Via Sacra: Stage 4/4: Türnitz - Mariazell

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 32,70 km
Duration: 12:00 h
Ascent: 1287 m elevation gain
Descent: 885 m elevation gain

Türnitz - Annaberg - Joachimsberg - Wienerbruck - Josefsberg - Mitterbach - St. Sebastian - Mariazell

Starting point of the tour: Türnitz
Tour destination: Mariazell

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 32,70 km
Duration: 12:00 h
Ascent: 1287 m elevation gain
Descent: 885 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
6/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point466 m
Highest point1016 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

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Description

From Türnitz, the Via Sacra leads through the "Long Forest" of the Türnitz Gorge to Siebenbrünn (baroque Way of the Cross station and chapel). Pilgrims used to refresh themselves at the hermitage. From here, a path with bridges and footbridges leads to the foot of the Annaberg, the first "Holy Mountain" on the Via Sacra. Shortly after the Annaberger Urlauberkreuz, a steep final section of the path to the pilgrimage site begins. Pilgrims can enjoy their first view of the Ötscher at the pilgrimage church of St. Anna. The plateau of the Mariazellerland is reached in Annaberg (04:45 h). A magnificent panoramic view of the mountains of Lower Austria and Styria accompanies the pilgrims from now on over the "Holy Mountains" to Mariazell. From Annaberg, the route goes downhill - past the cemetery - and along the Way of the Cross designed by Prof. Sepp Gamsjäger in monotype. Above the main road at Gasthof Schachinger is the "Annabründl" with a baroque Pietà. The Lassingtalweg trail takes you to the Joachimskapelle chapel on the second "Holy Mountain" (01:45 h) and to Wienerbruck. Away from the main road, you hike up the Josefsberg, the third "Holy Mountain" (01:30 h). Murals in the vicarage show the work of the lumberjacks in the forests around the Ötscher in 1830. The route now continues to Mitterbach on the Lower Austrian-Styrian border (01:30 h). The Sebastiani Chapel on the gentle "fourth holy mountain" is already in Styria. From here, you follow the picturesque Sebastianiweg with its rosary wayside shrines to Mariazell (02:30 h). In order to enjoy the arrival in Mariazell and the atmosphere of Austria's most important Marian pilgrimage site in peace and quiet, we recommend an overnight stay in Mariazell. Return to Vienna with the "Mariazeller Autobus" or with the Mariazellerbahn to St. Pölten.

Variant Falkenschlucht: From Türnitz there is the option of following the Lower Austrian Pilgrims' Trail to Ulreichsberg, where you meet up with the Vienna Pilgrims' Trail (Türnitz-Mariazell 10:00 h, 29.5 km). Alternatively, you can return to Annaberg via a marked path over the Ebenbaueralm. (Türnitz - Annaberg via Ebenbaueralm 05:30 h.)

safety instructions Walking times: The walking times given were calculated based on the German Alpine Club table. These are pure walking times, rounded to the nearest quarter of an hour.
Equipment Appropriate hiking equipment is required. Additionally, it should be noted that this is a multi-day hike.More information also at: https://www.viasacra.at/10-tipps-fuer-einsteiger
Getting there From Vienna:South Motorway A2 towards Linz – continuation on Vienna Outer Ring Motorway A21 towards Linz/St. Pölten – continuation on West Motorway A1 towards St. Pölten – exit St. Pölten South – continuation on Mariazell Federal Road B20 towards Mariazell until Türnitz.Direct connection Mariazell bus from Vienna/South Tyroler Platz.
Editor’s tip Sights: Chapel Siebenbrünn with pilgrim fountain, pilgrimage church Annaberg, Gamsburg by Prof. Sepp Gamsjäger in Annaberg, church Joachimsberg, parish church Josefsberg, parsonage Josefsberg with Seccomalereien from the work life of the woodcutters (viewable by groups upon prior arrangement), Catholic and Protestant parish churches in Mitterbach, Gemeindealpe, Sebastian Chapel, Basilica Mariazell, Holy Fountain, Mariazell Local Heritage House, Lebzelterei & wax drawing shop Pirker and erLEBZELTEREI Pirker (demonstration bakery), Bürgeralpe, and much more.

Recommended period

Mostviertel Tourismus GmbH
Töpperschloss Neubruck, Neubruck 2/10, 3283 Scheibbs
T +43/7482/20 444
info@viasacra.at
www.viasacra.at

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026