Level of difficulty 4 paddles |  Gastronomy 2 pitchers |  Length 18 km |  Time 2.5 - 3.5 hours

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Get to know the many faces of the river Mur within a few hours - from easy white water in the north to chilled paddling through the city of Graz to the solitude of the quiet sections further south. This diverse route is an optimal change for adventurers with river experience.

General information

• Styria tourist information
• Graz tourist information
• Styria Card
• Kalsdorf Wikipedia
• Graz Wikipedia
• 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 has classic moving water hazards, 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 even on otherwise tame sections.

In the city center there are two smaller rapids, which should be paddeld kneeling or sitting if in doubt. Likewise, bridge piers should be avoided over a large area.

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.

On the island (approx. 1.3 km) after the Gössendorf power plant, expect increased eddies. The same applies to the old arms to the left and right of it. You should only paddle here if the water level is high enough. In general, the right side arm is better suited for this because 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.

From the center of Graz it is best to drive to the main train station and take the street Bahnhofgürtel B 67 northbound. This street later becomes Wiener Strasse. After about 2.8 km you will see a Spar supermarket on the right-hand side at the intersection with Exerzierplatzstrasse. Turn right into Exerzierplatzstrasse and after another 480 m turn right again into Augasse street. After another 400 m, there is a turn-off on the left in the direction of Mur to a housing estate (side street also marked as Augasse). The Mur River flows behind the apartment buildings at the end of the street.

Parking

Start Graz: It is best to look for a suitable parking space in the Augasse street. Make sure you're not in a private parking area.

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 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 and swim at suitable places.

In the city area, the beautiful water access in the Augarten Park. or the newly built port in Maria Caesar Park in Liebenau should be mentioned. The recreation area Auwiesen, just after the motorway bridge, is a bit out of town but also very popular. A small artificial lake was created here, which is still a little warmer although it is fed by the Mur river.

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!

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 area around the Pongratz-Moore-Steg footbridge in the district of Gösting you paddle through the city of Graz, past two weirs and down to the Kalsdorf power plant.

Length

18 km

Time

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Start

At the Pongratz-Moore-Steg footbridge above the Calvary in the district of Gösting.

optimal landing

Along the left river bank just before the Kalsdorf power plant.

Tour de Mur

The Mur, Styria's main river, also known as the Styrian Amazon, not only runs through the Styrian state capital of Graz on its 453 km long course, but also on to Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary, just to flow into the Drave at the Croatian-Hungarian border. The river is probably one of the most beautiful and varied in the country and has suitable sections for all levels of ability.

What was one of the most polluted water veins in Austria in the 1970s and 1980s has developed into a true paradise for countless water sports in recent years. Today the water quality is very 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. The following year, the Mur was nominatetd for the Thiess International Riverprice and took second place.

We treat ourselves to a varied SUP tour, which will first lead us through Graz, Austria's second largest city, and within a very short time to partly untouched nature outside the city. Over a distance of eighteen kilometers, the water will take us from the northern district of Gösting to the southern municipality of Kalsdorf and offer us enough cool rest stops in between.

If you look at the satellite map of Graz, you might be inclined to set sail further north - in Andritz Weinzödl because that way you could enjoy another two kilometers of SUP action. However, since this section directly after the Weinzödl power plant is a bird sanctuary, it may not be paddled on. However, a project is being worked on to ensure paddling on this natural jewel with specially trained guides, who will also provide information about the area. So we get on the water at the Pongratz-Moore-Steg footbridge leading over the Mur and connecting the districts of the city called Goesting and Andritz situated on both sides of the river.

It's relatively easy to get down to the water via the eastern bank promenade and you can stand on your board in peace and quiet in the backwater. We point our nose upstream and let the water gently turn us towards the city center. Undoubtedly, a river tour offers many more experiences and a touch of adventure than paddling on flat water. The Mur in particular is constantly changing, as trees, branches or small rocks can appear in different places depending on the water level, making every trip a unique experience.

As 'exotics' we quickly attract attention in the leisurely flowing river and today we are sure to become a photo motif for many passers-by who will wave at us from the promenade or the bridges. The center of Graz is still about two kilometers ahead of us and we feel like we are paddling through a meadow landscape. There are different theories to explain the name of the river. According to the Indo-European language root, Mur means something like “standing water” or “swamp”. This is definitely out of the question here in the north of Graz.

