St. Rupert Route: St. Gilgen - Strobl

This stage starts in the state of Salzburg and also ends in the state of Salzburg, but in between, we briefly enter the state of Upper Austria. This detour begins immediately before St. Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut and ends shortly before the stage town Strobl.
Shortly after the start at Brunnwinkl, we have the choice to make an 800-meter detour left to the European Monastery Gut Aich and then return to Brunnwinkl, or to continue walking directly along Lake Wolfgang. This Benedictine monastery—an exception on the pilgrimage routes—does not date back to the Middle Ages but was founded only in 1993. Its aim is to be a symbol and model for the evangelization of Europe by promoting mutual understanding among nations through improving dialogue between different religions. The monks invite participation in prayer times and to receive the pilgrim's blessing.
The path along Lake Wolfgang, which was formerly called «Abersee», is a pleasure for pilgrims and other hikers. Behind Fürberg, we climb up the steep, medieval Wolfgang pilgrimage path with Stations of the Cross and several chapels to Falkenstein with the Falkenstein church. Shortly after, St. Wolfgang was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe in the Middle Ages, and it is still a popular excursion or vacation destination today. An inn there became immortalized by a song.