Upper Austria Mariazell Route: D: 5: Stage: Maria Seesal - Lunz am See - Lackenhof

Description

The relatively hilly fifth stage of this variant of the Mariazell Route starts at the Maria Seesal pilgrimage church. Hidden in the forest on a hill, this church has a very special history. According to legend, the construction of the pilgrimage church traces back to a dream of Helene Wochner, in which a Marian image appeared to her one night in her sleep. When she later found the same image in a mill, she placed it on a mountainside. A wooden chapel followed the image, then a stone chapel, and finally from 1904-1906 the current pilgrimage church was built above this chapel. Below the church, we hike southwards along winding roads until the path curves, and we walk between Gschlief or Spitzkogel and Hamotkogel. Here it goes steadily uphill for some time 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 stop 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 shows various motifs such as hearts, lilies, and dolphins; the arcaded courtyard is often used for exhibitions and concerts. At the Lunzer church, the path leads us along the Seebach stream to Lunzer Lake, which now lies picturesque before us, nestled between lush green forests. On the southern shore of the lake, the path continues on an idyllic gravel path to Seehof Castle, an impressive building near the lake. After a short ascent, we reach Durchlass and walk through the woods to Maierhöfen. Here, we enter the deep forest for a longer time but also enjoy several times the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. After a long hike, we finally reach Lackenhof. There is a small but very beautiful church with a lovingly laid-out garden, as well as a lovely cemetery on the hillside.

Starting point of the tour

Maria Seesal

Destination point of the tour

Lackenhof

Route description Upper Austria Mariazell Route: D: 5: Stage: Maria Seesal - Lunz am See - Lackenhof

From the church along the smithy mile to the Bauernschrot Mill, turnoff to the Mitterlehen farmstead (676 m) and further to the pilgrimage place Maria Seesal (524 m). Along the road next to the Schwarze-Ois to the south to the Fuchslehen farmstead, then the marked trail upwards to the Gscheid (843 m) and further to Bodingbach (662 m). Shortly after, heading south, the path on the left leads to the railway track of the Ötscherland Express. Follow the railway experience path until shortly before the start of the village of Lunz am See, take a path downwards to the road and the parish church. Then along the main road (direction UNI market), turn right at the intersection into Seestraße until the Zellerhof guesthouse. Then continue right (small bridge), immediately keep left and along the lake promenade to the Lunzer Lake. Along the shady southern shore to Seehof Castle. At the fork Durchlass/Maierhöfen, steep uphill to Durchlass (768 m). At Maierhöfen along the Lackenbach upwards to Lackenhof (809 m). From Ybbsitz to Maria Seesal 2 hours, further 3.5 to 4 hours to Lunz, and another 3 hours to Lackenhof.