Upper Austria Mariazeller Trail: A: 7th stage: Lackenhof - Mitterbach

Popis

The penultimate stage on the Mariazell Pilgrimage Path starts in the three-hundred-inhabitant village of Lackenhof, 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 immediately leads steeply up the slopes of the Ötscher. The name Ötscher probably comes from Slavic and translates roughly as "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 climbing almost 500 meters in elevation, we reach the Riffelsattel and hike down from there 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 foothills of the Ötschergräben to the south. On beautiful hiking trails we reach the Schleierfall, where the splendid gorge hike through the Ötschergräben begins. The landscape in the Ötschergräben looks like a scene from a Winnetou film - steep rock walls border the gorge on both sides, and turquoise water makes 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 it goes uphill, we pass a mill, make a short stop at a wooden chapel, and thus arrive at the elongated Erlauf reservoir. A beautifully constructed nature trail leads us to Mitterbach, the end point of this route.

Výchozí bod trasy

Lackenhof

Cílový bod trasy

Mitterbach

Popis trasy Upper Austria Mariazeller Trail: A: 7th stage: Lackenhof - Mitterbach

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

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