Upper Austria Mariazell Way: C: 6th stage: Lackenhof - Mitterbach

Description

The penultimate stage on the Mariazell pilgrimage path starts in the village of Lackenhof, home to three hundred souls, located below the highest mountain of the Mostviertel, the Ötscher (1893m). From the monument-protected church built on a hill, we hike southeast along the signposted Mariazell path, which leads us steeply up the slopes of the Ötscher. The name Ötscher, probably derived from its distinctive shape, comes from Slavic and translates to "Father Mountain." Around the mountain, in 1970, the 170 km² large Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park was established, the largest nature park in Lower Austria. After almost 500 meters of elevation gain, we reach the Riffelsattel and then hike downhill towards the Ötschergräben. Shortly after the former Gasthaus Spielbichler, the pilgrim is presented with a wonderful panorama of the Ötscher summit to the north and the outlying areas of the Ötschergräben to the south. Lovely hiking trails lead to the Schleierfall, where the magnificent gorge hike through the Ötschergräben begins. The landscape in the Ötschergräben looks like a scene from a Winnetou film—steep rock walls limit the gorge on both sides, turquoise water carves its way through the limestone. Only at the inn "Ötscherhias" do we leave the Ötschergräben again and continue our hike towards the Erlauf reservoir. Once more uphill, we pass a mill, take a short break at a wooden chapel, and arrive at the elongated Erlauf reservoir. A beautifully designed nature trail leads us to Mitterbach, the end point of this tour.

Starting point of the tour

Lackenhof

Destination point of the tour

Mitterbach

Route description Upper Austria Mariazell Way: C: 6th stage: Lackenhof - Mitterbach

From Lackenhof it becomes truly alpine. Almost 500 meters of elevation gain lead steeply uphill to the Riffelsattel (1,283 m). Mountain enthusiasts can also make a detour to the Ötscherschutzhaus (1,418 m) or stay overnight there. Those who want to walk through the Ötschergräben descend to the former guesthouse Spielbichler (927 m) and traverse it up to the Ötscherhias (681 m). From Lackenhof, this takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (variant via the Ötscherschutzhaus 5.5 to 6 hours). Then uphill to the Forsthaus Hagen (833 m) and directly along the Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach (800 m), where the Via Sacra coming from Vienna is met (just under 2 hours from Ötscherhias to Mitterbach).

Variant: From the Riffelsattel you can also reach Mariazell via Feldwiesalm, Eiserner Herrgott, Zellerrain, and Erlaufsee. Those in good condition can also descend from the summit of the Gemeindealpe (1,626 m) to Mitterbach (800 m).