jump from the SUP directly into the water.

Not only the Drava invites you to swim, also the lakes Klopeiner See, Turnersee and Gösselsdorfer See are coveted destinations for water lovers and sun worshipers.

There are also a number of smaller pools and bathing lakes, such as the nice bathing lakes in Lavamünd as in St. Andrä and the adventure pool in St Paul.

Tour

From the Wölfnitzbach stream in Lippitzbach to the small boat dock in Wunderstätten.

Length

12 km

Time

3 - 4 hours

Start and landing

Start at the mouth of the Wolfnitzbach Stream with the Drave in Lippitzbach.

Land at the small boat dock in Wunderstätten.

SUP rental

Draupaddelweg
Dahlienweg 14, 9161 Maria Rain
Phone +43 (0)463 2032 30100

Trading metal barrels and car tires for river caves and brookmint carpets

That the Drava River has countless beautiful paddling stages to offer is no longer a secret. However, you only know that it also boasts exotic-looking, hidden places of power and natural monuments after you have paddled between Ruden and Wunderstätten in the Lavanttal Valley. You get to know this area even better if you paddle while going on a bank cleaning tour scanning meter by meter downstream.

To get to the starting point at the mouth of the Wölfnitzbach stream in Lippitzbach, you first drive 2.3 km next to the stream along the narrow Lippitzbacher Strasse down to the Drave. Here you can park your car in the area of the bridge, but of course you have to pick it up here after the tour. In addition to this traffic logistics challenge, a few more disposal logistics challenges await us during the course of the day as soon as we get to the water.

Fortunately, our bank cleaning tour will be supported by the municipalites of Lavamünd and St Paul as well as by the Lavanttal Waste Management Association and the Austrian Water Rescue, so that we get enough garbage bags, work gloves and some food sponsored. In addition, the national television network shows interest and will report on our campaign throughout Austria. After all, a little exemplary effect and awareness in regards of environmental protection can't hurt. Our venture was even picked up by the Viennese artist Peter Schönhard, who painted nice posters, to attract as many paddles as possible.

Not only do we paddlers board our SUPs in the estuary area, but also the water rescue team board their inflatable boat, from which they will be available for nautical emergencies along the entire tour.

At the tour start, the Wölfnitzbach stream falls into the Drave and forms a small estuary in which small amounts of waste have already accumulated. We pick them up right away and then paddle off to the right. Directly in front of and above us we have an imposing natural monument - a meter-high vertical rock face covered in moss protrudes into the river, while water constantly runs down from above and falls into the Drave. So before we find our first big piece of garbage, it's about time for a group photo with a tropical background.

Then we continue paddling upstream and initially find nothing at all, which is a good sign for a garbage collection campaign. However, this should not remain so for long and soon we discover a waste highlight.

From the forest we pull a rusty bin and other smaller metal waste, which we load onto our boards and then paddle back to the entrance to unload the scrap there. After a short television interview, we continue towards Lavamünd.

It is unusual to see the Drave so deeply encircled on this section of the river and to drift between its wooded flanks. The Jörg Haider Bridge, which was renamed in honor of the former governor after his death rises before us. We leisurely paddle by the boats under the bridge and then tilt our heads back - the bridge is 96 meters high measured from the water surface and its echo can be quite impressive. Because there is no inhabited area here either, you can let go a loud call without scaring any residents.

As calm and relaxed as this section of the river is, it almost makes us forget what purpose our paddling tour is actually supposed to serve today, because the banks are absolutely clean and we let ourselves be carried away by the water with relish. The forests reach down to the edge of the shore and coniferous trees repeatedly rise diagonally into the water. Some even grow so strangely that they try to compensate for their sloping position towards the treetops and thus grow curved towards the sky again.

From time to time we pick up some garbage and enjoy the wonderful silence paired with an incredibly picturesque environment. Then one guy in the group discovers something:

On the right bank there is again a slightly higher rock formation, which is heavily forested and offers a narrow cave entrance. However, you can only see it if you paddle very close to the shore and scan it for rubbish with laser eyes. If you paddle in the middle of the river, on the other hand, you will only see the rocks and will probably paddle past them quite unimpressed.

You can glide into the cave on your knees, but unfortunately you will soon reach its end inside. Only a ray of light from the water suggests that you could dive out on the other side - but we are happy to leave that to others.

Although the water temperature is still around twenty degrees in early September, we stay on our boards for a short break in front of the cave. Then we spread out again on both sides of the bank and continue paddling in the direction of the Jauntal Bridge. On the way there, larger and smaller rivulets lead into the river and the dark green aquatic plants reach up to the water surface. Again and again you will find small ponds away from the main stream, which have crystal clear water and reveal an incredible variety of plants.

Under the Jauntal Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in Europe, water mint grows even out of the water and forms large carpets under our boards. Sometimes the water colors go crazy thanks to the different basic sediments and plants, there is a lot of color interplay reaching from green in all shades to blue-green and turquoise. Of course, you can also view this natural beauty from above if you have the courage to bungy jump from the Jauntal Bridge.

We end up in a real fairytale world with our SUP boards, but are grounded again as soon as we paddle past the reed belt after the Jauntal Bridge and can then really start to work. A lot of bottles, styrofoam parts, packaging and even a closed beer can get caught in the reeds.

It is no longer possible to tell how long its content is consumable, but after a little basic cleaning, we dare to try and taste the noble drink. Unfortunately, it is not optimally cooled and would probably do us much better in winter, when picked up in cold water. However, the taste is inconspicuous and the brew can therefore be consumed. The drinkers never had any side effects afterwards, which was probably due to their contactless drinking technique.

This curiosity is later replaced by rather sad finds, such as garbage bags that have grown together in the ground, paint cans and - recovered by the divers of the water rescue service - a sunken boat and a toilet bowl. Once you know where to look, it becomes clear that a one-time rubbish collection campaign is unfortunately not enough, because we could have discovered a lot more in the reeds. In our opinion, it definitely makes more sense to paddle a bit into the reeds for a short time and sometimes damage something in the process than to leave garbage floating in it for years, which affects the water quality and on which the animals living here can also die.

After about five hours our tour ends at the boat dock in the village of Wunderstätten, just before the Schwabeck power plant. The flat exit on the left between the reeds and the footbridge is ideal and you can park a few cars on the main road at the end of the gravel path. After the Lavanttal Waste Management Association picked up the waste, it was of course disposed of properly. Finally we were able to relieve this river section of around 280 kg of garbage which gives us the opportunity to celebrate this small success in the bistro called Laquamuend located near Lavamünd Bathing Lake. With hot dogs and drinks we experience a wonderful sunset and are already planning our next cleaning campaigns with our SUPs.

Alternative: You can also paddle 1.8 km further to the Schwabeck power plant and bypass it on the right. From there the river meanders another six kilometers to the Lavamuend power plant. Or even further, because the Drave is navigable through Slovenia and deep into Croatia.

The post Drau – Von Lippitzbach nach Wunderstätten first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

Adventurous weir transfers and easy whitewater paired with partly deserted river sections - the Mur River between Graz and the Slovenian border has all this and so much more to offer. With enough time and perseverance, you can paddle yourself away from daily stressors while challanging personal limits.

General information

• GuestCard South Styria
• Styria Wikipedia
• South Styria tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Only south of Graz (up to the Gössendorf power station) you can expect water sports enthusiasts and a few bathers around the Auwiesen recreational area. Always give priority!

There are also fishermen along the banks along the entire route, so always make sure not to paddle into a fishing line.

It is best not to enter reed areas and other resting areas for animals.

Dangers and risks

Although the Mur River. was straightened a long time ago and on this river section south of the state capital of Graz it has lost a lot of its naturalness, it makes sense that there are quite a few sources of danger lurking on almost 60 km of river action. This is why this mammoth tour as a whole is only suitable for experienced river paddlers, although many quiet sections of the river away from the weirs pose no challenge, even for beginners.

The eight weirs are tough and usually there are no optimal conditions to get out of the water or back into the water. If boarding is not made easy by stairs, you will have to find a suitable spot yourself. The greater challenge, however, is the re-entry below the power plants, because very often the only way to get to the water is over rocks, scree or sloping banks. Patience, coordination and foresight are extremely important here.

The highlight in this regard is definitely the power plant Mellach, which can only be exited through thickets and has to be portaged 500 to 1500 meters (depending on preference). Here even the short version is nerve-wracking, because you then have to walk/paddle through a badly laid, shallow stream to the water. Especially at the end you have to carefully climb down the stone steps with the SUP in your hand and at the same time withstand the torrent of water from behind - not for the faint of heart. For this reason alone, it is a must to wear stable and non-slip neoprene shoes or other footwear.

Due to the length of the tour, it is also advisable to take a spare fin and a spare paddle with you, because losing them on flowing water can lead to the discontinuance of the tour or even more serious consequences.

