Geography Of Murau

Murau is located in the Mur river valley, in the mountainous region of Upper Styria. It is about 140 km (87 km) southwest of the Styrian city of Graz and 280 km (174 mi) southwest of Austria’s capital Vienna.

Murau occupies 76.66 km (29.60 sq mi) at an altitude of 829 m (2,720 ft) above sea level. Situated between the Gurktal Alps and the Lower Tauern mountain range, two of the largest mountain ranges in the Eastern Alps,

Murau borders the following districts and areas:

To the north: Tamsweg District in Salzburg
To the east: Judenburg District and Murtal District in Styria
To the south: Sankt Veit an der Glan District and Feldkirchen District in Carinthia
To the west: Spittal an der Drau District in Carinthia

Murau can be easily accessible from various transport points of view. Two nearest airports are Graz Airport in Styria and Klagenfurt Airport in Carinthia. Murau has easy access to nearby towns and cities via consistent bus routes. It can be accessed by car via the B97 Mur Valley Road, B96 Gurk Valley Road and B95 Turrach Road. The Mur Valley Railway connects the town of Murau with neighboring towns and offers beautiful views. Although navigation may not be easily available, the Mur River offers opportunities for sports such as kayaking, canoeing and rafting.

Terrain and Topography

Murau features a diverse and varied geography, including the level and productive Mur Valley, as well as the steep and rugged mountain slopes. The village is surrounded by high land and dense forests, which offer wide views of the landscape. At 1,872 m (6,142 ft), Stolzalpe is the highest mountain in the municipal limits. At 780 m (2,559 ft), the Mur River has the lowest elevation.

Mountain Ranges

Terrain and Topography

Murau lies within the two main mountain groupings of the Eastern Alps, the Lower Tauern and Gurktal Alps. Comprising the Schladming Tauern, the Rottenmann and Wölz Tauern and the Niedere Tauern, the Lower Tauern is a subset of the East-Central Alps and comprising many mountain ranges including the Nock Mountains, the Metnitz Mountains and the Seetaler Alps, the Gurktal Alps are a subgroup of the Southern Limestone Alps.

Some of the key mountain peaks in the vicinity of Murau are:

Kreischberg: The Kreischberg peak is part of the Schladming Tauern group of the Lower Tauern mountain range. At 2,118 m (6,948 ft), the peak is the highest summit in the Murau district. The renowned ski resort Kreischberg hosted the FIS Elite Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing World Championships in 2015.
Frauenalpe: Rising in the Rottenmann and Wölz Tauern group of the Lower Tauern mountain range, Frauenalpe is a ridge. The highly regarded ski and hiking destination Frauenalpe offers stunning views of the Gurktal Alps and the Mur Valley.
Stolzalpe: Stolzalpe Peak falls in the Nock Mountains region of the Gurktal Alps range. At 1,872 m (6,142 ft), the summit is the highest point within the boundaries of the municipality of Murau. Famous for horse riding and hiking, Stolzalpe also has a sanatorium and a weather station.
Grebenzen: Part of the larger Gurktal Alps range, Grebenzen is a well-known summit in the Seetaler Alps. The highest point in the municipality of Sankt Lambrecht, the mountain is 1,892 m (6,207 ft). Popular for skiing and hiking, Grebenzen has a Benedictine monastery and a natural park.

Some of the notable summits in the vicinity of Murau are:

Gstoder: Found in the Lower Tauern mountain range in the Rottenmann and Wölz Tauern group, Gstoder is a peak at 2,140 meters (7,021 feet), the summit of this peak is the highest point in the Sölk Pass area. Famous for climbing and hiking, Gstoder offers stunning views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range and the Dachstein Massif.
Zirbitzkogel: A peak in the Seetaler Alps subgroup of the Gurktal Alps range, the Zirbitzkogel At 2,399 meters (7,861 ft), the mountain is the highest peak in the Seetaler Alps. Popular for skiing and hiking, Zirbitzkogel has a nature park and a mountain house.
Rettlkirchspitze: A peak in the Nock mountain group of the Gurktal Alps, the Rettlkirchspitze is the highest mountain in the Nock Mountains, the summit reaching 2,441 meters (8,009 ft). Hiking and skiing in Rettlkirchspitze enjoy stunning views of the Karawanks and Gurktal Alps.

Valleys and Basins

Terrain and Topography

Murau lies in the long and narrow Mur Valley, which runs alongside the Mur River. Rising like a large valley in Styria, the Mur Valley connects Upper Styria, Lower Styria and Western Styria. The Tamsweg Basin, the Murau Basin, the Judenburg Basin and the Leoben Basin, among other sub-valleys and basins, divide the Mur Valley.

There are several valleys of note near Murau, including:

Tamsweg Basin: Within the Mur Basin, the Tamsweg Basin is a smaller basin situated within the Schladming Tauern and Niedere Tauern mountains. The width of the area is about 10 kilometers (6 miles), while its length is about 40 kilometers. The elevation of the area is about 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). Comprising the towns of Tamsweg, Ramingstein and St. Andrä, the northernmost part of the Mur Valley
Murau Basin: The Murau Basin is a sub-valley of the Mur Valley that lies between the Rottenmann and Wölz Tauern and the Nock Mountains ranges. It is about 30 km (19 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide and has an elevation of about 800 m (2,625 ft). The Murau Basin is the central part of the Mur Valley and is home to the town of Murau and several villages, such as Laßnitz, Stolzalpe, and Triebendorf.
Judenburg Basin: Comprising a smaller basin within the Mur basin, the Judenburg Basin lies between the Seckau Alps and the Gleinalpe Mountains. With a height of about 700 meters (2,297 feet), the area has dimensions of approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6 miles). Comprising the city of Judenburg and many neighboring towns such as Fohnsdorf, Zeltweg and Spielberg, the Judenburg Basin, which lies at the southernmost point of the Mur Valley.

