Mariatroster Bach

The Mariatroster Bach is a small urban stream in Graz, Styria. It starts south of Fasslberg on Weinitzen land and changes names as it flows: Föllinger or Eisnitzbach in the upper reaches, Mariatroster Bach through Mariatrost, then Kroisbach below Hilmteich. The whole route is only a few kilometres long but shows how a city stream can still keep natural stretches. The stream is worth following because its upper section remains near-natural with good water quality. Between Fölling and Tullriegel the original meandering bed survives, and several side brooks join from the Platte hills. A two-kilometre nature trail, the first Grazer Bachlehrpfad, runs beside this middle stretch since 1999. Trout, minnows and bullheads live in the water, and parts are leased by the Styrian Nature Conservation Association to limit harm. Walkers can start near Fölling where the Föllinger Bach still winds through meadows. The path follows the stream past the Tullriegel rock outcrop and under the Platte hills, where side brooks tumble down from the Rettenbach gorge. Further on the channel is more built-up, yet the valley floor stays intact until the stream disappears underground near the music university. The last stretch, Kroisbach, runs hidden beneath streets until it meets the Leonhardbach and becomes the Grazbach.