Of course, a number of bridges and footbridges lead over the Mur, the pillars of which should be avoided on a large scale, but the current usually shows the right way around anyway. After the weir near Lebring, motor boats could make their rounds. Better to paddle along the right bank, because the pier is on the left after the little bridge.

From Gralla onwards time and again trees and branches hang over the river from the shore. Be careful if you want to paddle along the shore for shade or currents.

From 500 m before the Obervogau power plant the left river bank is shallow and muddy. If you paddle too far to the left, your fin could get stuck or cross the fishing lines. From here to Spielfeld more and more fishermen line the shore. So it doesn't hurt to paddle more in the middle.

700 m after leaving the A9 motorway bridge at Spielfeld behind you, you glide towards a flat bed glide, which is unlikely to be manageable. These are the remains of the dilapidated Oberschwarza weir. Hard-nosed paddlers could try to paddle it if the water level was high enough. On the other hand, you can take the right side arm and carry the SUP over the stone wall to get back on under the sole slide. It is not clear from the satellite images whether the side arm is passable throughout and would still have to be tested on site. If so, paddling it would also mean bypassing whitewater level 1-2 for about three kilometers if you prefer to take it easy.

From the aforesaid flat bed glide to the exit in Mureck, whitewater and small riffles are to be expected again and again, but no problem for experienced paddlers. Here it is important to decide in a flash whether to kneel or just shift your weight forward to protect the fins.

Directions

By car you get from the center of Graz the easiest way to get to the Murkraftwerk Graz is via Wielandgasse Street. On the way south, Wielandgasse Street first becomes Schönaugasse street and then Kasernstraße – just follow the road south straight ahead. At the pharmacy (Apotheke am Grünanger) simply turn right into Eduard-Keil-Gasse and from there continue to the GDG Sports Center (mini golf and tennis). There are usually enough available car parking spaces free of charge here.

Alternatively you can take any number 34 bus from Jakominiplatz in the direction of Thondorf, get off at the Andersengasse stop and from there go straight ahead to the GDG Sportcenter where you turn left in the direction of the power plant. After the landscaped park between the bike path and the Mur, you get to the Olympiawiese Meadow with the starting point of this tour.

Parking

There are enough free parking spaces in the area of the GDG Sports Center in Pichlergasse. Please only occupy the unmarked parking lots and avoid those directly at the housing estates - private property!

Swimming

In summer, the Mur is pleasantly warm and you can get into the water from many places in the dammed-up areas. However, swimming and bathing is prohibited in the areas around of the power plants.

In addition, Styria offers a lot of great bathing opportunities in the vicinity of this tour and away from the Styrian main river.

Tour

From Graz along the Mur to Mureck.

Length

57 km

Time

11 – 13 hours

Start and landing

Start at the Olympiawiese Meadow under the Graz power plant.

Land about 100 m before the Ship Mill in Mureck.

SUP rental

Bootsverleih Stadtstrand Graz
Marina in Liebenau
Murpromenade Graz-Süd, 8020 Graz
Phone +43 (0)677 63 95 50 96

Stand Up Paddling am Sulmsee
Seggauberg 184, 8430 Seggauberg
Phone +43 (0)664 944 14 72

South Styrian river paddling with extra miles

The longest river in Styria is particularly varied in its Upper Styrian reaches and almost entirely navigable. The almost sixty kilometers from Graz to the Slovenian border, on the other hand, are divided into manageable stages by eight power plants. Despite the often slow-moving water, they pose a challenge of their own. This is due to the high effort required in the low current and on the other hand to the regular portaging of the weirs . Even if interactive satellite images are helpful during tour preparation, you will always experience surprises and moments of excitement along this route.

Graz power plant

I experience the first moment of joy just after 7 a.m. when I put my board in the water under a cloudless sky and in the pleasantly cool morning air. At the Olympiawiese under the barrage in Graz Liebenau you can paddle straight into the day with a little momentum and head straight towards the local recreation area Auwiesen with its artificial side arm of the river.

I enjoy the first rays of sunshine over the treetops and rooftops and look ahead, where the Gössendorf barrage is expected in about five kilometers.

Gössendorf barrage

Up to this point I have already paddled several kilometers in standing water and in order to go around the power plant I climb the stairs 220 m to the right in front of the weir 380 m further south. I take the steep stairs under the power station back into the water and take the momentum towards the narrow and wooded oxbow lakes, which branch off on both sides of the main river and run parallel to it.

A long island builds up in front of me in the middle of the river and gives me two options: if I paddle to the right it's a bit more comfortable and after about 250 m I will be carried back into the main river over shallow water. The passage on the left guarantees me more momentum and river feeling and I avoid the shallow water at the end of the right oxbow lake. So I paddle around the island on the left and enjoy the pleasant current.

Immediately after the island you could paddle left and right into other side arms and let your soul dangle a little. I prefer to enjoy the brisk river speed, because I know that the water will soon slow down considerably and that I'll have to paddle harder all the rest of the way to Kalsdorf anyway.

Kalsdorf barrage

Also in Kalsdorf you can leave the water 240 m in front of the power plant on a small staircase on the right and after 400 m climb the next staircase under the weir back down to the water. The entrance is steep, but thanks to the stairs it is not dangerous and from here I paddle into a lonely landscape, which is accessible via a cycle path, but is still deserted. The water quickly slows down and after a few gentle bends in the river, I can already see the chimneys of the district heating plant in Mellach. While I am listening carefully to the chirping of the birds and pulling hard on the paddle, I have no idea that I am about to have a little brain teaser.

Mellach barrage

First of all, you have the choice of going ashore on the right hand side over the stone wall, or directly by the weir over the somewhat overgrown bank (according to the satellite image, an exit on the left does not seem to make much sense). In both cases you will come to a field path that leads to the power plant, but ends in front of its fence or gate.

On the right there are bushes and a small, low-lying stream in the direction of the Mur, on the left the sealed-off power plant site. The entire facility is relatively extensive and has its own network of paths - even down to the river. Climbing over the fence would be possible and probably not that difficult, and would enable an optimal re-entry under the dam. However, this is too illegal and undemanding for me.

Unfortunately, the stream initially leads into two pipelines and cannot be navigated down to the Mur. It is just as dubious that there is a corn field on the opposite side of the stream, which is almost impossible to cross in summer.

Probably the only sensible way to get around the power plant here is to go down to the stream and up the other side (thicket, bushes, earthy and steep bank) - at a very specific point:

Approximately at the level of the dam wall, two large pipelines lead away to the right (west) and that's exactly where you should cross the creek, because under the pipelines there is a wide undeveloped route, along which you can bypass the corn field. You follow the pipes for about a hundred meters to the bike path (Kraftwerkstraße), but you have to reckon with some nettles on your calves along the way, which shouldn't be a problem for outdoor junkies.

You can climb up the bike path to the left (south) for 550 m, bypassing the power plant site. At the fork in the path, there is the opportunity to paddle another, larger and easily accessible stream in the direction of the Mur. The alternative would just be further out on the main road B 67 and then get back into the river much further down via the next bike bath (R2 Murradweg). This detour would be about a kilometer long, the creek leads into the Mur after only 600 m.

So I take the stream and let myself be carried under the canopy of leaves to the Mur, but I realize right away that this won't be a walk in the park either. Over the entire length I find bloated branches, trees and tree trunks lying across the water. In addition, the water moves down to the river in countless low rock steps and, to make matters worse, in many places it is so shallow that I have to pull my board by hand.

It probably makes the most sense to remove the fins in advance and only attach them to the SUP again when you get to the river. Paddling straight ahead is not possible here anyway and you could at least save yourself from getting off the board a number of times.

The inconspicuous stream is very nerve-wracking and time-consuming to cover, not least because of the horseflies and the countless carrying processes. In the end, however, you really have to earn the entrance to the Mur, because on its last few meters the stream falls steeply into the river and here you have to carry everything down carefully and resist the pull of the water.

It is best to approach this challenge with at least two people, because every step has to be spot on and you can use any help here.

But after this power plant bypass, it's a quite easy going ride again and you pass the village of Wildon, whose parish church can be seen well from the water. From Wildon on paddlers enter South Styria, highly seductive, both in terms of landscape and cuisine. Here wine culture and customs are lived like nowhere else in Austria.

The cycle path is now also well frequented and as a paddler you quickly become an eye-catcher for all road users on land. After a few long turns, you finally get to the Lebring power plant.

Lebring barrage

Here you can paddle stress-free to the right bank directly in front of the dam and then walk down to the main road. At the road turn left and walk past the local gas station and the municipal office and after about 400 m turn left into Florianistrasse Street. At the bottom of the playground there is a small parking lot. From here you can easily get down to the water and set sail again carefree.

