Pilgrimages are back in fashion. Whether for religious and spiritual reasons or for reflection and self-discovery, Austrian pilgrimage routes are seeing an increase in pilgrims every year and the number of signposted pilgrimage routes in Austria is growing all the time. We will introduce you to some of the best-known pilgrimage routes in Austria so that you know what to expect and never lose your way with the help of the precisely mapped out routes.
The 10 most beautiful pilgrim walks in Austria
Austria and its pilgrimage routes
Pilgrimages lead to significant spiritual and religious places. In addition to the experience of nature, the spiritual aspect is always important. In Austria, you will find numerous designated pilgrimage routes that have a long tradition and take you to significant religious and spiritual places. Along the way, you can also experience Austria's unique nature and important cultural monuments and recharge your batteries.
The most popular destination for pilgrims is the famous pilgrimage site of Mariazell in Lower Austria. The town can be reached in a variety of ways, for example via Austria's most famous pilgrimage route, the Via Sacra, which starts in Vienna. There are also numerous other pilgrimage routes throughout Austria. The network of St. James' Way in particular covers almost the entire country and can serve as a starting point for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Via Sacra - the Viennese pilgrimage route
The Via Sacra, the "Holy Road", is the oldest and probably also the most popular pilgrimage route in Austria. Starting in Vienna, this wonderful pilgrimage route takes you through the Vienna Woods and the foothills of the Alps in the Mostviertel region. Wayside shrines, chapels and churches of art-historical significance line the route. Spiritual stops include Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Klein-Mariazell Basilica, Lilienfeld Abbey and the Annaberg pilgrimage church. With a length of 120 kilometers and good infrastructure along the way, the Via Sacra is a good choice for immersing yourself in the world of pilgrimage.
Die historische Route der „Heiligen Straße“ entspricht heute den Bundesstraßen 11 + 18 + 20. Spirituelle Stationen sind die Stifte Heiligenkreuz, ...
Upper Austrian Mariazellerweg
Another popular pilgrimage route with the destination Mariazell begins in Linz. The Upper Austrian Mariazell Trail takes you in eight one-day stages from Linz via St. Florian, Steyr, Maria Neustift, Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Maria Seesal, Lackenhof and Mitterbach to Mariazell. The 157-kilometre route has some challenging passages, such as the one over the Riffelsattel (1283 m), and is therefore considered a very sporty pilgrimage.
Sportliche Pilger mit guter Kondition können die Originalroute des Mariazellerweges in sieben Etappen bewältigen. Insgesamt überwinden wir eine ...
Romediusweg
The Romediusweg is a special pilgrimage route, as St. Romedius is considered the patron saint of hikers and pilgrims. According to legend, Romedius gave away all his possessions in the 5th century and set off on a pilgrimage across the Alps to Rome. You can follow his path on the Romediusweg.
The trail covers 9,700 meters in altitude and takes around 12 days to complete. Spectacular views are therefore guaranteed on this trail.
A transnational pilgrimage route - in the footsteps of St Romedius. The pilgrimage route from Thaur to San Romedio is a true nature experience: ...
Way of St. James in Austria
The most famous pilgrimage route in Europe is undoubtedly the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. However, this is not a single route, but rather a widely ramified network of paths, all of which ultimately lead to the Way of St. James to Santiago. In Austria, too, there are several Way of St. James routes, which in turn lead into others. The best-known Way of St. James in Austria include
- Way of St. James Tyrol-Allgäu
- Austrian Way of St. James
- Salzburg Way of St. James
- Way of St. James Mostviertel
- Way of St. James Tyrol
Where does the Way of St. James begin in Austria?
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Find pilgrim walks in neighboring regions
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