Depending on the water level, white water of level 1 - 2 awaits the paddler in a few places, so paddling here is not for complete beginners. But with some flowing water experience and knowledge of the river it can be navigated without any major problems. Nevertheless, it is advisable to tackle this section with a guide on your first trip.

Since both banks of the river are lushly overgrown, you hardly notice that you are actually paddling through Austria's fastest growing conurbation. With almost 290,000 inhabitants, the number of stand-up paddlers up here is quite manageable today. Ambitious paddlers can only be regularly seen practicing in the congestion zones further south. But it will still take a while to get there.

The optimal combination of a pleasant river speed, calm watercourse and easily accessible banks also enables SUP beginners to practice the correct paddling technique and approaching eddy water under safe conditions and under professional supervision. Even for us experienced paddlers, this is the ideal playground to hone our technique, since the fundamentals in particular determine the level of performance on the water.

We pass the first sight after a few hundred meters as we paddle past the Graz Calvary. It is located near the right bank on the so-called Austein, on the summit of which a crucifixion group and several chapels were built in the 17th century.

A little later, after a few long river bends, we already see the 474 m high Castle Hill (Schloßberg) on our left and in front of us. Together with the 13th century Clock Tower (Uhrturm) it forms the symbol of the city and could cause some confusion for non-residents. Curiously, the hands on the face of the clock tower are applied vice versa, so that the small hand shows the minutes and the large hand shows the hours. The reason for that is that back then it seemed to be particularly important to read the hours correctly, even from a distance.

Since the city stretches evenly on both sides of the Mur, countless bridges and footbridges lead across the river. In the city area we will be paddling through eleven east-west connections over the next half hour.

At the latest after passing under the Kepler Bridge, the first white water section of this tour, we have arrived in the center of the Styrian capital. There is a lot of activity on the streets and sidewalks above and we relax and observe everything from a fish's perspective - upwards. Beautiful weeping willows, some of which tower over the water, behind which there are architectural works of art from times long past next to modern design buildings. Graz knows how to skillfully integrate tradition and modernity while preserving its face.

At the artificial Murinsel Island - a floating platform with a café and a small amphitheater - it is best to paddle past on the right and keep enough distance on both sides, because to the left you would be surprised by some rocks, which you unfortunately only see very late and which can hardly be avoided if you don't know about them in advance. Now the adventure begins. The thoroughly innovative and eye-catching construction of the Murinsel was built between 1999 and 2002 and, together with the nearby Kunsthaus Art Gallery, was opened as part of the European Capital of Culture year 2003. Both buildings form the new architectural landmarks of the city, so to speak, and are worth a few snapshots, especially in the evening due to their great lighting.

After the Murinsel the water becomes choppy again. The ideal line runs towards the middle of the river and we ride towards the next bridge, managing white water level 2. We also pass by the City Beach, a popular after-work and party location in summer time. Every year, the walls under the bridge are painted with new, colorful graffities, giving each summer its own backdrop. In this area, keep to the right in any case to avoid the standing wave on the left under the bridge, which can sometimes form a quite strong roller (which can be clearly seen in the satellite image). However, if the right side inspires too much respect for you, you can paddle over it while kneeling and stay dry. Between June and August the City Beach, a popular after-work and party location in summer time is located directly next to the roller. Every year, the walls under the bridge are painted with new, colorful graffities, giving each summer its own backdrop. In this area, keep to the right in any case to avoid the standing wave on the left under the bridge, which can sometimes form a quite strong roller (which can be clearly seen in the satellite image). However, if the right side inspires too much respect for you, you can paddle over it while kneeling and stay dry.

After that it gets really comfortable, the flow speed decreases, the water becomes calmer and navigable for everyone. We pass one bridge after the other and enjoy the gentle ride, because the most action-packed water is now behind us. Along with the city's central park, the Augartenpark is the most popular park in the city next to the Stadtpark (central park) and also scores with good infrastructure and many opportunities for sports and relaxation. In the course of the power plant construction (2017 - 2020), structural changes were also made to the riverbank, which is why there is now a bay here which is ideal for boating and even invites you to swim if you want to enjoy the cool water.

We are slowly leaving the city center and paddling to the southern outskirts of Graz - Jakomini, Puntigam and Liebenau. The water is getting slower and we have to use more muscle power for our paddle strokes. After about six kilometers we reach the former Soap Factory Graz in the district of Liebenau, whose high brick chimney is clearly visible from afar. The poudrette factory, built in 1872, is now used successfully as an event center and is also a unique architectural feature worth seeing.