The next kilometers towards Gralla run almost without current and you paddle straight through a wooded area. If motor boats make their rounds here, caution is advised and you should paddle close to the shore. Fortunately, however, I am slowly being overtaken, so that the waves are kept within limits.

Gralla barrage

Above the power plant forms the Gralla reservoir with a small floodplain from and opposite - on the left bank - you will find enough flat landings. This is where fishermen can position their rods, so always keep an eye out for the lines. The portage is easy and short here by simply following the dirt road to the left around the power plant and going back down to the shore via the asphalt parking lot under the dam wall. There are boulders that have been piled up here, sloping down to the water, but these bank structures can be conquered with ease.

Most of the next river stage goes through a lonely green area and by now I'm starting to notice clear signs of exhaustion, because half of the tour has already been completed and there is little variety on this section, which runs quite straight. Going straight ahead can also be mentally tiring, especially since the water is very slowly too.

Gabersdorf barrage

In return the Gabersdorf barrage offers a pleasant landing on the right side, where there is a small embankment directly in front of the weir up to the bike path. I use the shade under the trees and the bench for a short break before I walk along the cycle path (West bank of the Mur) to the stream. At its mouth into the Mur you can carefully climb down over the rocks to reach the water. Here, too, it is advantageous to act in pairs, because the stones are sometimes a bit unstable or the subsoil can crumble. It is best to use the paddle handle to feel where you want to climb.

From now on, the flow rate of the Mur finally increases and stays the same for longer. I paddle under the A9 motorway, which leads to Slovenia, and enjoy the lightness on my SUP, because the river carries me comfortably past the small town called Leibnitz which you can neither see nor guess from the water. Tree trunks keep appearing on the shore and I enjoy paddling in the shade under the trees to the next barrage.

Obervogau barrage

The approach to the Obervogau power plant turns out to be particularly idyllic, since the left river bank from 500 m in front of the weir it is very loamy and shallow, which can also be clearly seen on the satellite image. If you don't stay at least twenty meters from the shore, you could get stuck in the clay soil. Otherwise you glide over the water, which is quite transparent here, past a meadow landscape and look for a flat exit in the vicinity of the fishing hut on wooden posts to the left in front of the weir.

I quickly reach the bike path via the field path and find a small snack station about 150 m further on under the power plant. Especially along the second half of this tour you will always find good places to stop for refreshments by the shore.

The resting cyclists look at me in amazement and are probably wondering where I come from. I get into conversation and the innkeeper at Murradeweg Hütte 1 shows me a great way to the water not far from the rest area.

I simply follow the path to the barrier and then find a staircase carved into the rocks on the right between the trees. It leads to a small brick water access, which leads diagonally to the river. From the opposite side the Sulm joins the Mur and in the eddy you can easily get on your SUP and then throw yourself into the water. Here, too, the subtle current remains and after a few turns I can already see the Ehrenhausen Palace right above me.

Now I'm in the midst of the southern Styrian wine region and when I cross the bridge towards Ehrenhausen my heart lights up. How many times have I passed it in my car on the way to Slovenia and stared longingly at the river. Every time I said to my girlfriend that I wanted to paddle down here. And now the time has actually come. Doing this tour was a small dream come true and I only really become aware of it down here in the Styrian wine region.

I stay on the right bank and paddle in the shade for the very last weir transfer of the day.

Spielfeld barrage

Approaching the power plant in located in Spielfeld more and more fishing rods are sticking out of the bushes, I paddle towards the middle and finally have to swing to the left bank anyway. I find enough flat exits between the fishermen and drag my equipment down to the dirt road one last time where I pass a snack bar called Radl Hittn. I follow the lonely path and discover two rabbits in front of me. Only when I get within a few meters of them do they hop away and give me the way to the underside of the dam.

To do this, you simply have to walk across the meadow at the end of the field path until you are at the end of the hill. From there, another fairly steep and smooth bank structure leads over concreted-in boulders. From here I paddle straight to the middle of the river in order to get into the strongest current and let myself be pushed towards Spielfeld. After I pass the A9 motorway a second time (2nd bridge after portaging at Spielfeld), the most exciting part of my trip in terms of river paddling begins, because in about 700 m a bottom slide awaits me at the Slovenian border and then repeatedly passages with easy whitewater and river speeds between 4 to 8 km/h.

The sole slide, the remains of a former weir, can easily be bypassed by re-entering the river via the stone bed to its right at the bottom. Alternatively, there would be a side arm that runs three kilometers through Slovenian territory, but it is unclear how well this it navigable throughout. If the water level is high enough, die-hards could try to paddle on or around the slide on the far left, but the site would have to be inspected in advance because of its stones and shoals. Before that, there is definitely no recommendation for this endeavor!

From here it is still ten kilometers to the planned exit in Mureck and these definitely complete the tour. Finally you can fully enjoy waves and currents and get your money's worth with whitewater class I-II.

Some places form shallow ripples, but these can easily be bypassed via small side arms. You may be out and about in deserted areas a lot, but there are always small bays where sun worshipers sunbathe.

I paddle past a curious rarity: the Mur ferry in Weitensfeld is now unfortunately the last intact roller ferry on the river and takes cyclists and walkers from bank to bank every day. And even for free! But you should have your passport with you, because on the Austrian side it can happen that the military police stop by randomly and check the travel documents.

Suddenly and far too quickly I see the Ship Mill Mureck in front of me and let out an enthusiastic and at the same time relieved 'Yeah!'.

About a hundred meters before the mill I find the optimal landing between the trees, where you can walk straight up over a wooden bridge to a paved path. Here you can choose between the following options for the return journey: either a car is waiting in front of the public bath in Mureck for pickup, or you can walk to the local bus station (10 min) or train station (20 min). You find train connections in all directions on Omio and on RailEurope.

Life blesses me with the first option and my sweetheart is already waiting for me with a cool refreshment in her hands. What a brilliant day that was - full of surprises, small frustrations, exhaustion and motivation, sun and pure joie de vivre. Even if you're happy to leave the river behind for the moment, you soon get the call to do it all over again.

The post Mur – Von Graz nach Mureck first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

A visit to the historic small town of Frohnleiten directly by the Mur River is like a journey into the past - whether on foot or on SUP. Thanks to the town's colorful facades, its industrial zone and tranquil nature there is a lot of variety on this leisurely section of the river. 

General information

• Styria tourist information
• Frohnleiten tourist information
• Frohnleiten Wikipedia
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

At most, from Frohnleiten towards the dam you could occasionally encounter a boat. You should paddle by it ahead of time. In addition, the reed banks should not be touched in order to protect the animals living in them.

Dangers and risks

The starting point under the Frohnleiten power plant lies deep, but thanks to the stepped stones getting to the water is quite safe. However, we recommend walking down to the sandbank with non-slip shoes and, if in doubt, having two people lift the boards over the lowest stones.

The river speed at the start is slightly higher (approx. whitewater level I-II) and definitely requires experience in such water. The lower sections of the tour then quickly become navigable for everyone (as long as the water level is normal).

It is also important to pay attention to the bridge pillars along the route and to avoid the moles that protrude about 15 m into the river from both sides.

The right turn after the industrial area should be mastered on the left, as a shallow gravel bed on the right lets the fins sit up.

The main bridge, which leads to the center of Frohnleiten runs diagonally across the water. It can be passed standing on one side, but only kneeling or bending over on the other side.

At the lower turning point of the tour, keep enough distance to the weir of the Rabenstein power plant.

Directions

Coming from Graz respectively Bruck an der Mur take the Brucker Schnellstraße (expressway) S 35 to the Rothleiten exit. From there drive in the direction of the bridge directly east under the Frohnleiten power plant (Kühau, to the left of the SB car wasg). Cross the bridge and at the end turn sharp left onto the small path. Here you can park well on the left side of the road.

From all directions public transport, is also a great option for getting to Frohnleiten. 

Parking

After crossing the bridge (Kühau), there is a small path on its north side immediately to the left between the Mur and the railway line. There is enough space to park your car on the left side of the path.

Swimming

Except for the upper half of the route, the water is calm and there is little current, and you could definitely cool off in the few publicly accessible places (but this is not a recommendation). On the other hand, the small town has an adventure pool anyway and there are several more bathing opportunities.

Adventure pool in the Frohnleiten leisure park
Grazer Str. 20, 8130 Frohnleiten
Phone +43 (0)3126 51190

Worth seeing

It always pays off to take a historical tour through the center of Frohnleiten. The very well-preserved buildings tell of the town's more than 700-year-old story.

The almost 900-year-old tower of the Rabenstein Castle lies above the Mur Valley (Murtal). Once built to monitor and secure traffic routes, it now serves as an event location and is also very popular for weddings.

For everyone looking for a place of peace and quiet, the Monastery Garden is worth a visit. The cultivated garden is used for the self-sufficiency of the monastery residents and can also be visited by prior arrangement (Phone +43 (0)3126 2488).

