Bike Pilgrimage from Semmering via Neuberg an der Mürz to Mariazell

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 66,0 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 700 hm

Downhill 670 hm

Highest point 1169 m

Following the Semmering Cycle Route and the Mürztal Cycle Route, this bike pilgrimage route leads through Mürzzuschlag, the historic Upper Mürz Valley, past alpine pastures and traditional pilgrimage sites to Mariazell.

Supported by the Austrian Federal Government, the Province of Styria and the European Union (LEADER).

The bike pilgrimage route begins at the Parish Church in Semmering, which can be reached from Lower Austria via the World Heritage Cycle Route. Following the Semmering Cycle Route (R46), the route descends into the Hochsteiermark to Mürzzuschlag, an important railway town and renowned museum destination.

From there, the Mürztal Cycle Route (R5) follows a former railway line to Neuberg an der Mürz, where Neuberg Minster is one of the cultural highlights of the journey. Continuing upstream through the Mürz Valley, the route reaches Mürzsteg, home to Mürzsteg Hunting Lodge, which has served as the Austrian Federal President's second official residence and summer residence since 1947.

From Frein onwards, the character of the route changes noticeably. Following mountain bike trails, the route winds through forests and peaceful alpine meadows to Mooshuben, a traditional pilgrimage stop. After a scenic descent into the Hall Valley (Halltal), the final climb leads to Mariazell, where the Basilica of Mariazell provides a fitting spiritual conclusion to the pilgrimage.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Graz:
Take the S6 Semmering Expressway and exit at Spital am Semmering. Turn left onto the main road, which leads directly to Semmering.

From Vienna:
Take the S6 Semmering Expressway and exit at Maria Schutz. Follow the main road to Semmering.

The route begins at the Semmering Parish Church (1,021 m) and initially follows the Semmering Cycle Route (R46) downhill through Steinhaus and Spital am Semmering to Mürzzuschlag (670 m). After passing through the town centre and crossing the River Mürz, the route joins the Mürztal Cycle Route (R5).

From here, the trail follows the river upstream along a former railway line via Kapellen to Neuberg an der Mürz (730 m). A short detour to Neuberg Minster is well worth the effort. The route then continues comfortably on dedicated cycle paths alongside the main road to Mürzsteg (782 m).

From Mürzsteg onwards, the route continues on the local road without a separate cycle path towards Frein. Shortly before reaching the village, a scenic detour around a tunnel via Totes Weib follows a particularly beautiful stretch along the River Mürz.

In Frein an der Mürz (864 m), the route leaves the asphalt road and follows a mountain bike trail towards Dürrieglalm. The gravel road climbs steadily to the unstaffed Höhenreithalm, the highest point of the route at 1,169 metres. From there, the route descends on gravel roads via Schöneben (1,099 m) to the cycle junction at Gußwerk/Mooshuben.

Turn right here and climb once more to the rest area at the Mooshuben Pilgrims' Cross (939 m). The route then follows quiet asphalt roads through Mooshuben before descending into the Unteres Halltal (792 m). Following the River Salza, the trail initially continues gently downstream before tackling the final ascent in long, sweeping switchbacks to Mariazell and Kreuzberg.

The final kilometres are an easy ride through Mariazell (868 m), where the bike pilgrimage concludes in front of the Basilica of Mariazell.

From the Pilgrimage Church of Maria Schutz in Lower Austria, it is only about 10 kilometres to the starting point of the bike pilgrimage route at Semmering – an ideal way to connect two historic pilgrimage destinations by bike.

Travel by train to Semmering railway station.

For timetables and journey planning, visit ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) or the Styrian Transport Association (Verbund Linie Steiermark).

The BusBahnBim app from the Styrian Transport Association makes journey planning easier than ever. Simply enter a destination, address, stop or point of interest to access timetable information for bus, train and tram connections throughout Austria.

The app is available free of charge for Android and iOS devices via Google Play and the App Store.

For a convenient return journey to the railway stations in Bruck an der Mur or Mürzzuschlag, use the Bike Taxi Mariazell. The service can accommodate up to 8 passengers and is available by advance booking only.

Taxi Schweighofer
T: +43 660 8524892
E: taxischweighofer@gmail.com

Parking is available in the Semmering Pass area.

Tourismusverband Hochsteiermark
Herzog-Ernst-Gasse 2
8600 Bruck an der Mur
T: +43 3862 55020