Semmering - Maria Schutz - Pilgrimage route

Hiking route from Semmering pass height

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Elevation profile

7,65 km length

Tour dates
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Route: 7,65 km
  • Ascent: 263 egm
  • Descent: 263 egm
  • Duration:
  • Lowest point: 776 m
  • Highest point:1.044 m
Features
  • Round tour
  • With refreshment stops
  • Accessibility by train and bus

Details for: Semmering - Maria Schutz - Pilgrimage route

Brief description

From Semmering via the forest path to Maria Schutz and back to Semmering.

Description

Starting at the foot of the Hirschenkogel, the forest path leads through the Myrtengraben and further downhill at the foot of the Sonnwenstein to Maria Schutz. Here is the popular pilgrimage church, rightly called the "jewel of the Semmering area." The two church towers can be seen from afar. Dining options in Maria Schutz are the Kirchenwirt and the Gasthaus zum Auerhahn, which are naturally located in the immediate vicinity of the pilgrimage church. The return leads over the Alte Semmeringstraße, repeatedly crossing the state road, through Greis to the pass height. Also here in the center of the Semmering area there are numerous dining and accommodation options.

Starting point of the tour

Semmering pass height

Destination point of the tour

Semmering pass height

Route description Semmering - Maria Schutz - Pilgrimage route

The starting point of the hike is the Semmering pass height. At the valley station of the cable car, we first go left onto Carolusstraße up to the Sporthotel Semmering (about 500 m). At the eastern end of the parking lot, the forest path to Maria Schutz begins. At the next crossroads (left above the Napoleon cross) we go left downhill to the forestry road. Here we keep right briefly before turning left again onto the forest path. The forest path ends at the fire station where the steeple of the pilgrimage church is already visible. The return route first leads us along the state road for one kilometer until the Alte Semmeringstraße branches off to the left. In Greis, we cross the state road again and follow it below towards Semmering. Shortly before the pass height, we then go steeply uphill again to the destination.

Directions

From Vienna take the A2 South motorway to the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Maria Schutz exit. Turn right onto L4168. Continue on Semmering/L4168, Semmeringstraße and Passstraße to take B306

From Graz take the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Spital/Semmering exit. Turn left onto Semmering Ersatz Str./B306. Continue on B306.

Parking

Public parking at the Semmering pass height.

Travel by train to Semmering station. In about 25 minutes you can walk from the station to the hiking starting point (Semmering pass height).

Alternatively, book a ride individually with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax, which will take you to the hiking starting point.

 

RUFbus stops:

Semmering station 109

Semmering pass height 113

Semmering cable car 114      

Church Maria Schutz 82

 

TIP: Easy with the Postbus shuttle app or via the hotline +43 660 900 88 22. 

More information at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at

Equipment

Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes suited to the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the emergency number of the mountain rescue: 140

Safety information

Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be an all-round beautiful and safe experience.

Please therefore observe the following:

Make sure when choosing the route that it corresponds to your mountain experience and physical condition. Check the weather forecast in advance. Weather in the mountains can change surprisingly quickly. Always start out suitably equipped (appropriate footwear, rain protection). Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about the choice of route and your planned return before you set out. Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts. Due to dryness, meadows and forests are easily flammable. Handle fire with respect and immediately report any possible fire to the fire brigade (122). Do not litter and dispose of waste properly.

 

Further safety tips for your hike can be found here.

Map recommendations

Hiking map of the spa community Semmering available at the Semmering tourism office € 1.-; freytag&berndt WK022

Author's tip
  • Visit the basilica and the Lourdes grotto in Maria Schutz

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