On the main square in Frohnleiten you will find the art gallery Galerie Raimann. Here you can admire paintings, sculptures, installations and performances by the artist Michael Raimann from Graz. 

Extra Tips

The Murradweg cycle track is pure pleasure and leads along the river not only through Frohnleiten, but also through a variety of natural landscapes, passing by cultural monuments and nice places to stop for refreshments.

For beer lovers we recommend Brauerei Flecks brewery. Thursday is THIRSTday, everyone is welcome to taste the homegrown brew from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The Lurgrotte grotto is the largest water-bearing stalactite cave in Austria. Guided tours usually last one to two hours. Particularly adventurous folks can join special adventure tours. Tour

Tour

From the starting point under the Frohnleiten power plant down to the Rabenstein power plant and back again.

Length

10.2 km

Time

2 – 2.5 hours

Start and landing

Right under the wayside shrine at the bridge (Kühau), about 200 m below the weir.

SUP rental

None

Overnight Stay

Murhof Hotel und Restaurant
Adriach-Rabenstein 53, 8130 Frohnleiten
Phone +43 (0)3126 3000

Gastkeusche Höss
Schöneggerstrasse 54, 8102 Semriach
Phone +43 (0)680 2308697

Gasthof Lembacherhof
Bruckerstrasse 1, 8130 Frohnleiten
Phone +43 (0)3126 2453

Gastronomy

Heiningers Schlemmerei
Brucker Str. 7, 8130 Frohnleiten
Phone +43 (0)3126 44444

Trend Lokal
Mauritzener Hauptstrasse 1, 8130 Frohnleiten
Phone +43 (0)3126 51199

Through the multifaceted Murtal Valley 

This tour is again the classic example that satellite images cannot always be trusted, especially since the vegetation and the building infrastructure may have changed since the time of the recording. The entry point, which we had targeted in advance, turned out to be impassable due to the slope of the bank. It therefore takes a while before we find the best entry point under the Frohnleiten power plant.

Due to industry, many accesses are blocked anyway and possible off-road routes to the water are inaccessible through the thicket. Ultimately, however, we find an optimal descent to the Mur, which lies far below, to the left of the bridge (Kühau) on the right bank at the small wayside shrine. The stepped stones lead to a small and hidden cove with gravel and coarse sand. 

With our boards under our armpits we walk down quickly and start directly into the strongest current of the entire tour. We are kneeling at the beginning and as soon as the water calms down we are already on our feet despite the slightly higher waves. The first few meters are level 1 to 2 whitewater, so it is advisable to paddle this tour with some river experience. 

On both river banks, moles made of rocks and stones protrude about 10 to 20 meters into the course of the river - an ideal playground for practicing approaching eddies. Here the conditions are also ideal for river rookies.

Then we paddle past industrial plants and while it's not the prettiest backdrop, it has potential for some interesting and unusual SUP photos. Here, too, you can still incorporate a little eddy training in many places and even take a break under the trees on the shallow left bank before you leave the industrial zone behind and are driven into a long right-hand bend. Here the water gets a little choppy again and depending on the water level, only the left side can be navigated well. If you then paddle too far to the right, fins and paddles could land directly on the river bed.

With the first bridge (Brucker Schnellstraße) in sight, we head towards the town center. Directly under the right hand side of the bridge there is a pier and a slipway including a parking lot. If you want to save yourself the first two kilometers of this route and prefer to jump straight into the more comfortable water, you will find great entry conditions here. 

From now on, the already gentle current slows down significantly and you can paddle in the leisurely flowing water past the colorful facades of Frohnleiten, which skilfully project their reflections on the water. Not only are these eye-catchers, but apparently we paddlers are as well, because at the second bridge, which leads directly to the center, we are greeted by the first onlookers who are sitting outside a pub, while certainly drinking not their first beer. 

We quickly leave the old town behind and find ourselves on the almost standstill Mur River. nestled in the middle of nature again. We encounter scattered birds and swans as well as geese, which waddle around unashamedly along the country road along the river.

Since the water here is mirror-smooth, every paddler is reflected in it too, allowing us to take great photos. Gradually we float down towards the Rabenstein power plant, where the turning point of this tour awaits us. Arriving at the dam wall you can see the 13th century Rabenstein Castle, enthroned on a rocky spur high above the Murtal Valley. Hissing noises can be heard in the water, which can cause uncertainty at first. You might think the SUP has a hole and is losing air. But our SUPs remain firm and hold up well on the way back. It is probably just lines or pipes laid in the water that are losing air bubbles. 

The way back starts comfortably and in principle it doesn't matter whether you paddle by the bank or in the middle of the river. Only after the last curve before Frohnleiten does the river's flow rate start to increase again, but you can still paddle in the middle of the river. Since we can't assess exactly what's in store for us in the upper reaches of the route, we start paddling more and more by the bank to save energy. This way we discover a small access to the water, which is located at the main bridge at the small park in front of the local Health and Nursing School (left river bank).

You could park here right behind the school and start a shortened version of the tour directly from the town center.

We continue upstream and go on to the next bridge (Brucker Schnellstraße S 35). From there we definitely prefer to paddle by the bank side and stick to the right side (left bank) in order to save energy around the long left-hand bend with its gravel banquet. The paddling frequency increases and the first beads of sweat leave the epidermis.

Meter by meter we work our way towards the cardboard factory and are always on the lookout for the optimal line, knowing full well that only the last one to two hundred meters could get really intense. Up until now it has been slightly challenging to go against the current, but absolutely doable for ambitious paddlers. If necessary, you can pause again in the eddies between the moles and recharge your batteries before starting the final show of strength under the bridge and to the entry bay. 

The Mur shows us all its facets on this section and so you can experience a nice mix of leisure paddling and easy white water along this 10 km rout. That's how we know and like it, the longest waterway in Styria.

Alternative: You can shorten the route significantly or omit the upper part between the Frohnleiten power station and the town center if you go to the inconspicuous water access at the park on the nursing school. The same applies to the water access via the slipway under the highway bridge.

The post Mur – Frohnleiten first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

The Danube metropolis offers a spacious paddling paradise around the famous Gänsehäufel, which offers a lot of different charms between the skyline and the bathing lake idyll.

General information

• Vienna Wikipedia
• Vienna City Cards
• Vienna tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

In summer there is often a lot going on by the water. While many swimming areas are demarcated, there are a variety of watercraft to keep in mind. Paddle on sight, avoid the banks on busy midsummer days and avoid other water sports enthusiasts on a large scale.

Dangers and risks

Vienna can be very windy, especially in summer, and it's the same on the Old Danube. Especially in the high season you should check the wind first, because winds from the north, the west and in between can quickly reach 30 km/h (16 kts). Then paddling becomes torture or even impossible.

On hot and beautiful days, the water is crowded here. All kinds of hand-operated and motor-powered watercrafts share the water with countless bathers. So you have to be careful when you're out and about.

Directions

Coming from the south, take the Südwesttangente A 23 and take the exit onto the A 22 in the direction of Praha (Prague)/Vienna Int. Center. After approx. 1.6 km, take the Kaisermühlen exit and follow the road for 450 m to the next crossing on the right. Here you make a sharp right onto Kaisermühlendamm Street and follow it for 600 m until you reach the entrance to Dampfschiffhaufen Street. After about 400 more meters you will find the Strombucht Bay on the left.

You can also take public transport to get to the Strombucht.

The current timetables for public transport (Wiener Linien) can be found online.

Optimal bus, train and flight connections to Vienna can be found on the comparison portals Omio and RailEurope.

Parking

You can park your car on Dampfschiffhaufen Street in front of the Strombucht Bay for a fee (free on Sundays and public holidays). When the weather is nice, however, you should be here before 9 a.m. so that you can even get a parking space.  

Swimming

As a city on the water, Vienna offers countless bathing opportunities. The Gänsehäufel public bath on the Old Danube is Vienna's top address when it comes to bathing in nature. But besides the Old Danube there are numerous others possibilities to enjoy and relax in the water.

If it is too cold to swim outside, you can always take a dip in the Therme Wien Spa in Oberlaa (10th district).

Tour

From the Strombucht Bay once around the Gänsehäufel and into the Kaiserwasser and back again.

Length

6,4 km

Time

1.5 - 2 hours

Start and landing

Strombucht Bay on the Old Danube.

