Upper Austria Mariazell route: B: 5th stage: Ybbsitz - Maria Seesal - Lunz am See - Lackenhof

Description

The fifth stage of this variant of the Mariazell route starts at the so-called Ybbsitz Smithing Center, known for its artistic metal design and traditional smithing craft. Throughout the town, we discover interesting sculptures, old machines, forges, and other indications of the old craft. In 2010, "Smithing in Ybbsitz" was even added to the inventory of Austria's Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the "Smithing Mile," an interesting three-kilometer thematic trail, we start at FeRRUM (World of Iron) and walk outwards from the marketplace, passing, for example, the Adventure Bridge. At Bauernschrotmühl, we have a magnificent view of the interestingly shaped Prochenberg (1123m) and hike uphill to Mitterlehen. Here, at the small chapel, we are also treated to a fantastic panorama of the mountains lying to the east. From Mitterlehen, it is not far to the romantic pilgrimage church Maria Seesal. Located on a hill, hidden in the woods, this church has a very special story. According to legend, the building of the pilgrimage church goes back to a dream of Helene Wochner, in which a Marian image appeared to her one night while asleep. When she later discovered the same image in a mill, she set it up on a mountainside. Following the image, a wooden chapel was built, then a stone chapel, and finally, between 1904 and 1906, the current pilgrimage church was erected above this chapel. Below the church, we walk southwards along winding roads until the path bends and we pass between Gschlief-/Spitzkogel and Hamotkogel. For some time, the trail steadily ascends until we reach Oberhackstock and Haslau. Through beautiful mixed forests and past countless fish ponds, the path leads us to Bodingbach and Holzapfel, where we pause at an original chapel for a break. We reach Lunz am See and can make a detour to the right at the village entrance to the Amonhaus—one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Austria—built in 1551 by an Italian builder. Its richly decorated facade displays various motifs such as hearts, lilies, and dolphins; the arcade courtyard is frequently used for exhibitions and concerts. At the Lunzer church, the trail leads us alongside the Seebach to Lunzer Lake, which now lies picturesquely before us, nestled among lush green forests. Along the south shore of the lake, the path continues on an idyllic gravel road to Schloss Seehof, an impressive building near the lake. After a short ascent, we reach Durchlass and hike through the forests to Maierhöfen. Here, we immerse ourselves for a long time in the deep forest but also enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding mountains several times. After a long hike, we finally reach Lackenhof. There is a small but very beautiful church with a lovingly designed garden as well as a lovely cemetery situated on the hillside.

Starting point of the tour

Ybbsitz

Destination point of the tour

Lackenhof

Route description Upper Austria Mariazell route: B: 5th stage: Ybbsitz - Maria Seesal - Lunz am See - Lackenhof

From the church along the Smithing Mile to Bauernschrotmühle, turnoff to the Mitterlehen farmstead (676 m) and further to the pilgrimage site Maria Seesal (524 m). Along the road by the Schwarze Ois southwards to the Fuchslehen farmstead, the marked path upwards eastwards to Gscheid (843 m) and further to Bodingbach (662 m). Shortly afterwards, heading south, the path on the left leads to the railway track of the Ötscherland Express. Along the railway experience path until just before the entrance to Lunz am See, a path downwards to the road and to the parish church. Now along the main road (towards Unimarkt), turn right at the intersection into Seestraße up to the Landhotel Zellerhof. Then continue right (small bridge), immediately keep left and along the lake promenade to Lunzer Lake. Along the shaded south shore to Schloss Seehof. At the junction Durchlass/Maierhöfen steeply uphill to Durchlass (768 m). Along the Lackenbach at Maierhöfen uphill to Lackenhof (809 m). From Ybbsitz to Maria Seesal 2 hours, another 3.5 to 4 hours to Lunz, and further about 3 hours to Lackenhof.