For a pleasant, wooded, off-road run, we recommend the Leechwald Forest Trail, located just east of Graz. The trail follows a wooded ridge-line, opening up to some nice views. The entire trail is a well-signed half-marathon route, with markers every half km. There’s good public transport access. Bonus: the first 5 km are lit!  Note: Hilly — the first 8-9 km are a gradual 200m climb. Thanks to Keith Hauser for inspiring this route.

Start across the street from the Hilmteich/Botanischer Garten light rail station at the pond (which has a nice perimeter path). Follow the way-marked trail south. The first 5 km are a dirt surface and a steady climb. At 1 km there’s the Hilmteichwarte vista point. From km 2-5 the trail follows the Roseggerweg road. At 5 km is the Mariatrost church. Just past 5 km the trail becomes paved, with some sections on-road. At the 7.5 km mark, the trail leaves Roseggerweg and begins a 6 km loop along Schaftalbergweg, returning to that point.

Longer & Shorter Options. Do the full half-marathon route or run any distance out and back!