SUP rental

SUP Center Vienna – Gänsehäufelbad
Moissigasse 21, 1220 Vienna
Phone +43 (0)660 8343759

Boats2Sail
Am Kaisermühlendamm 106, 1220 Vienna
Phone +43 (0)660 6151 204

Sailing school Hofbauer Alte Donau
An der Oberen Alten Donau 186, 1220 Wien
Phone +43 (0)660 6151 204

Flotus - Stand Up Paddling
Labellweg 19, 1220 Vienna

Snowboard-Surf-Shop
Favoritenstrasse 28 1040 Vienna
Phone +43 (1) 606 79 88

Between skyline and beach hut

The area around the Alte Donau (Old Danube) is a popular local recreation area in Vienna and is accordingly in great demand and overcrowded, especially on nice days. From this point of view, we are lucky today, because despite the rainy weather upon our arrival, soon the sun will appear and shine on us and the deserted water.

The access to the Strombucht Bay which was opend in 2016 is free of charge. It is also very easy to find for people who are not familiar with the area and as you drive into Dampfschiffhaufenstraße street, you inevitably ask yourself whether you are really in Vienna or at a bathing lake somewhere in the country. Here in the north-east of the Austrian capital, beach and holiday cottages line up next to each other and are surrounded by bathing lawns. Only when you step out onto the water does the skyline of the Donaucity appear on the left over the cottages and boat docks in the reeds.

Although this tributary of the Danube is known as the Old Danube, it no longer has much in common with the original course of the river up to the 18th century, which was constantly altered by floods and ran through the city with countless canals. Today the Danube is tamed and regulated, so that the Old Danube no longer has direct access to the main arm of the river. It feeds mainly on groundwater.

We enter this body of water by the Venedig Steg (Venice Jetty) at the Strombucht sunbathing lawn. The bathing place is accessible free of charge and spacious, but pay particular attention to duck and swan excrement lying in the meadow. If you don't like the Venice jetty, you can also embark at the two flat water accesses between the bushes.

We paddle the Lower Old Danube first to the right towards the Polizeisteg (police jetty) and enjoy the shore vegetation and the cute little houses as well as the small boat docks on the shore. The wind blows against us with about 3 Bft, but we enjoy free travel on the empty Danube water.

There is a small barrier in the water directly below the police jetty, apparently so that unwelcome sea plants do not multiply uncontrollably in this basin of the Old Danube. However, you can easily paddle through the sticks sticking out of the water by pushing them aside with the nose of your board. Even for seasoned paddlers like us there is always something new to discover - we have never seen such a construction before.

After the jetty we turn right and pass colorful small lake houses. We imagine being in southern Italy or Greece, but it's hard to believe that we're in a big city. Our goal is to circumnavigate the Gänsehäufel public bath and that's why we soon turn left again, where we are again greeted by the headwind. For the next kilometer we paddle past the east bank of the city's largest bathing island and occasionally meet an oncoming electric boat while the terrace of the bar Das Bootshaus (The Boat House) slowly fills up with guests. Here you can not only have breakfast by the water, but also enjoy yoga on the jetty.

Unfortunately, we won't enjoy much relaxation today, because the wind produces enough waves and forces us to paddle hard at times. But in front of the Kagran Bridge we will be rewarded with a great view of the towers of the Donaucity from the open water. We already know the Austria Center, the United Nations Building as well as the Danube Tower from photos anyway. Now we paddle past them and under the Kagran Bridge and into the Upper Old Danube. Here you can not only SUP, but also sail in the middle of the city. A little further ahead, the Hofbauer sailing school even offers trial courses and back again.

Although you could paddle on three more kilometers to the Floridsdorf Water Park, today we are satisfied with the half-distance, so to speak, and turn back under the subway bridge.

We pass the small marinas and direct our SUP boards towards the Kaiserwasser ahead of us. Today, this small tributary forms the northern edge of the district Kaisermühlen, which some German speaking readers will surely recognize from the television series Kaisermühlen Blues from the 1990ies.

First we glide between the reed banks and under the small footbridge and after about 100 m we end up in the large basin. Directly in front of and under the skyscrapers you quickly feel quite small and the gathering clouds set up a mystical background. Unfortunately, we have to turn back, because the Kaiserwasser is more like a lake than a side arm with entrance and exit at different points. So we paddle back to the pedestrian bridge and turn right to continue the circumnavigation of the Gänsehäufel again, which will therefore be completed in a few minutes.

Here, too, there are countless boat docks, water sports clubs, rental stations and pubs between the private homes of well-heeled Viennese. We had hoped that our initial headwind would now turn into a tailwind. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and we paddle back to the Strombucht without any wind.

In about an hour and a half we got a good impression of this spacious paddling paradise in the middle of Vienna and will definitely stop by again and explore the Upper Old Danube.

Alternative: After the Kagran Bridge, the tour can be continued three kilometers west to the Floridsdorf Water Park. So for a round trip you have to reckon with about 6 km and over an hour more on the water.

The post Alte Donau (Old Danube) first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

Anyone looking for a relaxed paddling tour through nature is in good hands at the Ferlach Reservoir. Here you can comfortably clock in a decent amount of kilometers, enjoy the solitude by the water, watch grazing cows as well as schools of fish under the board.

General information Ferlach reservoir

• Carinthia Card 
• Ferlacher Stausee Wikipedia 
• Rosental Valley Wikipedia 
• Rosental tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Please paddle around bathers and fishermen, the reservoir belongs to everyone.

Dangers and risks

Increased caution is required in the area of the dam walls and bridges. This means keeping a sufficient distance from pillars and weir systems. 
Don't get too close to the cows in the pasture and it's best to stay in the water near them. Due to its height, the railway bridge at Unterschloßberg can only be passed lying down.

Directions

It is best to take the car to get to the reservoir. Coming from Klagenfurt, drive south on Rosentaler Straße B 91. At the roundabout after crossing the reservoir, take the first right onto the B 85. After about 8 km, before the Billa supermarket, take the Ludmannsdorf/Köttmannsdorf turn-off to the right and drive to the turn-off before the bridge (1.4 km). Follow the forest path parallel to the reservoir for 2.5 km to the St. Johann boat harbour.

If you take the bus, get off at the stop St.Johann im Rosental Ort and then walk about two kilometers along the narrow paths to the reservoir.

Parking

At the boat harbor St. Johann there is enough parking space for cars. However, according to the street sign by the access road coming from Feistritz this road is only accessible to residents. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to park here.

Parking alternatives would be by the bridge near the Feistritz-Ludmannsdorf power plant in the west, at the Unterschloßberg rest area and at the Ferlach-Maria Rain power plant in the east.

Swimming

The small Ferlach Bathing Lake (also called Ressnig Teich) is located south of the Ferlach Reservoir and can be reached by car or bike via the Drau cycle path. Even during the hot summer months there is enough space for swimming. 

In the reservoir you can cool off anywhere you can find access or jump straight into the water from the SUP. Besides, there are many more bathing possibilities in the surroundings.

Tour

From the boat harbor St. Johann first paddle left to the Feistritz-Ludmannsdorf power plant. Then in the opposite direction to the Rosental railway bridge at Unterschloßberg and back to the St. Johann harbor.

Length

14 km

Time

3.5 - 4 hours

Start and landing

At the St. Johann boat harbor on the south bank of the reservoir.

SUP rental

Drau Paddelweg
Dahlienweg 14, 9161 Maria Rain
Phone +43 (0)463 2032 30100

SUP & Smile
Gregorweg 15, 9536 St Egyden
Phone +43 (0)650 6733945

Fels & Wasser
Flurweg 20, 9524 Villach
Phone +43 650 6161327

Through the valley of the reservoirs 

The Drava River is not only the fourth longest tributary of the Danube, but also the cool lifeline of the southernmost province of Austria. With the exception of its upper reaches in East Tyrol and in Upper Carinthia, the leisurely river is comfortably navigable and dammed up through the entire Rosental Valley. The Ferlach reservoir has no current from weir to weir and is also an easy destination for SUP beginners.

There are good entry points at both ends of the reservoir and at the two small ports. Since we are approaching the lake from the west, we opt for the sympathetic boat harbor of St. Johann, about 2.5 km east of the Feistritz-Ludmannsdorf weir. The gravel road there is a bit bumpy and can only be driven on at walking pace, but the entrance to the water here is beautiful. The water on the shore is emerald green and around us the first fishing boats are already cavorting in the distance.

You step flat into the water and first let your gaze wander over the reservoir. From here we have a circuit ahead of us and we decide to paddle left to the weir first, because we expect to find an increasing river speed on the way there. We would rather get this over with now than at the end of the tour. This expectation is not fulfilled and the whole way towards Feistritz im Rosental (not to be confused with Feistritz an der Drau - a different village upstream) feels like standing water. 

We start along the north bank and enjoy the wonderful autumn colors in cloudless weather. Although it is now a bit cooler in October mornings, this day then develops to be like spring, so that we will be glad to wear airy clothing. 

We paddle past cow pastures, while Mt. Hochstuhl rises half-left in front of us with its 2237 m high peak. A little behind the highest peak of the so-called Karawanken mountains you can also see the already snow-covered peak of the Mittagskogel. You should have climbed both at least once in your life. 

