Mariazell Pilgrimage Route 06

Stage 1
Soboth (1,065 m) – Rothwein (954 m) – Haderniggkogel (1,184 m) – Hadernigg (607 m) – Aibl (375 m) – Eibiswald (361 m)
The first stage leads mostly downhill through forests, offering views of the idyllic Südsteiermark. An ideal start to arrive and settle into the rhythm of the trail. In Eibiswald the trail also intersects with the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine, which connects the Dachstein Glacier with the wine region.
Tip: Eibiswald, with its historic centre, is a junction of several long-distance hiking routes and home to the small but excellent Austrian Alpine Club long-distance hiking museum.

Mariazeller WayStage 1: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Soboth–Eibiswald

Stage 2
Eibiswald (361 m) – Bad Schwanberg (404 m) – Deutschlandsberg (368 m)
Highlights such as Schloss Limberg, Bad Schwanberg with its castle settlement, and the town centre of Deutschlandsberg await as we hike through the wine-growing region of the unique Schilcher.
Tip: Burg Deutschlandsberg with the Museum Archeo Norico

Mariazeller WayStage 2: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Eibiswald-Deutschlandsberg

Stage 3
Deutschlandsberg (368 m) – Wildbach (393 m) – Bad Gams (406 m) – Stainzer Warte (608 m) – Stainz (374 m)
Through vineyards and idyllic villages, this stage leads to Stainz. Along the way, traditional Buschenschänken invite you to experience the culinary delights of the wine region. The unique Schilcher wine from the Blauer Wildbacher grape and the “green gold” of Steiermark, pumpkin seed oil, are at home here.
Tip: Schloss Stainz with its museum complex

Mariazeller WayStage 3: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Deutschlandsberg–Stainz

Stage 4
Stainz (374 m) – St. Stefan ob Stainz (404 m) – Mooskirchen (341 m) – Söding (342 m)
The fourth day is the last short and flat tour before the stages become longer. We hike through enchanting landscapes, passing numerous churches and wayside shrines.
Tip: Buschenschänken around St. Stefan ob Stainz

Mariazeller WayStage 4: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Stainz–Söding

Stage 5
Söding (342 m) – Buchkogel (656 m) – Graz/Eggenberg (371 m)
With first views of the provincial capital, the route leads to Graz-Eggenberg. The UNESCO World Heritage site Schloss Eggenberg and the historic old town provide an exciting contrast to the natural scenery so far. From Eggenberg, you can either walk through the city or take tram line 1, which leads directly to the next stage starting point at the Hilmteich. A visit to Graz’s old town is highly recommended. The tram runs directly across the Hauptplatz.
Tip: Sights of Graz

Mariazeller WayStage 5: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Söding–Graz/Eggenberg

Stage 6
Graz/Hilmteich (377 m) – Mariatrost (470 m) – Rinnegg (672 m) – St. Radegund (717 m) – Schöckl (1,445 m)
We reach the Hilmteich park via tram line 1 and continue from here via the Hilmwarte to the Basilica Mariatrost. From the basilica, we descend the steps, cross Mariatroster Straße, and follow forest and meadow paths to the small village of Rinnegg and onwards to the spa resort of St. Radegund. The ascent to the panoramic mountain leads on foot via a partly rocky trail to the Stubenberghaus, or alternatively by cable car.
Tip: Historic pilgrimage site Basilica Mariatrost

Mariazeller WayStage 6: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Graz/Hilmteich–Schöckl

Stage 7
Schöckl (1,445 m) – Arzberg (579 m) – Passail (653 m) – Ochsenhalt (1,125 m) – Sommeralm (1,404 m)
Across the Passail basin, the route climbs into the Naturpark Almenland. The Sommeralm impresses with open pastures and wide views. Together with the Teichalm, it forms the largest contiguous low-alpine pasture area in Europe.
Tip: Almenland Stollenkäse in Arzberg, multiple world champion cheese

Mariazeller WayStage 7: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Schöckl–Sommeralm

Stage 8
Sommeralm (1,404 m) – Straßegg (1,163 m) – Auf der Schanz (1,171 m)
At the start, the impressive wind turbine on the Sommeralm welcomes us. Via the Haberstallalm, we reach Straßegg, a mountain pass connecting the Murtal and Feistritztal valleys. Here the trail also intersects with the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine. The final stretch leads via the Fürstkogel with its wind turbines to the Schanz at the foot of the Teufelstein.
Tip: Stop at the Almgasthof Stroßeggwirt

