Cyclists in a yellow flowering meadow; © Tom Lamm

Hotel Kongress Leoben - right at the R2 Mur cycle path

Discover Styria by bike

When you arrive in Leoben via the R2 Murradweg, you will have successfully completed 175 kilometers and almost 2,000 meters in altitude. Congratulations!

Thus it's high time to give your backside a break and recharge your batteries for the rest of the Mur Cycle path at Hotel Kongress. The best way to do this is with a restful night in an air-conditioned room and a hearty buffet breakfast the next morning.

The Mur - facts and figures

The Mur is the longest river in Styria. It flows 290 kilometers through the "green heart of Austria", as Styria is also known. Its source is in Salzburg's Lungau region, 2000 meters above sea level in the Ankogel group in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

As the biggest river in Styria, it first goes north-east through Leoben to Bruck an der Mur. From here, it heads south through the provincial capital of Graz to the Slovenian border. From Spielberg to Bad Radkersburg, it forms the border between Austria and Slovenia. It then flows eastwards through our southern neighboring country, forming the border between Slovenia and Croatia and between Croatia and Hungary. At Legrad on the Croatian-Hungarian border, the Mura flows into the Drava. The total length of the Mura varies between 450 and 470 kilometers.

One of the most beautiful river cycle paths in the Alps - the R2 Mur Cycle Path - is exactly 453 kilometers long. Starting at the Sticklerhütte 1750 meters above sea level, it accompanies the Mur from its source to its mouth.

Hotel Kongress - your accommodation right at the R2

Hotel Kongress has been a very popular stopover for cyclists for many years. The central location makes it easy to explore the city of Leoben on foot. You can safely store your bike in the lockable bike room, which is located in the underground car park below the hotel (P2). The hotel team will be happy to show you the way. The elevator takes you directly to the reception or to your floor.

The reception team would be happy to help you with any questions and concerns you may have about your cycling trip.

In the immediate vicinity of Hotel Kongress you will find, among other things

the main square with its southern flair and gastronomic offerings
the Schwammerlturm, the landmark of the city Leoben
the oldest continuously performing theater in Austria, the city theater Leoben
the shopping center LCS
the popular walking paths along the Mur
the well-kept Leoben parks

So leave your bike for today and immerse yourself in the evening life on the main square. Enjoy a freshly tapped beer in the "Schwarzer Hund" wine bar or in Leoben's oldest brewery restaurant, the Arkadenhof. Treat yourself to some Styrian delicacies and give your tired calves a break. Afterwards, your cozy room awaits you for a restful night's sleep.

Recharge your batteries for the day - breakfast at Hotel Kongress

The breakfast buffet at Hotel Kongress leaves nothing to be desired the next morning. With over 100 delicacies on offer, there is something for everyone. Afterwards, you are ready for a relaxed onward journey towards Graz.

Directions to Hotel Kongress

Coming from Göß, you cycle along the Mareckkai on the left side of the Mur towards the town center. Cross the Waasenbridge to reach the landmark of the mining town of Leoben, the Schwammerltower. After passing through the only city gate that has been preserved to this day, continue straight ahead, cross the main square of Leoben and you will reach Hotel Kongress at the end of Josef Graf-Gasse.

Welcome to Hotel Kongress!

The reception team will be happy to provide you with all the information you need

the lockable bike room
the charging facilities for e-bikes
the breakfast times
tips for shopping and sightseeing in Leoben
your onward journey the next day
specialist sports stores and bike workshops just in case
all other information about your cycle tour

The start of your Mur Cycle Path experience

The starting point of the Mur Cycle Path is the Sticklerhütte, an alpine mountain hut just a few kilometers below the source of the Mur. Starting your personal Mur Cycle Path experience at the Sticklerhütte may require some organizational preparation. But afterwards you can proudly report that you have completed the entire route. Information on how to get to the hut and the cycling infrastructure is best obtained directly from the hut staff.

Land and people - towns and communities on the R2

Sankt Michael im Lungau

The start is somewhat easier from the first larger town along the course of the Mur - St. Michael im Lungau. The market town with 3,500 inhabitants is easy to reach by public transport and offers many accommodations that are suitable as a starting point for the Mur Cycle Path. It is around 25 kilometers from there to the Sticklerhütte.

Murau

In the capital of the district of the same name, a visit to Obermurau Castle, as well as a visit to the local Murau brewery is a must. Every summer, daring ladies and gentlemen plunge from a bridge around 14 meters deep into the Mur at Murcapulco.

Judenburg

Judenburg's landmark is the almost 76-meter-high town tower, which offers a beautiful panoramic view over the Aichfeld. Today, one of the most modern planetariums in Europe is located 50 meters above the ground.

Knittelfeld

The town of just under 13,000 inhabitants has always been known as a "railroad town". A repair workshop was set up here as early as 1918. ÖBB operates one of the most modern wheelset workshops in Europe in Knittelfeld. A railroad museum, a large model railway layout and the Slovenian Railways steam locomotive on display at the station complete the experience.

Spielberg (Red Bull Ring)

A detour to the Red Bull Ring is highly recommended for motorsport enthusiasts. You can reach the Ring in just under 15 minutes from the R2 via the Kattigarweg. If you're lucky, there might be a racing event taking place and you'll get that racing feeling up close to accompany your coffee break.

Leoben

Welcome to the mining town of Leoben - the home of Hotel Kongress and your perfect stage stop on the R2 Murradweg. With 25,000 inhabitants, Leoben is the second largest city in Styria and is home to the Montan-University Leoben, one of the best and best-known educational institutions in Austria. Leoben is also home to many international companies. VOESTalpine, Mayr Melnhof Holz and AT&S, among others, are based here.

Cyclists particularly appreciate the main square with its southern flair and the city's wide range of restaurants. This is a great place to take a break.

Bruck an der Mur

The neighboring town of Leoben also has one of the largest inner-city squares in Austria. Among other things, the Kornmesser house and the iron fountain are located there. The train station is an important transportation hub in Styria. East of the city center, the Mur, and with it the R2 Murradweg, changes direction from east to south.

Graz

The Styrian capital is the second largest city in Austria. The old town and Eggenberg Palace are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. A visit to the Schlossberg with the Graz Clock Tower is possible even with tired legs, thanks to the Schlossberg funicular. Sports enthusiasts can climb the Schlossberg via the 260 steps starting at Schlossbergplatz.

Spielfeld

Most drivers are familiar with Spielfeld as the largest border crossing point between Austria and Slovenia. On the way south, the traffic jam at the border was once an integral part of the journey. Since Slovenia joined the Schengen area in 2007, traffic has been flowing here without delay.

Bad Radkersburg

The R2 Mur Cycle Path leaves Styria and Austria in the spa town of Bad Radkersburg. From here, it continues for another 104 kilometers to Legrad, where the Mur ends into the Drau. For many cyclists, the journey on two wheels ends here. The town's thermal spa invites you to follow up your physical activity with a few days of relaxation. But even if the tour continues, a dip in the 60-degree thermal water is extremely beneficial.

Pack your bike and off you go to the Hotel Kongress in Leoben. Your cycling vacation is already one step closer or you can book your desired date directly online.