Hungarian Mariazell Pilgrimage Route via Pöllauberg

We begin in Wörth, where the Marian Way from Hungary reaches Burgenland. On this variant, our first major stop is Pöllauberg, now one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Steiermark. From Pöllauberg, we continue towards Miesenbach. The surrounding landscape is stunning, and the Fischbacher Alps are renowned far beyond the region. From here, we turn away from Miesenbach and later Fischbach, heading towards the Stanglalm – more precisely to the Leopold Wittmaier Hut. From there, the route leads via Mitterdorf im Mürztal towards Veitsch, which presents one final alpine challenge on the way to Mariazell.

The journey initially takes us through the Oststeiermark, not without reason known as the “Garden of Austria”. After the romantic old town of Hartberg, we pass through the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park into the Joglland, a densely forested low mountain region. A colourful, gently rolling landscape awaits us: fields, meadows, forests, and orchards alternate in succession. Eventually, we also experience a more alpine side of the Steiermark. For us, this begins around the climatic spa resort of Fischbach, with the mystical and legendary Teufelstein, and culminates in the crossing of the alpine karst massif of the Veitsch.

Day 1
Hagensdorf near Heiligenbrunn / border (199 m) – Güssing (229 m) – Stegersbach (259 m)

Coming from Hungary, we first reach the small village of Hagensdorf. The route then continues through shaded forests and across wide fields in the Burgenland plains, via the town of Güssing to Stegersbach.

Distance: approx. 37 km

Day 2
Stegersbach (259 m) – Wörth (330 m) – St. Magdalena (430 m) – Hartberg (359 m)
Leaving Stegersbach, the route leads via St. Magdalena to Hartberg in Oststeiermark. A stroll through the beautiful old town is highly recommended: the historic centre is characterised by the impressive Baroque parish church of St. Martin, the town hall, and the pharmacy with its striking portal.

Distance: approx. 27 km

Day 3
Hartberg (359 m) – St. Anna Church (593 m) – Pöllauberg (425 m) – Masenberg (1,261 m) – Miesenbach/Kreuzwirt (1,038 m)
From Hartberg, we head towards the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park, known in particular for the Hirschbirne pear. Above the park rises the pilgrimage church of Pöllauberg, visible from afar. After visiting it, the route continues into the Joglland to the Kreuzwirt, located above this beautiful area within a gentle, hilly landscape.

Distance: approx. 25 km

Day 4
Miesenbach (470 m) – Strallegg (849 m) – Fischbach (1,050 m) – Auf der Schanz (1,171 m)

We continue through the Joglland until reaching Fischbach, located in Peter Rosegger’s Waldheimat. Many pilgrims choose to end their stage here, as this charming village invites rest and relaxation. Our destination, however, is the Schanzsattel with the Schanzwirt, a popular meeting place for pilgrims. Just a few kilometres before reaching the stage destination, we join the Styrian Mariazell Route, which from here on leads us to the magnificent basilica – the goal of all Marian pilgrimage routes.

Distance: approx. 24 km

Day 5
Auf der Schanz (1,171 m) – Stanglalm / Leopold Wittmaier Hütte (1,480 m) – Mitterdorf im Mürztal (587 m)

From this point onwards, we follow the main route of the Styrian Mariazell Pilgrimage Way. Passing the Europakreuz, we continue to the Hochpürschtling wind farm and the Stanglalm. From here, the path descends – sometimes steeply – to Mitterdorf im Mürztal.

Details on Day 5 stage

Day 6
Mitterdorf im Mürztal (587 m) – Hundskopfhütte (960 m) – Pretalsattel (1,069 m) – Veitsch / Rotsohlalm (1,429 m)

From here, the route continues via the Hundskopfhütte, in view of the Veitscher Pilgerkreuz, to the Pretalsattel, which connects the Veitsch area with the Aflenz basin. Following the alpine path, we reach the Rotsohlalm at the foot of the “Blumenberg” Veitsch.

Details on Day 6 stage

Day 7
Rotsohlalm (1,429 m) – Niederalpl (1,224 m) – Wetterinalm – Herrenboden – Schöneben (1,099 m) – Mooshuben (889 m) – Kreuzberg – Mariazell (868 m)

The final stage is a beautiful alpine hike, where we can enjoy the impressive flora and fauna as well as stunning views of the Mariazell region. Eventually, via the Kreuzberg, we reach the basilica in Mariazell.

Details on Day 7 stage

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140

Tips when reporting an emergency – Answer these six WH questions: What happened? How many people are injured? Where did the accident happen (are there GPS coordinates)? Who is reporting the incident (callback number)? When did the accident happen? What is the weather like at the site of the incident?

Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within reach in a side pocket. All the things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top. An emergency kit, including blister plasters, belongs in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress in layers.

Cycling Pilgrimage in the Hochsteiermark
Cycling pilgrimage combines cycling, experiencing nature, and inner reflection. Across four routes leading to Mariazell, the focus is not on speed, but on mindful travel — with time for breaks, encounters, and personal thoughts. The combination of movement, landscape, and spiritual places makes a cycling pilgrimage to Mariazell a truly special journey: being on the move while, at the same time, arriving within oneself.

Accessible by train and bus: detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

TVB Oststeiermark, Tel. +43 3335 47147
www.oststeiermark.com

TVB Hochsteiermark, Tel. +43 3862 55020
www.hochsteiermark.at

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com