Geological Features

Murau is located in an area of great geological richness and complexity with different types of rocks and formations. Near Murau there are several geological features including:

The Mur-Mürz-Furche: Following the course of the Mur and Mürz rivers, the geological depression known as Mur-Mürz-Furche appears. The sediments and volcanic rocks found in Mur-Mürz-Furche are valuable mineral resources, including iron, coal and salt.
The Tauern Window: The geological formation known as the Tauern Window exposes ancient rocks from the Lower Tauern mountain range. The upward movement and consequent weathering of the rocks at the top of the Hohe Tauern mountain range results in its development. The metamorphic and igneous rocks that started the Alpine orogeny – including granite, marble and gneiss – are shown in the Tauern Window.
The Nock Mountains: Comprising a group of gently rounded mountains, the Nock Mountains are a component of the Gurktal Alps. These formations are mainly composed of crystalline rocks – most especially gneiss and granite – which are covered by a thin layer of limestone. Rising in the Eastern Alps, the oldest mountains in the region, the Nock Mountains boast an unusual variety of plant and animal life.

Flora and Fauna

Geological Features

Murau is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species as it is located in an area marked by high biogeographic diversity and abundance. The area around Murau has a diverse range of plant and animal life.

The Mur Valley Forest: Spreading across the lower slopes of the Mur Valley, the Mur Valley Forest is a diverse forest. Deciduous trees, including beech, oak, and maple, as well as coniferous species, including spruce, spruce, and pine, make up the forest. Woodpeckers, deer, foxes, lizards and butterflies, among other species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, are abundant in the Mur Valley Forest.
The Alpine Meadow: On the higher slopes of the Mur Valley, the meadow known as Alpine Meadow sprawls with alpine roses, edelweiss and gentians, among other grasses, herbs and flowers that make up this habitat’s varied mix. Eagles, marmots, chamois, snakes and bees, among other species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, abound in the Alpine Meadow.
The Nock Mountains Biosphere Reserve: Comprising the Nock Mountains and parts of the Mur Valley, the Nock Mountains Biosphere Reserve is a protected area. Included in the European Natura 2000 network and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is among the rare and threatened species of flora and animals, the alpine salamander, the golden eagle and the slipper orchid find sanctuary in the Nock Mountains Biosphere Reserve.

Bodies of Water

Geological Features

Murau is in a hydrologically diverse and abundant area, with different types of water bodies. Several bodies of water near Murau consist of:

Lakes: Murau has several artificial and natural lakes that offer sufficient opportunities for both recreation and scenic encounters. Near Murau there are several lakes:
- Rantensee: Found in the Schladming Tauern mountain range, Rantensee is a natural lake at 1,700 m (5,577 ft). The item has dimensions of approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) long, 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) wide and 20 meters (66 feet).
- Stolzalpsee: Situated on the Stolzalpe mountain at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,249 ft) is the artificial reservoir known as Stolzalpsee. The item is about 0.5 km (0.3 miles) long, 0.2 km (0.1 miles) wide, and a depth of 15 meters (49 feet). Forming part of the Murau hydropower station, Stolzalpsee offers panoramic views of the Mur Valley and the Gurktal Alps.
- Auerlingsee: Situated among the Nock Mountains range at an altitude of 1,200 m (3,937 ft) is the natural body of water of Auerlingsee. (0.1 miles) wide and 10 meters (33 feet). Famous for offering swimming, fishing and hiking, among other activities
Scenic Views: Murau features several viewpoints offering wonderful views of the nearby countryside and bodies of water. These stunning locations around Murau are:
- Kreischberg Panorama: On the Kreischberg mountain, Panorama Kreischberg is a viewpoint at 2,000 m (6,562 ft). Together with the Nock mountain range, the location offers a wide and unobstructed view over the Mur Valley, the Rottenmann mountain range and Wölz Tauern.
- Frauenalpe Viewpoint: On the Frauenalpe mountain, the Frauenalpe Viewpoint is at 1,800 m (5,906 ft). The location offers a panoramic view of the Murau Basin along with the magnificent Gurktal Alps mountain range and Murau Castle.
- Stolzalpe Viewpoint: On Stolzalpe Mountain, Stolzalpe Viewpoint is at 1,700 m (5,577 ft). It offers a panoramic view of the Stolzalpsee, the Mur Valley and the Seetaler Alps mountain range.
Rivers and Streams: Murau falls in the basin of the river Mur, a well-known watercourse in Styria and Austria. The Mur River meanders through the Mur Valley and offers opportunities for water sports including kayaking, canoeing and rafting. Other tributaries and streams such as the Rantenbach, the Laßnitzbach and the Triebendorferbach converge on the river Mur and flow through Murau.