Since there shouldn't be many paddlers around here, the cows also seem to be interested in us and come down to the bank to drink and to watch us. As peaceful as they may be, better keep your distance and stay by the water. Surprisingly, the weir is quickly in sight and we paddle up to where the Feistritz stream leads into the Drava, 250 m to the left below the weir. If you need a short break, you could comfortably moor here on the gravel bank and stretch your legs in the cold water.

From here we head back to the harbor and then on to the bridge of the Loiblpass road, about 6.5 km east of here. Of course, the water runs a little faster directly under the weir than in the large basin of the reservoir, but the difference is hardly noticeable. We cover the 2.5 km back down to the harbor a few minutes faster than it took us coming here to the weir. After the boat harbor we are already in the main basin of the reservoir and the field of vision widens. 

You can't see as far as the two bridges near Unterschloßberg, because we still have to paddle around a slight right-hand bend. What you can clearly see is the completely undeveloped north bank of the reservoir with its striking rocks in the middle. Nevertheless, the hills are criss-crossed by forest roads and you can discover a few domiciles at the top. Especially along the southern shore you can paddle over enchanting shoals with endless carpets of underwater plants.

The water goes crazy with colors, smoothly changing between different shades of green and blue, while some plants give the impression that they are covering rocks with moss. But unlike, for example, the river sections in the Maribor area (Slovenia), you can confidently paddle deep here without ever hitting rocks. One might think that the Drau cultivates its own underwater forests here.

In the distance we can see the border mountains with Slovenia, with Mt. Singerberg (1589 m) and the Sechter (1449 m) being among the highest visible peaks. Now the railway bridge is visible for the first time exactly three kilometers in front of us. We cover the distance in exactly 45 minutes, which means we are paddling the classic 4 km/h, on which most of the times given here in the SUP Atlas are based.

The time flies thanks to the intensive observation of nature and we moor at the small boat harbor in front of the railway bridge for a short break. From here it would be another three kilometers to the next weir, but we will tackle the full longitudinal crossing with its 20 km distance another time. 

No matter if you stand here in the area of the railway bridge on land or on your SUP, you now have a good view up to Hollenburg Castle, which was probably built around the year 1100. In addition, the Loiblpass Road with its curve sloping down to the water is a brilliant photo motif. 

After a few photos and a few sips of water we head home and set ourselves a little challenge: we want to get back to the port of entry, which is now four kilometers away, as quickly as possible. So there is no more time for taking pictures and strolling, because we still want to feel a nice workout. We make it back in well under an hour and reward ourselves with a quick dip in the fresh water. The emerald-green shore does not make it easy to leave this beautiful place without a dip, and the flat water access with its fine sediment is also tempting - what a treat for your feet. 

Find similar SUP tours on Carinthian waters in the SUP Guide Carinthia (available in German only).

The post Ferlach Reservoir first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

Hidden in a depression between the western Styrian villages of Pack and Modriach, one can also explore waterways in between the forests. As an excursion destination and local recreation area the Packer reservoir is a nice SUP spot you should not miss. 

General information

• Packer Reservoir Wikipedia
• Styria tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

Please paddle around bathers and fishermen, the reservoir belongs to everyone.

Dangers and risks

If you come here too early in the year you may encounter either an icy or a severely depleted reservoir (water level reduced to 50%). 

Directions

Coming from the east or west, take the Modriach exit on the A2 southern highway (Südautobahn) and turn left at the intersection with Modriacher Landesstraße Street, then go in the direction of Hirschegg. Follow the winding road until the dam appears on the left. Turn left here and drive over the dam wall. Straight ahead along the north bank to the campsite and sunbathing area at the west end of the reservoir.

Parking

On hot and sunny summer days the road along the north bank is full of parked cars relatively early in the morning. There is plenty of parking space along the narrow street, but on such days it can take longer to find a good parking lot. We always come here early in the morning or in the evening and park near the north-west bank by the bathing lawn and the campsite. 

Swimming

Due to its altitude (867 m), the reservoir is slightly cooler than the bathing lakes on the plain. In July, the warmest water here is around 22°C with average temperatures around 17°C. However, you can still go swimming until September at pleasant temperatures. The only official sunbathing lawn on the north-western shore between the campsite and the Seetreff cafe is best suited for this. If you circumnavigate the lake on foot or by car, you will also find a few other entry points. Basically, the majority of the lake shore is privately owned and there are only a few free and easily accessible entrances between the properties.

Worth seeing

In the village of Edelschrott, at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, there is a  private observatory, that is open to visitors. For current special events, additional special tours are offered. 

The Hahnenschloss Palace in Edelschrott is actually a hunting lodge from the 19th century. Today it is used for the administration of the Herzogberg forest estate and can be reached via a number of hiking trails. 

In the midst of the so-called Lipizzaner homeland you should also visit the Lipizzaner Stud Piber. Visitors can enjoy cattle drive, stud tours and foal experience days. Selected animals come from here to be trained at the world famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna. 

Extra Tips

An 8 km long Nature and Culture Trail leads from the village of Pack past the Pack Reservoir and on to the village of Edelschrott. With 280 exhibits along the way you can learn a lot about the region and work on your stamina at the same time. 

If you prefer to travel by bike, just ride around the reservoir. The Pack bike path is 7.4 km long and with an altitude difference of 20 meters it is ideal for a leisurely bike ride.

Motorbike fans can put the pedal to the metal at the Salzstiegl trial park. According to many bikers this is the best spot of this kind in Austria. The park also offers other action-packed activities like rock climbing, archery, bungee trampoline jumping and giant scooter downhill riding. 

The 42 km long Teigitsch is a tributary of the better-known river Kainach in the Voitsberg district. It feeds the Hirzmann and Langmann reservoirs and leads through a great hiking area. Especially the Teigischklamm Gorge is worth a trip. 

The 3-reservoir-experience is a day's hike that connects the three reservoirs in the region and demands a lot of endurance over its 27.7 km and almost 970 meters in altitude. 

Tour

From the public bathing area on the northwest bank, turn left going along the north bank of the reservoir towards the east and back over the south bank.

Length

5 km

Time

60 - 80 minutes

Start and landing

On the bathing beach in front of the campsite on the northwestern shore.

SUP rental

None

Overnight Stay

Pension Maurer
Pack 352, 8583 Pack
Phone +43 (0)650 6729440

Gasthof Klug zum Ehrensepp
Oberer Herzogberg 329, 8583 Modriach
Phone +43 (0)664 5027141

Chalet Hebalm
Pack 247, 9451 Pack
Phone +43 (0)681 20492696

Gastronomy

Gasthaus zum Seewirt
Packer Stausee 104, 8583 Pack
Phone +43 (0)3146 8123

Maria und Joschi See-Treff 
Stauseewinkel Weg 205, 8583 Pack

Tree root transport on the cargo SUP

Western Styria is better known for its mountains and forests, but in addition to hiking boots, you can also use your SUP for active locomotion.

The Pack Reservoir lies beneath the village of Pack, was completed in 1931 and holds a water volume of around 5 million cubic meters, which is spread over around 60 hectares. However, the lake is not only used to generate electricity, but is also a popular swimming and water sports area. The SUP season starts around May. If you want to SUP here too early in the year, you will either find thick ice floes or a greatly reduced water level, which, in addition to the visual drawbacks, also means significantly less paddable area.

In early summer and then again from the end of August, you will find ideal conditions for paddling on the camping meadow, especially since you will quickly find a parking space and the meadow is almost deserted. 

The ducks also seem so used to humans that they hardly pay any attention to us and do not allow themselves to be distracted from their search for food between the blades of grass. We put the boards in the shallow water and set course for the east bank of the slightly curved reservoir - always facing the midday sun. 

Between the trees you can see countless small plots of land on both sides of the bank - many with bathing jetties, although the north bank is much more developed. The main access road to the lake also runs along it, which is why there are also a number of holiday homes here. 

The water is calm, but you can feel a slight current in the direction of travel – i.e. towards the east bank. Since our goal is a leisurely ride among friends our paddle shafts are set relatively long. We comfortably pass the Seewirt Inn at the dam wall and let ourselves drift gently to the east bank. Here the Modriachbach Stream drains the reservoir through a reed landscape and you find yourself in a small, secluded basin. Also in front of us is a large sawed-off, barkless tree root in the shallow water. A beautiful sight in itself, and we immediately have an idea:

A mutual friend is a myrmecologist, i.e. an ant researcher, and is always looking for habitats for his ant colonies. A souvenir of this kind would certainly make him happy. So we pack the root piece and ship it on one of our SUPs. The root probably weighs around 25 - 30 kg and since there is enough space on the board, careful and comfortable paddling is still possible.

