Mariazell Pilgrimage Route – Connection from Slovenia via Bad Radkersburg

The charming border town of Bad Radkersburg is our starting point. This little town on the border with our Slovenian neighbours is worth a visit at any time of year. The town hall tower, the parish church, and the late Baroque Church Frauenkirche alone are truly worth seeing. From here, we set off towards Kapfenstein, known for its excellent wineries and its castle, where you can enjoy fine dining. After Kapfenstein, Riegersburg is another of our key stops. The ascent to the fortress and a visit there are an experience in themselves!

Leaving Riegersburg behind, we head towards Bad Blumau, the well-known spa resort with its thermal baths designed by none other than the master Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Before that, however, we pass through Fürstenfeld, a lively town with plenty of shopping opportunities – perhaps some of us may want to restock our provisions? Soon, we approach our destination in St. Magdalena. To our right lies the Hungarian landscape, to our left the Thermenland, with another highlight: the thermal spa of Bad Waltersdorf and its soothing springs.

At our destination, in St. Magdalena, the Oststeiermark region begins. It has its own, entirely different kind of beauty and is not called the “Garden of Austria” for nothing. Not far away lies the Pöllauer Tal Nature Park. Here in St. Magdalena, two Marian pilgrimage routes meet once again: ours, coming from Bad Radkersburg, and another that starts in Wörth and leads in the opposite direction through Burgenland and on to Hungary. And they all share one destination: Mariazell.

Day 1
Bad Radkersburg (200 m) – Klöch (290 m) – St. Anna am Aigen (403 m) – Kapfenstein (300 m)

Some of us may already have arrived from Maria Bistrica and perhaps spent a few relaxing days at the thermal spa in Bad Radkersburg. In any case, this is where we begin: following the border with Slovenia via Klöch and St. Anna am Aigen to Kapfenstein. Magnificent views across the borders to our Slovenian and Hungarian neighbours, as well as charming Buschenschänken along the wine roads of Klöch and St. Anna, make this first stage a truly enjoyable one – though it should not distract from moments of quiet reflection.

Distance: approx. 37 kilometres

Day 2
Kapfenstein (300 m) – Fehring (272 m) – Riegersburg (377 m)

This stage follows the wine road with splendid views all the way from Kapfenstein to Riegersburg, where a visit to the castle is almost irresistible. The part of the Steiermark we hike through today is known for the famous thermal spas, but also for its regional culinary delights. Once again, this stage is a journey for both body and soul.

Distance: approx. 19 kilometres

Day 3
Riegersburg (377 m) – Söchau (273 m) – Fürstenfeld (276 m) – Bad Blumau (284 m)

The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the stage destination of Bad Blumau, where we have truly earned a dip in the warm thermal springs. And for those who wish, a longer stop in the Styrian spa town of Fürstenfeld is well worthwhile.

Distance: approx. 23 kilometres

Day 4
Bad Blumau (284 m) – Bad Waltersdorf (290 m) – St. Magdalena (430 m)

This stage features three thermal spa resorts, offering plenty of opportunity to recover from the efforts of the past few days. Upon arriving in St. Magdalena, we have completed the fourth and final stage. This is where the “Garden of Austria” begins – the Oststeiermark. Beautiful gardens, parks, charming villages, and an abundance of fruit and herbs await. It is also here that the Marian route coming from Burgenland and Hungary joins ours, continuing onwards towards Mariazell, the destination of all Marian pilgrimage routes.

Distance: approx. 16 kilometres

Descriptions of the further route via Pöllauberg can be found here.

Descriptions of the further route via Vorau can be found here.

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.

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 Thermen- & Vulkanland, Tel +43 3382 55100
www.thermen-vulkanland.at

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