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

Description

The relatively mountainous fifth stage of this variant of the Mariazell Trail starts at the Maria Seesal pilgrimage church. Situated on a hill, hidden in the forest, this church has a very special history. According to legend, the construction of the pilgrimage church goes back to a dream of Helene Wochner, who saw an image of the Virgin Mary in her sleep one night. When she later discovered the same image in a mill, she erected it on a hillside. The image was followed by a wooden chapel, then a stone chapel and finally, in 1904-1906, today's pilgrimage church was built above this chapel. Below the church, we walk in a southerly direction along winding roads until the path bends and we walk between the Gschliefkogel, Spitzkogel and Hamotkogel. Here the trail climbs steadily for a while until we reach Oberhackstock and Haslau. Through beautiful mixed forests and past countless fish ponds, the trail leads us to Bodingbach and Holzapfel, where we stop at an original chapel and take a breather. We reach Lunz am See and can make a detour to the Amonhaus - one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Austria - on the right as we enter the town. The building was constructed in 1551 by an Italian builder. Its richly decorated façade features various motifs such as hearts, lilies and dolphins, while the arcaded courtyard is often used for exhibitions and concerts. At the Lunz church, the path leads us along the Seebach stream to Lake Lunz, which now lies picturesquely before us, nestled between lush green forests. We continue along the southern shore of the lake on an idyllic gravel path to Seehof Castle, an impressive building near the lake. After a short climb, we reach Durchlass and walk through the woods to Maierhöfen. Here we immerse ourselves in the deep forest for a long time, but also enjoy the wonderful 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 landscaped garden and 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.