So it is that we return with what is probably the world's first cargo SUP while we think about how many beautiful pieces of driftwood we may have already left behind in our SUP careers instead of bringing them home with us. After all, with a little creativity and craftsmanship, beautiful art and souvenirs can be formed from it. Of course, we get smiling looks from the water sports enthusiasts who meet us along the way. This is understandable since people are already used to seeing SUPs with a dogs these days. But SUPs with tree roots are unique.

Only on the way back, looking west, we detect the small town of Pack, which rises 1.5 km behind the reservoir. It is also the last village before the border to the federal state of Carinthia.

Even if there is of course more going on in summer, the reservoir impresses with its seclusion and tranquility. Especially in the evening and in the morning you have the lake to yourself and can indulge in the play of sunbeams over and through the treetops. Also, the people here are helpful and open-minded. After landing, a permanent camper provided us with a wheelbarrow to transport the wooden root colossus to the car. We are happy, without a doubt our myrmecologist friend will also be happy soon, and we round off this entertaining trip at the Seetreff Inn right next door.

The post Pack Reservoir first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

This tour offers a beautiful and quite challenging combination of reservoir and river. The dreamy Rosental Valley is also pretty charming on the water and inspires stand-up paddlers with a mix of idleness and challenge. If you are looking for solitude, this is the right place to be.

General information

• Carinthia Card
• Rosental Valley Wikipedia
• Rosental tourist information
• Feistritz Reservoir
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather
  

Navigation rules

The reservoir is the habitat of rare birds and amphibians and should therefore be navigated with respect. Be cautious of reeds and only paddle on obviously passable paths. Avoid fishing boats and fishermen on the shore and pass them by in a wide arc.

Dangers and risks

Depending on the water level, you can still come across clay banks 10 - 20 m from the shore, where you can easily get stuck with paddles and fins. Therefore keep enough distance from the shore as long as the current is low! 

Every now and then a motorized boat cruises along the route. Then make way accordingly! The last 1.5 km before the weir in Rosegg (approx. from km 6.5 upstream) the current picks up strongly and you primarily paddle along the bank. There can always be increased driftwood along the entire route.

Directions

From Klagenfurt take the Rosentaler Straße B91 south towards the village of Lambichl by car and from there to Ludmannsdorf. Follow the course of the road to Franzendorf and finally to a village called Selkach. The water entry at the so-called Zikkurat-Drauwelle is located at the bend in the river south-east of the village.

However, it is time-consuming to reach this location using public transport, especially since longer walking distances have to be planned.

Parking

At the fork in the road to the so-called Zikkurat-Drauwelle there is a small free parking lot with space for a few vehicles. The small harbor begins on the opposite side of the street with enough open space for tour preparation.

Swimming

Those who like the cool river water will find plenty of free access here, especially along the south bank. Nevertheless, one should not stray too far from the shore, as even weak currents can have a great effect.

If the river is too cold for you, you can visit the 50 m long natural swimming pond or the pool in the EuroParks Rosental (formely known as Wahaha Paradise).

EuroParcs Rosental
Feriendorf 1, 9181 Feistritz im Rosental
Phone +43 (0)4228 37733

Tour

From the Drauwelle turn right and upstream along the bank to the Rosegg/St. Jacob power plant. From there back to the start.

Length

16 km

Time

3 - 4 hours

Start and landing

In Selkach at the Drauwelle ‘Zikkurat’.

SUP rental

Drau Paddelweg
Dahlienweg 14, 9161 Maria Rain
Phone +43 (0)463 2032 30100

SUP & Smile
Gregorweg 15, 9536 St Egyden
Phone +43 (0)650 6733945

Fels & Wasser
Flurweg 20, 9524 Villach
Phone +43 650 6161327

Slalom paddling through the driftwood

The Feistritz Reservoir is the backwater of the Drava River by the Feistritz-Ludmannsdorf power plant and stretches from the village Feistritz im Rosental in the east to Sankt Jakob im Rosental in the west. The reservoir, which is around eight kilometers long, forms a number of bays and harbor basins and is a popular fishing paradise in the region.

The Drava - Carinthia's longest river - offers paddlers a unique natural experience along the floodplain landscapes on the banks of the reservoir. Although the first few kilometers of the stretch ahead of us have little current, you shouldn't let that fool you. After about 4 km the water picks up speed, so you should bring along at least a little river experience for this tour.

Wir fahren durch das malerische Rosental nach Selkach und steigen dort an der Zikkurat-Drauwelle. in die Wasserader Kärntens ein. Der Spot entpuppt sich als echter Geheimtipp, denn gleich bei der Ankunft werden wir von einer kleinen Schafherde begrüßt, welche hier in ihrem frei zugänglichen Gehege grast. Der von den Künstlern Edmund and Tomas Hoke as well as Armin Guerino, künstlich angelegte Hafen windet sich spiralförmig, wie eine Schnecke zum Fluss und beherbergt unzählige kleine Stege und Bootsanlegestellen.

Bevor es jedoch ins Wasser geht, steigen wir jedoch auf den sich keilförmig über dem Hafen erhebenden Aussichtshügel und blicken von dort begeistert über das weitläufige Rosental. Die Künstler wollten damit neue Horizonte erkunden lassen und spielen mit diesem Werk mit den Perspektiven und den Formen dieser weitläufigen Kulturlandschaft. So bekommen wir vorab eine Vorstellung der bevorstehenden Tour entlang dieses gemächlich dahingleitenden Flussabschnittes. Der Einstieg erweist sich als sehr angenehm, zumal der ausreichend hohe Wasserstand verhindert, dass Paddel und Finnen im lehmigen Boden stecken bleiben.

We let ourselves drift gently onto the reservoir and be carried upstream (to the right) by the light easterly wind on the open water. The Karavanks which are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, stretch out before our eyes with their dominating mountain called Mittagskogel (2145 m). This all-round view along the reservoir gives us the feeling of being tiny.

The slight tail wind whirls up the water a bit and neutralizes the hardly noticeable current and so our 16 km long tour begins under easier conditions. The river will always be between 100 and 200 meters wide along the route and the few boats that we encounter will be swallowed up on the horizon as much as we are. Apart from a few visible reed beds, swans, ducks and seagulls, we are alone and enjoy the sounds of nature this magnificent river and meadow landscape. However, the biodiversity in this area is much greater: around 20 species of fish, beavers, otters and even North American signal crabs find their home here.

The water is cloudy because clay and sand are whirled up in it and now and then rotten tree trunks and all kinds of other branches drift past us, which we enjoy driving around. There is also said to be a beaver population here, but we cannot confirm this due to the time of day. For that you would have to paddle here at dusk.

In front of us the small bridge we had to cross by car coming here comes closer and shortly afterwards the mouth of the slim Rosenbach Stream extends to the left. Along the gravel bank you can see sun worshipers working on their tan and you can also get into the cool and crystal clear mountain water that feeds the Drava.

Thanks to the tailwind, the first two kilometers to get here were a breeze, but we know it won't stay that way forever. From here the reservoir, which is 8 km long, takes on more and more the character of a typical rivering water: the river speed increases gradually.

The reed landscape reminds us a little of the canals and lagoons of the Upper Adriatic and so we paddle meter by meter through the meandering river in glorious weather. Nature offers us all its colors in different shades and tones and we enjoy every moment of ist.

Shortly before the village of Dreilach we notice that the water is picking up speed again and the current is clearly visible. But no problem, because we are still making good progress and skilfully avoiding the driftwood, which is sometimes drifting towards us in larger clusters. We paddle around the small wooden slalom and look for the ideal line. The paddle blades pierce every second and the rhythm is optimal.

In between, however, this is interrupted because we have no choice but to stop for a few snapshots, even if the water carries us back a few meters again. Full of expectation, we leave one bend in the river after the other and wonder why the Rosegg power plant is still not in sight.

We ask a family who is coming towards us in a canoe how far it is, but they don't know either, especially since they started their tour only a few minutes ago. So we continue hopefully and we hold back so as not to take a look at the internet map. We can't be wrong, especially since there's only one direction we can anyway.

We notice that with every bend in the river, it becomes more difficult to work against the current. The current is visibly and noticeably increasing, which is an indication that we are getting closer and closer to the intermediate goal. The last 1,500 m before the weir are tough: we move even closer to the bank and sometimes paddle under the overhanging bushes in order to be confronted with as little water resistance as possible.

But the drudgery has an expiry date after we pass the village of Pulpitsch and shortly after see the dam. After a net travel time of almost exactly two hours, we have earned a timeout in the eddy under the weir which we enjoy with pleasure.

The way back promises to be faster and more energy-efficient due to the flow speed of the water. But first we land 600 m below the weir on the right hand side to fill our drinking bottles with fresh water at the small waterfall at the end of the Mühlbach Stream. The estuary bed is also the ideal spot for a quick dive before swinging back on the board and letting the water pull you downstream.  

