Via Trinitatis 4. Etappe Basisvariante Waidhofen/Ybbs - Sonntagberg

Starting point of the tour

Waidhofen/Ybbs

Destination point of the tour

Sonntagberg

Route description Via Trinitatis 4. Etappe Basisvariante Waidhofen/Ybbs - Sonntagberg

In its basic form, the pilgrimage route takes us over the Rabenberg to Böhlerwerk and finally back to the Sonntagberg.

 

Starting at the city tower, we head toward the Forellenbrunnen and through the small alley “Zum Thürl” to Federal Highway 121. After crossing it, we turn left at the back of the fire department’s armory and follow Bindergasse across the Schwarzbach into Krautberggasse. Passing under the viaduct of the former “Ybbstalbahn”—now the “Citybahn Waidhofen”—we reach the “Reinhold Klaus-Weg” via the underpass beneath the “Kronprinz Rudolfbahn” railway line and continue climbing up to the “Krautbergkreuz.” This wonderful viewpoint offers unique views over the rooftops and squares of the old town and is the perfect spot for taking photos.

 

We continue following the trail upward and, via “Rabenbergstraße” and “Eichenweg,” arrive directly at the Rabenberg hiking and trail network. With views of the city below, we reach the “Rabenbergkreuz” via forest trails and, further along, a rest area that has been beautifully designed as part of a project by the local rural youth group. Continuing westward, the trail leads us along the edge of the forest to the fork where the “Via Trinitatis” and “Via Trinitatis+” pilgrimage routes diverge.

 

On the basic route, we turn right here into the forest and follow several forest trails downhill until the view of the Sonntagberg opens up again. Passing a farmhouse below, a meadow path—and later a forest trail—leads us to the “Schindergraben” municipal road, which takes us out of the valley toward the B 121. Turning left, we cross the traffic-light-controlled intersection to reach the Raifberg Bridge. After crossing the Ybbs River, we turn left onto Unterzellerstraße and walk to the Kerschbaumer Inn, which is a great spot for a lunch break. The proximity to the Sonntagberg is also marked by the Chapel of the Holy Trinity on the right-hand side of the municipal road leading downhill.

 

A visit to the parish church in Böhlerwerk is recommended. To get there, we first turn left and cross the Ybbssteg footbridge and a short pedestrian tunnel to reach the local access paths across from the federal highway, which are signposted toward the parish center. The new building, erected as recently as 1972, replaced the old “Steel Church” at that time. The interior impresses with its use of iron and metal—elements ubiquitous in the region—particularly in the depiction of the Holy Family, the tabernacle, and the Stations of the Cross. The freestanding bell tower offers a unique “view through” to the basilica on Sonntagberg.

 

We head back across the Ybbssteg, pass under the large railway viaduct, and immediately turn left, climbing up toward the railroad tracks. Walking along a hedge, we stay to the right of the railroad tracks and follow the “Berghausweg” for about 800 m along the route of the Ybbstal Bike Trail. On the right, we then find the trailhead for the “Wanglsteig” leading up to the Sonntagberg. This roughly 2-kilometer-long “final stretch” winds through several switchbacks, mostly through beech forest, and takes us past the 80-meter-high ORS transmitter station along a meadow path directly to the access road leading up to the basilica. There we come across the “Sonntagberg Trinity Chapel,” which was relocated here when the road was rebuilt. After a moment of reflection in front of the Trinity painting featuring the “Sonntagberg Chair of Grace,” we begin the ascent to the basilica.

 

We have now reached the destination of our pilgrimage. Grateful for the experience that has accompanied us from the very beginning: “Whoever walks under the protection of the Most High…” Via Trinitatis, a path of the Trinity, which—through setting out, walking, being on the way, arriving, and simply being—has brought us closer to what is also attributed to Sonntagberg: “Closer to Heaven.” A sign on a house that greets us again at the Pilgerstüberl, but which we also encountered at the start of our pilgrimage. May this be YOUR experience of these past days.