Stage 11 A Mariazell Route Veitsch/Rotsohlalm - Mariazell

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 27,6 km

Time 7:30 h

Uphill 840 hm

Downhill 1379 hm

Highest point 1497 m

Alpine finale: The final 29 km lead through the alpine pasture landscapes of the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park towards the Basilica of Mariazell. Highlights along the way include magnificent views of the Bärental rock face and the Hochschwab mountain range.

At the end of the journey lies Mariazell, the largest pilgrimage destination in Central Europe – a place with a long and eventful history. It has faced many challenges over the centuries: invasions by the Ottomans in 1420 and 1474, repeated devastating fires, outbreaks of plague and the occupation by French troops. In 1809, the church treasures were brought to safety just in time. The year 1816, known as the “year without a summer”, brought severe hardship, prompting Archduke Johann to introduce the cultivation of potatoes to help the population.

In 1827, a major fire broke out on All Souls’ Night, destroying much of the town and severely damaging the church. More positive milestones followed: the opening of the Mariazeller railway in 1907, electrified just a few years later, and the construction of one of Austria’s first cable cars to the Bürgeralpe in 1928.

Best season

January

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More information

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

The stage begins at the Rotsohlalm, leading across a scenic alpine meadow to the Nikolkreuz, a wayside shrine erected by miners who once worked in the area. A newly created path continues with constant views of the Hochschwab range.

After a junction, the route follows forest roads to the Niederalpl pass with the Plodererhof, where it joins the North–South long-distance trail (No. 05). This pass already forms part of the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park and connects the Mariazell region with the Mürztal valley.

From the pass, the trail leads across meadows of a ski area to the Wetterinalm, and from there gently across beautiful alpine pastures to the Herrenbodenalm. After a final short ascent, the route descends to Schöneben, where both variants of the Mariazeller Way rejoin.

The final section partly follows a road via the Mooshuben, home to the well-known Mooshuben inn, a traditional stop for pilgrims. From there, the trail continues over the Kreuzberg to the destination: Mariazell. Mariazell has been one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Central Europe for centuries. Its Basilica has shaped the townscape for generations and remains the spiritual focus for pilgrims from near and far.

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

Access to the Rotsohlalm is permitted only for farmers, landowners, and alpine pasture operators.

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

Steiermark Tourismus, Tel. +43 316 4003
www.steiermark.com
www.steiermark.com/mariazell-pilgrimage-route