Upper Austria Mariazell route: A: 5. Waidhofen an der Ybbs - Ybbsitz - Maria Seesal

Description

The fifth stage of the Mariazell route starts in medieval Waidhofen an der Ybbs. The townscape is shaped by imposing fortification towers, baroque churches, and Rothschild castle. After a truly rewarding city tour, we leave the town on Arzbergstraße and hike uphill on a little-trafficked, narrow street. We come to two lovely rest areas - one under a mighty willow tree, one at a chapel, and enjoy a wonderful view of Windhag. Through the rolling landscape of the Mostviertel, we pilgrimage from farm to farm and chapel to chapel. From the last hill before Ybbsitz, we have a magnificent panoramic view of Prochenberg (1123m) and Maisberg (942m), as well as the town of Ybbsitz located in the valley. The so-called blacksmithing center Ybbsitz is especially known for its artistic metalwork and traditional smith craft. Throughout the town, we discover interesting sculptures, old machines, smithies, and other indications of the old craft. In 2010, "Blacksmithing in Ybbsitz" was even added to the list of Austria’s intangible cultural heritage. On the "blacksmith’s mile," an interesting three-kilometer thematic trail, we start at FeRRUM (World of Iron) and walk out of town, passing, for example, the experience bridge. At Bauernschrotmühle, we have a splendid view of the interestingly shaped Prochenberg and hike uphill to Mitterlehen. Here, at the small chapel, a breathtaking panorama opens up to the mountains in the east. From Mitterlehen, it is not far to the romantic pilgrimage church Maria Seesal.

Starting point of the tour

Waidhofen/Ybbs

Destination point of the tour

Maria Seesal

Route description Upper Austria Mariazell route: A: 5. Waidhofen an der Ybbs - Ybbsitz - Maria Seesal

From the Upper Town Square, Ybbstor, Ybbsitzerstraße to Florianibrücke over the Ybbs, on Arzbergstraße (marking 06) on a paved road to the Schilcher farmstead (562 m), further to the municipal border of Ybbsitz (about 3 hours from Waidhofen/Ybbs) and via the panoramic high trail over Kleineck (631 m), Großeck, Oberriegl (612 m), Zwirch, to Ybbsitz (414 m).

From the church, along the blacksmith’s mile to Bauernschrotmühle, turnoff to the Mitterlehen farmstead (676 m) and further to the pilgrimage site Maria Seesal (524 m). On the road along the Schwarze Ois southwards to the Fuchslehen farmstead, the marked trail uphill to the east to Gscheid (843 m) and further to Bodingbach (662 m). Shortly after, heading south, the path leads left to the railway tracks of the Ötscherland-Express. Along the railway experience trail until shortly before the beginning of Lunz am See, a path downhill to the road and to the parish church. Then along the main street (towards Unimarkt), right at the intersection into Seestraße, to Landhotel Zellerhof. Now right further (small bridge), then immediately keep left and along the lakeside promenade to Lake Lunz. 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.