Circular route Gutenstein–Mariahilfberg via Längapiesting/Schaftersbach and Magdalen grotto

Opis

We start from the parking lot of the parish church and follow the road that runs along the fence of the Schloss Hoyos park Schloss Hoyos into the opening landscape of the Längapiesting. At the signpost for Mariahilfberg, the Schaftersbach path branches off from the road and gently ascends over meadows, then passes an idyllic little house along forest paths to the junction to the Magdalen grotto. Alternatively, we can go past the picturesque wayside shrine along a natural meadow flat to the nature trail. The path to the Magdalen grotto leads attractively over partly wooden, partly rocky steps through a pine forest past a deer wallow as well as the Frauenbrünnchen to the parking lot at Mariahilfberg.
Coming out of the forest, we see the picturesque pilgrimage church and the Servite monastery, standing on a small hill. The climb is worthwhile for the fantastic panoramic view of the Schneeberg, Schober, Öhler and the Großer Neukogel, the home mountain of Gutenstein. A half-hour detour past the church leads to the Stations of the Cross at Mariahilfberg, at the end of which the view into the Klostertal valley is worth seeing.

Descending from the church, we take the root path along wayside shrines depicting the life of Mary back down into the valley to the fire station. The dense beech forest allows a view of the Gutenstein castle ruins at a clearing.

The path can be taken with children and dogs, but is not suitable for strollers.

As variants or extensions to this path, the nature trail, the Stations of the Cross and the residence path are offered. All are well signposted at Mariahilfberg.

Počiatočný bod túry

Gutenstein Parish Church

Cieľový bod túry

Gutenstein Parish Church

Opis trasy Circular route Gutenstein–Mariahilfberg via Längapiesting/Schaftersbach and Magdalen grotto

From the parking lot of the parish church over the Piesting bridge, turn left after the bridge. At the next intersection turn right and pass the fire station on the left, follow the road into the Längapiesting (blue marking). After about 1.5 km, at the wayside cross, the path to the Schaftersbach branches off to the right (sign "Schaftersbachweg" and signpost towards Mariahilfberg). After just under 1 km, before a small, idyllic yellow house, turn right uphill onto a meadow (signpost towards Mariahilfberg). Continue first moderately steep on a cart track, later flattening out on a pleasant forest path.

At a wayside shrine, there is a view through the Piesting valley to Pernitz. At a tree shrine you will find a detailed signpost (green signs), from here either go right directly via the nature trail flat to the Mariahilfberg or half right, via a steeper path with partly wooden, partly rocky steps past the Magdalen grotto (additional 10 min.).

At the parking lot you reach the return path via the root path (red-white-red marking, no. 231, watch out for crossing roots and leaves, slippery when wet!) to the fire station and the same way as at the beginning back to the parish church.