Around the Hochschwab

From Mariazell via Gusswerk to Hieflau you follow the river Salza on a superb road with beautiful turns along meadows and forests. Near Hieflau keep right and continue to Eisenerz, with the major Styrian iron ore mine - the impressive Erzberg. Here, once a year, the offroad event of the year, the "Erzberg Rodeo", takes place where 1,000 endurists try to ride up the Erzberg.
Continue to Vordernberg and Leoben and don't leave out a special offroad attraction: in Vordernberg turn left to Tragöss and continue to Oberdorf on an unpaved road (not suited for street bikes). Leaving the valley near Bruck an der Mur you get to the original road. In Kapfenberg, turn off left to Aflenz, pass the Seebergsattel with beautiful turns and bends and return to Mariazell.