The previously hard-earned last few kilometers now pass quickly and we put our paddles aside and sit on our boards. Every paddler should once in their life have leisurely navigated a rivering body of water, gliding along with the power of the water is incomparable.

Unfortunately, this feeling doesn't last until the end and sooner or later you have to put your paddles in the water again to make progress. In a much shorter time we approach the Rosenbach Stream again, come to the bridge and after about an hour of downstream paddling we are back in the small harbor on the Drauwelle.

You should plan about a third of the total time for the way back, although of course you will have to paddle more towards the end of the tour. A demanding tour is coming to an end, but the Drau still has a number of beautiful areas to offer. For example, the rest of the reservoir up to the next dam in Feistritz, about 6 km from today's water entrance.

Find this and many other SUP tours on Carinthian waters in the SUP Guide Carinthia.

The post Feistritz Reservoir to Rosegg first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.

A dreamy river island, abandonned channels and an incredible idyll. You can experience this all year round on the Mur south of Austria's the second largest city.

General information

• Styria tourist information
• Styria Card
• Kalsdorf Wikipedia
• Graz Wikipedia
• Graz tourist information
• Kalsdorf tourist information
• Climate
• Wind, waves, weather

Navigation rules

The usual water traffic rules apply: avoid other watercrafts in good time, do not paddle up to the weirs but get out of the water or turn around early enough in front of them. Avoid nesting sites!

Dangers and risks

The Mur also has classic moving water hazards in its relatively quiet section in Graz and south of it, so it is always important to monitor the water level and weigh up whether your own abilities allow a tour. Especially after heavier or longer rainfall, the flow rate can increase sharply on these otherwise quite calm river sections.

When entering under the motorway bridge, there is an extreme risk of slipping on the slipway. It is best to put the board in the water from the shore instead of from the slipway.

At the power plants Gössendorf (the first power plant) and Kalsdorf (the second power plant) you should of course get out of the water well beforehand and not paddle all the way to the weir.

Expect increased eddies and swirls by the island (approx. 1.3 km) after the Gössendorf power plant. The same applies to the old channels to the left and right of it. Only paddle through these if the water level is high enough. In general, the right side arm is better suited for this for it is wider and deeper.

When exiting in Kalsdorf, there is no fixed exit point and you have to look for a suitable exit between the bushes along the bank. It is relatively steep, but not very high. There is a risk of slipping, especially in winter when there is snow and ice.

Directions

You can get to Graz via all conventional transport routes. Once in the city, you will also enjoy a great public transport network.

By car you get from the center of Graz to Puntigamer Straße Street either via the district of Liebenau or Puntigam. Follow Puntigamer Straße Street to the roundabout on the southern belt (Südgürtel) and take the exit towards Murfelder Straße (street signage, directly in front of the greenhouses). This takes you to Murfelder Straße, which you drive down about 2.6 km to the club house of the local rowing club (Ruder Club Graz).

If you travel from the city by bus, you have to walk about 600 m from the stop to the water.

Parking

River access in Graz: You can usually park well along the streets Murfelderstraße or Eichbachgasse close to the boathouse of the Graz Rowing Club or the water service of the fire brigade.

Landing Kalsdorf: On Murgruberstraße Street at the gravel works next to the power plant, turn right in the direction of travel, approx. 3 km after the town center of Fernitz

However, it is best to be picked up here, as prolonged parking in the area of the gravel works could result in parking fines.

Swimming

Even in summer, the Mur only stays around 20° C water temperature. Nevertheless, thanks to the new barrages and the low current in the Graz area, you can also get into the water at suitable places. The recreation area Auwiesen, just behind the motorway bridge, is ideal for this. A small artificial lake was also created here, which is still a little warmer as it is a still body of water - although fed by the river Mur.

South of Auwisen, water access is more or less steep, depending on the water level, and leads through bushes near the shore. In the area of the hydroelectric power plants, boarding and swimming is prohibited!

The new port in Liebenau is only mentioned additionally. It also offers excellent bathing opportunities and you can enjoy drinks and the good weather in the sun loungers by the beachbar. Just like the easily accessible bay in Augarten Park., this spot is not along this paddling route.

SUP rental

Bootsverleih Stadtstrand Graz
Marina in Liebenau
Murpromenade Graz-Süd, 8020 Graz
Phone +43 (0)677 63 95 50 96

SUP Sports Club Graz
Phone +43 (0)677 62398706

Tour

From the boathouse of the Graz Rowing Club under the motorway bridge, past the Gössendorf power plant and through the side arms of the river to the Kalsdorf power plant.

Length

8 km

Time

1.5 - 2 hours

Start

Boathouse of the Graz Rowing Club under the highway bridge in Liebenau.

optimal landing

On the left bank of the Mur in front of the Kalsdorf power plant.

On gentle waters towards the winter sun

On its 453 km Styria's main river runs not only through Graz, but also on to Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary as well as to the Croatian-Hungarian border in order to flow into the Drava River. The river sections south of Graz are the ideal starting point for a leisurely paddling tour near the Styrian capital and also well suited for SUP beginners.

We start our tour in Liebenau, the southernmost district of the city, and park our car in the area of the motorway bridge and the rowing club. From here you can easily get on water and you will also find enough space to get your equipment ready to go. As an alternative, it is possible to go under the bridge and to the Auwiesen recreation area about 300 m away, in order to enter the artificial lake from there. There are also sanitary facilities and a SUP rental. In summer you also have the unique opportunity to practice SUP-Yoga and experience the tranquility on the outskirts of the big city.

However, we can hardly wait to stand on the water and therefore get on our boards at the slipway of the fire brigade under the motorway bridge. But be careful: there is a risk of slipping on the ramp! Therefore, it is better to put the boards in the water from the quay. The water is calm here and the current to the south is extremely weak.

We start off to the left and under the bridge because our first destination awaits us 1.8 km from here, just before the Gössendorf power plant. In recent years three barrages have been built in the south of the state capital, which is why the area is now accessible to everyone.

Immediately after the motorway bridge, on our left there is the popular Auwiesen local recreation area, which opened in 2013 and offers the variety of leisure activities. Here you can swim, go for a walk or train at the callisthenics facility. There are also barbecue areas and decks on the 3,500 m² lawn.

The water quality is satisfactory, which has recently even led to the return of some sensitive fish species (e.g. grayling). The river was also awarded the European River Price in 2014. In the following year, the Mur was nominated for the Thiess International Riverprice and took second place.

Along both banks of the river a well-kept gravel path leads down to the village Mellach. It is ideal for cycling, running and walking. Now we finally find ourselves in the quiet zone and only meet a few rowers who are currently training here on the water.

200 m before the Gössendorf power plant there is a staircase on the right bank leading up to the gravel path. Here we have to land just to put the boards back into the water 400 m further down the gravel path after the power station. The stairs leading back to the water about 150 m below the power station are long and steep. Particular caution is required when entering here because increased turbulence is to be expected on the water (eddy, stronger current).

We take advantage of the pleasant momentum and let the water carry us towards the island and its two water channels on the second third of our tour. The further south we go, the more deserted the promenade becomes to the left and right above us. Nobody else is on the water and we can already see the lonely island in the middle of the river approaching. We decide to paddle past it on the right, because after the island we continue straight into the right side arm of the Mur.

It is wider and also deeper than its counterpart on the other bank and we are in the middle of a seemingly untouched floodplain landscape. Here river beginners can practice approaching the eddy in the gentle current because the water is neither deep nor does it wash away the boards quickly if you fall. However, one should keep an eye on the low-hanging tree branches and the bushes by the shore. With increased momentum the water washes us back onto the main river and we paddle towards the bridge that connects the municipalities Kalsdorf and Fernitz.

Here we have to duck our heads and bend down for a moment, and then the last third of the journey lies ahead of us. It's still 2.9 km to the destination, the Kalsdorf power plant, but we'll get out of the water 300 m before that. Before that, however, we have to paddle hard again because the current has become almost zero. We get into a pleasant groove and paddle rhythmically towards the winter sun and the power plant. It doesn't take much to feel comfortable and happy. The serotonin flows and lets us experience a state of flow.

Shortly before the power plant we have to sharpen our eyes to find a suitable landing spot between the bushes on the bank. It is steep, but not very high, but surefootedness is required. This tour clearly makes you come back for more and could be extended further south as long as you like. But we'll save that for another time.

Alternative: The short variant of this tour only leads to the Gössendorf power plant, which was built in 2013. The almost 1.9 km long route (please do not paddle directly to the power plant!) is also good for paddling at a fast pace and turning the laps into a sprint or interval training. On the other hand, you can take a leisurely stroll there - back and forth in an hour.

The post Mur - Graz/Auwiesen to Kalsdorf first appeared on SUP Atlas - Paddle More.