Stage 09 B Mariazell Route Auf der Schanz – Krieglach

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 20,9 km

Time 8:00 h

Uphill 642 hm

Downhill 1208 hm

Highest point 1407 m

Through the Waldheimat: This stage leads through the landscape shaped by Peter Rosegger to Krieglach. The approximately 21 km route passes through one of the most densely forested regions in Austria.

The writer Peter Rosegger (1843–1918) gave this region the name “Waldheimat”, which has since become firmly established. His Geburtshaus, the Forest School and the Austrian Hiking Museum are all well worth a visit.

Krieglach itself has an interesting history: its name is believed to derive from the word “Krügerl”, gradually evolving into its present form. It was one of Peter Rosegger’s favourite places to stay, and both his residence and his place of death attract many visitors today. The parish church of St. James the Elder can also be visited here along the route to Mariazell.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Detailed information on how to get there can be found here.

At the Alpengasthof Schanz, the route leaves the main trail and continues towards the Waldheimat region. There are several worthwhile detours, including a visit to the legendary Teufelstein.

A stop at Peter Rosegger’s Geburtshaus and the nearby Schmiedhofer farm, where he worked as a travelling tailor in 1863, is highly recommended. The route then continues over the Hochgölk and descends into the valley to Krieglach, where the well-known Styrian writer once lived.

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

Numerous parking spaces are available directly at the main trailhead at Schanzsattel.

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

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