Energy Path Maria Laach
Hiking tour Starting from Maria Laach Marketplace
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1,56 km
- Duration: 1:30 h
- Ascent: 14 m elevation gain
- Descent: 13 m elevation gain
Many important religious and mystical places that still exist today follow existing lines of force and concentrations of power in the landscape in their positioning and orientation. Maria Laach am Jauerling and its Gothic pilgrimage church Mariae Heimsuchung in the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park are among the most outstanding geomantic zones in Austria. Maria Laach is the highest place on the Danube and reaches up to the Jauerling summit at 960 m - the highest mountain on the 2,800 km long Danube. The pilgrimage church, a monumental stepped hall building from the 15th century, has survived time almost unchanged and is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Lower Austria. From the 17th century, Maria Laach developed into an important place of pilgrimage. The power trail starts at the old drinking fountain on the market square and leads along a forest path via eleven stations (including a sound station, terrace path, stone gate) back to the pilgrimage church. The power trail is embedded in the forest landscape at 591 meters above sea level and offers ideal conditions to recharge your batteries in nature and in the forest landscape of the Jauerling.
- Starting point of the tour
- Maria Laach Marketplace
- Tour destination
- Maria Laach Marketplace
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1,56 km
- Duration: 1:30 h
- Ascent: 14 m elevation gain
- Descent: 13 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:1/6
- Overall experience:3/6
- Scenery:3/6
- Lowest point583 m
- Highest point597 m
- Round tour
- With refreshment stops
- Suitable for families and children
Description
Many important religious and mystical places that still exist today follow existing lines of force and concentrations of power in the landscape in their positioning and orientation. Maria Laach am Jauerling and its Gothic pilgrimage church Mariae Heimsuchung in the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park are among the most outstanding geomantic zones in Austria. Maria Laach is the highest place on the Danube and reaches up to the Jauerling summit at 960 m - the highest mountain on the 2,800 km long Danube. The pilgrimage church, a monumental stepped hall building from the 15th century, has survived time almost unchanged and is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Lower Austria. From the 17th century, Maria Laach developed into an important place of pilgrimage. The power trail starts at the old drinking fountain on the market square and leads along a forest path via eleven stations (including a sound station, terrace path, stone gate) back to the pilgrimage church. The power trail is embedded in the forest landscape at 591 meters above sea level and offers ideal conditions to recharge your batteries in nature and in the forest landscape of the Jauerling.
- safety instructions Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140.
- Equipment Hiking boots, waterproof clothing, drinking water, as well as the Wachau hiking map, available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus, www.wachau.at
- Route description Many significant religious and mystical sites that still exist today follow existing energy lines and energy concentrations in the landscape in their positioning and orientation. Maria Laach at Jauerling and its gothic pilgrimage church Mariae Heimsuchung in the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park are among the most outstanding geomantic zones in Austria. Maria Laach is the highest location on the Danube overall and reaches up to the Jauerling summit at 960 m – the highest mountain along the 2,800 km long Danube. The pilgrimage church, a monumental stepped hall building from the 15th century, has survived time almost unchanged and is one of the most important gothic structures in Lower Austria. From the 17th century, Maria Laach developed into a significant pilgrimage site. The energy path begins at the old drinking fountain in the marketplace and leads on a forest trail over eleven stations (including a sound station, terrace path, stone gate) back to the pilgrimage church. The energy path, embedded in the forest landscape, lies at an elevation of 591 meters and offers ideal conditions in nature and the woodland of the Jauerling to recharge your batteries.
- Parking Marketplace Maria Laach.
- Getting there Via A1 to Melk, via B3 to Schallemmersdorf; turn left here and follow the road to Maria Laach.
- Public transport Maria Laach is difficult to reach by public transport on weekdays - there is only a school transport service. Bus timetables can be found at www.vor.atRoute planner: www.anachb.at.
- Editor’s tip The 24/7 self-service shop in the center of Maria Laach is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and excellently stocked with regional products from surrounding nature park producers. Be sure to schedule time for this.
Recommended period
Hotel Ringl, Maria Laach: https://www.hotel-ringl-wachau.at/de/ Closed in winter.
Country inn "Zur Weißen Rose" at the marketplace in Maria Laach: www.weisse-rose.cc
Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026