Pielachtal Pilgrimage Trail
Pilgrimage on the railway: from the provincial capital St. Pölten to the place of grace Mariazell.
Always follow the Mariazell railway: The beautifully guided Pielachtal Pilgrims' Trail follows the mountain railway from St. Pölten to Mariazell.
One of the most scenic and spiritually inspiring pilgrimage routes in the Mostviertel region leads from St. Pölten through the Pielach Valley to Mariazell, the most important place of pilgrimage in Central Europe. On the way through the valley known for its Dirndln (= cornelian cherries), you will experience how the gentle hills of the foothills of the Alps gradually gain height and finally break against the broad shoulders of the Ötscher. Numerous interesting sacred buildings line the 80 km long pilgrimage route, from the Lourdes Church in St. Pölten, the Lourdes Forest Chapel near Weinburg, the baptistery of Cardinal Franz König in Rabenstein, the towerless St Andrew's Church in Kirchberg and the Wooden Church in Schwarzenbach an der Pielach to the world-famous basilica in Mariazell. The proximity to the Mariazell railway is particularly convenient, allowing you to shorten sections of the pilgrimage route at any time.
Tips for planning your pilgrimage
If you would like to set off on your own, you can book a pilgrimage package from Mostviertel Tourismus with a choice of two or three overnight stays and the return journey from Mariazell to St. Pölten on the Mariazell railway.
If you enjoy walking in a group and like to socialise, we also recommend the guided pilgrimage hikes, which are offered several times a year. Experienced pilgrim guides are on hand to offer help and advice to participants and provide spiritual inspiration and food for thought on the way to Mariazell.
