Description
The penultimate stage on the Mariazell Pilgrimage Path starts in the three-hundred-inhabitant village of Lackenhof, below the highest mountain of the Mostviertel, the Ötscher (1893m). From the monument-protected church built on a hill, we hike southeast along the signposted Mariazell path, which immediately leads steeply up the slopes of the Ötscher. The name Ötscher probably comes from Slavic and translates roughly as "Father Mountain". Around the mountain in 1970 the 170 km² large Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park was established, the largest nature park in Lower Austria. After climbing almost 500 meters in elevation, we reach the Riffelsattel and hike down from there towards the Ötschergräben. Shortly after the former Gasthaus Spielbichler, the pilgrim is presented with a wonderful panorama of the Ötscher summit to the north and the foothills of the Ötschergräben to the south. On beautiful hiking trails we reach the Schleierfall, where the splendid gorge hike through the Ötschergräben begins. The landscape in the Ötschergräben looks like a scene from a Winnetou film - steep rock walls border the gorge on both sides, and turquoise water makes its way through the limestone. Only at the inn "Ötscherhias" do we leave the Ötschergräben again and continue our hike towards the Erlauf reservoir. Once more it goes uphill, we pass a mill, make a short stop at a wooden chapel, and thus arrive at the elongated Erlauf reservoir. A beautifully constructed nature trail leads us to Mitterbach, the end point of this route.
Starting point of the tour
Lackenhof
Destination point of the tour
Mitterbach
Route description Upper Austria Mariazeller Trail: A: 7th stage: Lackenhof - Mitterbach
From Lackenhof it becomes truly alpine. Almost 500 meters of elevation have to be climbed steeply up to the Riffelsattel (1,283 m). Mountain enthusiasts can also make a detour to the Ötscherschutzhaus (1,418 m) or even stay overnight there. Those who want to go through the Ötschergräben descend to the former Gasthaus Spielbichler (927 m) and walk through it up to the Ötscherhias (681 m). From Lackenhof to this point it takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (variant via Ötscherschutzhaus 5.5 to 6 hours). Then it goes uphill to the Forsthaus Hagen (833 m) and straight along the Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach (800 m), where you meet the Via Sacra coming from Vienna (just under 2 hours from Ötscherhias to Mitterbach).
Variant: From the Riffelsattel you can also reach Mariazell via the Feldwiesalm, the Iron Herrgott, Zellerrain, and Erlaufsee. Those in good shape can also descend from the summit of the Gemeindealpe (1,626 m) to Mitterbach (800 m).
Directions
Coming from Salzburg on the A1 to the Amstetten-Ost exit (108), and then via L97 to Steinakirchen am Forst. Via Purgstall an der Erlauf and Scheibbs you get to Lackenhof am Ötscher.
Parking
Parking options in Lackenhof include, for example, at the fire department or at the lift station (Intersport Rent).
By train you can get from Amstetten to Waidhofen/Ybbs. From Waidhofen to Lunz am See, you can take bus MO1, and then with bus MO21 you get to Lackenhof.