Mariazeller WayStage 8: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Sommeralm–Auf der Schanz

From the Schanz, two routes lead to Mariazell:

• Variant A via Mitterdorf im Mürztal and the Hohe Veitsch
• Variant B through the Waldheimat of Peter Rosegger

Stage 9 A
Auf der Schanz (1,171 m) – Stanglalm/Leopold Wittmaier Hut (1,470 m) – Mitterdorf im Mürztal (587 m)
Passing the European Cross built in 1990, the route continues to the Hochpürschtling wind farm and on to the Stanglalm. From here, the path descends, partly steeply, to Mitterdorf im Mürztal.
Tip: Pilgrims’ park at Schloss Pichl

Mariazeller WayStage 9 A: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Auf der Schanz–Mitterdorf im Mürztal

Stage 10 A
Mitterdorf im Mürztal (587 m) – Hundskopfhütte (960 m) – Pretalsattel (1,069 m) – Rotsohlalm (1,429 m)
From Mitterdorf im Mürztal, the route leads via the Hundskopfhütte, in view of the Veitsch pilgrimage cross, to the Pretalsattel, which connects Veitsch and Turnau. A pasture path then takes us to the Rotsohlalm at the foot of the Hohe Veitsch. On the Rotsohlalm the trail once more intersects with the Hiking Trail From Glacier to Wine.
Tip: Stop at the Hundskopfhütte

Mariazeller WayStage 10 A: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Mitterdorf im Mürztal–Rotsohlalm

Stage 11 A
Rotsohlalm (1,429 m) – Niederalpl (1,224 m) – Wetterinalm (1,340 m) – Herrenbodenalm (1,425 m) – Schöneben (1,099 m) – Mooshuben (889 m) – Kreuzberg – Mariazell (868 m)
The final stage leads through the alpine pastures of the Mürzer Oberland to Mariazell. With every step, anticipation of the destination grows – the basilica as the emotional highlight of the journey.
Tip: “Erhol Dich Dorf” Mooshubenwirt

Mariazeller WayStage 11 A: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Rotsohlalm–Mariazell

Stage 9 B
Auf der Schanz (1,171 m) – Peter Rosegger Birthplace (1,144 m) – Alpl (967 m) – Krieglach (608 m)
From the Schanz, we hike towards the Waldheimat, the homeland of the Styrian poet Peter Rosegger. The route continues via the Hochgölk down into the valley to Krieglach, the former residence of the poet.
Tip: Peter Rosegger Geburtshaus

Mariazeller WayStage 9 B: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Auf der Schanz–Krieglach

Stage 10 B
Krieglach (608 m) – Veitschbachtörl (1,406 m) – Schoberstein (1,510 m) – Mürzsteg (782 m)
From Krieglach, the route leads via the Veitschbachtörl and Schoberstein, the highest point of this stage at 1,510 metres, before descending to Mürzsteg, the last stop before reaching Mariazell.
Tip: Stop at the Grundbauerhütte on the Kleinveitschalm

Mariazeller WayStage 10 B: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Krieglach-Mürzsteg

Stage 11 B
Mürzsteg (782 m) – Buchalpenkreuz (1,402 m) – Schöneben (1,099 m) – Mooshuben (891 m) – Mariazell (868 m)
The final stage leads from Mürzsteg to the Buchalpenkreuz, the last major ascent of the Mariazell trail. Via Schöneben and Mooshuben, we arrive in Mariazell after 11 eventful stages.
Tip: After visiting the basilica, take the cable car up to the Bürgeralpe

Mariazeller WayStage 11 B: Route, Duration & Tour-Description Mürzsteg-Mariazell

Connecting routes from Slovenia and Hungary

• From Hungary, one route leads via Vorau and another via Pöllauberg.
• From Slovenia, there are connecting routes from Mureck and from Bad Radkersburg.

Following in the footsteps of the founders of Mariazell, we walk along the Mariazeller Gründerweg / Mariazell Founders’ Trail, which leads from Stift St. Lambrecht to Mariazell.