Semmering - Maria Schutz - Pilgrimage route

©©Wiener Alpen, Foto: Franz Zwickl

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7,65 km
Ascent: 263 m elevation gain
Descent: 263 m elevation gain

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

Starting point of the tour: Semmering pass height
Tour destination: Semmering pass height

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7,65 km
Ascent: 263 m elevation gain
Descent: 263 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
1/6
Overall experience:
3/6
Scenery:
2/6

Lowest point776 m
Highest point1044 m

Round tour
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

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Description

Starting at the foot of the Hirschenkogel, the forest trail leads through the Myrtengraben and further downhill at the foot of the Sonnwenstein to Maria Schutz. Here you will find the popular pilgrimage church, which is rightly known as the "jewel of the Semmering region". The two church towers can be seen from afar. The Kirchenwirt and the Gasthaus zum Auerhahn, which are of course in the immediate vicinity of the pilgrimage church, offer refreshments in Maria Schutz. The way back leads along the Alte Semmeringstraße, crossing the main road again and again, through Greis to the top of the pass. Here too, in the center of the Semmering region, there are numerous places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays.

safety instructions 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.
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
Route description 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.
Parking Public parking at the Semmering pass height.
Getting there 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 B306From Graz take the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Spital/Semmering exit. Turn left onto Semmering Ersatz Str./B306. Continue on B306.
Public transport 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 109Semmering pass height 113Semmering 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
Editor’s tip Visit the basilica and the Lourdes grotto in Maria Schutz

Recommended period

Dining options:

Cafe Lille

Kirchenwirt

Gasthaus Auerhahn

Dining options at Semmering

Further information:

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Tourism office Semmering, www.semmering.at, +43 / 2664 / 20025

Letzte Änderung: 19 Mar 2026