Adjacent to this you will find another bar on the left-hand side - the town beach is part of the Maria Caesar Park which also offers sports fields, a small marina and extensive access to the reservoir. This was also created in 2020 in the course of the power plant construction. The boat rental by the water offers SUPs, kayaks, rowing boats and water bikes - there is something for everyone. The area is developing into the new leisure hotspot in the south of the city.

In front of us we can see the newly built barrage of the Mur power station. We paddle the remaining 600 m towards it and land shortly beforehand on the left bank to carry our SUPs around the dam wall. The exit goes over the slightly rising embankment, leads over the cycle path and through a small park straight on to the Olympiawiese Meadow under the power plant. There is a good re-entry point here from where the tour can continue. After we have left the Puntigamer Bridge behind us, we paddle out of the city area and approach the local recreation area Auwiesen a few kilometers down the river.

If you get hungry or thirsty on the way, you can land on the west bank (on the right in the direction of travel) and enjoy some fish on a stick (called Steckerlfisch) and Puntigamer beer while letting your eyes wander over the river. Or you can paddle a little further, past the boathouse of the local rowing club and under the motorway bridge through to Auwiesen, a local recreation area created in 2013 with an area of almost 3500 m². It can be reached from the water via an artificially created side arm, which leads into a small bay with sunbathing areas, barbecue areas and sanitary facilities. Here, too, on beautiful summer days there is a lot of activity going on: swimming, people playing music, barbecues and campfires until late at night. Occasionally, however, there are a lot of mosquitoes (horseflies), which can sometimes spoil your fun. So don't forget insect spray!

The water is now as smooth as glass and we paddle towards the Gössendorf power plant, almost two km ahead of us and which was put into operation in 2012. In recent years, three barrages have been built in the south of the state capital, that's why the area is now accessible to everyone.

A well-prepared gravel path leads down to the village of Mellach along both banks of the river and it is ideal for cycling, running and walking. We have finally arrived in the quiet zone and only meet a few rowers, who are getting their workouts in 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 land just to put the boards back in the water 300 m further down after the power station. You can walk over the dam wall to cross the river. This also makes it possible to take a short break and inspect the next section of the tour from above. The stairs, which lead back to the water about 150 m below the power station, are long and steep. Particular caution is required when entering the water and increased turbulence is to be expected on the water (eddy, slightly stronger current). It is definitely not wrong to carry each SUP down with two people and thus protect the paddler and his equipment.

We enjoy the pleasant momentum of the first few meters and let the water carry us south on the second third of our tour. The further we paddle, the more deserted the promenade becomes to the left and right above us. Soon we are alone on the water and see a lonely island approaching in the middle of the river. It was probably created in the course of a river straightening and is flanked on both sides by backwaters of the river.

We decide to paddle by on the right, because after the island we continue straight into the right arm of the Mur. This is wider and also deeper than its counterpart on the other bank and we are in the middle of a beautiful and seemingly untouched floodplain landscape. Even we locals didn't know anything about this area until we researched this tour on the internet.

Home is often the place you have least explored. 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-growing tree branches and the bushes on the shore. After a few minutes, in a long left turn, we are washed back onto the main river with increased momentum and we paddle towards the bridge that connects the municipalities of Kalsdorf and Fernitz situated on both sides of the river.

Here you have to duck your head and bend down for a moment! After that, the last part of the journey is ahead of us. It's still 2.9 km to the destination, the Kalsdorf power plant, but we have to paddle hard again to get there because the current has almost stopped. Here we are, so to speak, far away from the SUP mainsteam and we get into a pleasant groove, paddling rhythmically towards the 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 where every paddle stroke is perfect and you become one with the board. Now every word would be too much and would destroy these magical moments.

Shortly before we hit the power plant we have to sharpen our eyes to find a suitable exit point between the bushes on the bank. It is steep, but not very high, but surefootedness is required. We find what we are looking for about 300 m before the dam wall and land on the left bank. Wow, this tour clearly makes you want to come back for more and it could be extended further down towards Slovenia. But we'll save that for another time.

Today we were able to experience a lot on the Mur, from the cozy flat water of the reservoirs to the light whitewater. Also the sightseeing in the city center of Graz free of charge, so to speak. This river definitely offers pure joy. SUP on the Styrian Mur, c'est l'aMURe!