Upper Austria Mariazellerweg: D: 4th stage: Sonntagberg - Maria Seesal

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 24,69 km
Duration: 6:45 h
Ascent: 691 m elevation gain
Descent: 864 m elevation gain

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 24,69 km
Duration: 6:45 h
Ascent: 691 m elevation gain
Descent: 864 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
6/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point347 m
Highest point691 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

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(GPX)

Alternatively, we can follow the long-distance hiking trail 04a from the basilica on Sonntagberg to the southwest and walk down to Böhlerwerk via Leitenbauer. From here we walk along the Ybbs to Waidhofen an der Ybbs. Here we meet the Upper Austrian Mariazellerweg 06, on which we walk to Ybbsitz and on to Maria Seesal (see page 25, Ybbsitz to Lackenhof).

Equipment The backpack on a pilgrimage route should really only contain the absolute essentials! A GPS device is very helpful for orientation.
Route description The idyllic hike, which runs for a large part along the bank of the Ybbs, starts at the pilgrimage basilica Sonntagberg. From here, we first walk downhill through mixed forest to the Ybbs, which we meet in the village of Böhlerwerk. The path takes us past many chapels, small gardens, and colorful settlements, and after a longer hike directly along the Ybbs we reach the medieval town of Waidhofen. The townscape of Waidhofen a/d Ybbs is shaped by imposing defensive towers, baroque churches, and Rothschild Castle. On several bridges, we can cross the Ybbs and thus reach the town center – an absolute must for every pilgrim! We leave the town on Arzbergstraße and continue uphill on a narrowly trafficked, narrow road. We come to two pretty rest areas – one under a mighty willow, one at a chapel – and enjoy a wonderful view of Windhag. Through the hilly landscape of the Mostviertel, we pilgrim from farm to farm and chapel to chapel. From the last hill (at a chapel above Ybbsitz), we have a dreamlike panoramic view of Prochenberg (1123 m) and Maisberg (942 m), as well as of the village of Ybbsitz in the valley. The so-called smithing center Ybbsitz is especially known for its intricate metal designs and traditional smithing craft. Everywhere in the town, we discover interesting sculptures, old machines, smithies, and other signs of the old craft. In 2010, “Smithing in Ybbsitz” was even included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Austria. On the “Smith Mile”, an interesting, three-kilometer thematic path, we start at FeRRUM (World of Iron) and walk towards the market, passing, for example, the experience bridge. At Bauernschrotmühl, we have a splendid view of the interestingly shaped Prochenberg (1123 m) and hike uphill to Mitterlehen. Here, too, at the small chapel, a fantastic panorama of the mountains lying to the east opens up. From Mitterlehen, it is not far to the romantic pilgrimage church Maria Seesal.
Parking Below the pilgrimage basilica Sonntagberg there is a spacious, free gravel parking lot.
Getting there Coming from Salzburg, take the exit towards Oed (131). Via Aschbach and Kematen an der Ybbs you reach Gleiß and turn left towards Sonntagberg there. Coming from Vienna, you exit at Amstetten-West (123) and continue via Weyerer Straße (B121) to Kematen, then turn left towards Sonntagberg in Gleiß.
Public transport You can reach Rosenau/Ybbs by train via Amstetten. From there, you can reach Sonntagberg either on foot or by taxi.
Editor’s tip On several bridges in Waidhofen we can cross the Ybbs and thus reach the town center - an absolute must for every pilgrim!

Recommended period

Mostviertel Tourismus GmbH
Töpper schloss Neubruck, Neubruck 2/10, 3283 Scheibbs
T +43/7482/20 444
info@mostviertel.at , www.mostviertel.at

TVB Mariazeller Land

Hauptplatz 13, 8630 Mariazell

Tel.: +43 (0)3882/23 66

Upper Austria Tourism Information

Freistädter Straße 119, 4041 Linz

info@oberoesterreich.at

www.wandern.at

Useful maps:

ÖK 4319 Linz, ÖK 4320 Perg, ÖK 4326 Steyr,

ÖK 4202 Ternberg, ÖK 4203 Waidhofen,

ÖK 4203 Ybbsitz, ÖK 4204 Lunz, ÖK 4210 Mariazell

All at scale 1:50,000 (also available enlarged 1:25,000)

F&B hiking maps 261 (1:50,000), 051 (1:50,000),

052 (1:50,000), 5031 (1:35,000)

Kompass 22 (Mariazell, Ötscher, Erlauftal, 1:25,000),

Kompass 212 (Hochschwab, Mariazell, Eisenwurzen, 1:50,000),

Kompass 202 (around Linz, Mühlviertel, Wels, Steyr, 1:50,000)

Important phone numbers:

Alpine emergency call: 140, International emergency call: 112

Recommended literature:

Pilgrimage paths to Mariazell – Volume West + South, www.styriabooks.at

Hiking experience Mariazeller Land and Ötscher, www.kral-verlag.at

Pilgrimage paths, www.kral-verlag.at

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026