Via Sacra to Mariazell

In short: Via Sacra to Mariazell: from Vienna (surrounding area) to Mariazell. Length: around 120 km, duration: about 4 days. Best time: May to October.

Overview

Mariazell in Styria has been Austria's most important place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. The Via Sacra, the oldest route there, leads from the area around Vienna via Heiligenkreuz through the Alpine foothills.

The route measures around 120 kilometres and can be walked in four days, but the climbs are tough. The Wiener Wallfahrerweg is almost the same length at 115 kilometres and much more relaxed. Shorter still is the Pielachtaler Pilgerweg at 80 kilometres.

Around Annaberg and the Mariazell area you walk through mountains, and the inns are used to pilgrims. You should reserve ahead, especially in summer and on pilgrimage days.

Main stops: Heiligenkreuz, Lilienfeld, Annaberg, Mariazell.

Via Heiligenkreuz to Mariazell

The route links two large monasteries: the Cistercian abbey of Heiligenkreuz in the Vienna Woods and Lilienfeld Abbey in the Traisen valley. After that it becomes more Alpine and crosses several saddles before reaching Mariazell.

The goal is the basilica with its miraculous statue, which has drawn pilgrims from Austria, Hungary and the Slavic countries since the Middle Ages. Mariazell is still an important place for groups from Hungary and the Czech Republic today.

What to watch out for

The daily stages are long and have a lot of climbing. Start early, and book beds in the small villages in advance at weekends. From October there can be snow on the saddles.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 120 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

This route is a poor choice for a first attempt. You should be sure-footed and have stamina, and several weeks of training will pay off here.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 60 to 80 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 7 days that comes to roughly 400 to 550 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Austria, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.