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Marterlweg
Hiking tour Starting from Panorama board at Herrensee/town square
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7,96 km
- Duration: 2:00 h
- Ascent: 77 m elevation gain
- Descent: 84 m elevation gain
Circular hiking trail no. 17 A hike for lovers of historical sites!
- Starting point of the tour
- Panorama board at Herrensee/town square
- Tour destination
- Panorama board at Herrensee/town square
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7,96 km
- Duration: 2:00 h
- Ascent: 77 m elevation gain
- Descent: 84 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:2/6
- Overall experience:3/6
- Scenery:3/6
- Lowest point525 m
- Highest point602 m
- Round tour
- With refreshment stops
Description
The first stop on the Marterlweg trail is the gallows cross, a simple stone cross made of granite in the middle of a wooded area, which is the subject of many legends. Be it as a boundary marker for the three districts of Litschau, Illmau and Heidenreichstein, as a tomb for a sinner who was stoned to death (the village of Loimanns is located on the Galgenberg) or as a reminder of the expulsion of the Protestants.
In Loimanns, the deaf-mute chapel, built in 1979 by many helpers and privately financed, is particularly eye-catching with its tower, which is vaguely reminiscent of a minaret.
There are gruesome stories to tell about the Antonius Column. For example, it is said to have been the last opportunity for the condemned to pray before their execution or even the place of execution itself.
There is another wayside cross near the Föhrenteich pond. And about the altar stone not too far away, a 1.5 meter granite block, many legends are told.
- safety instructions Route characteristics: 20% asphalt, 80% forest and meadow pathsMake sure when choosing the route that it matches your fitness. Check if the gastronomy businesses you want to visit along the way are open. Pack your mobile phone and map materials in your backpack.
- Equipment Sturdy footwear, functional clothing, sun and rain protection, maps, if necessary telescopic poles, first aid kit (blister plasters), sufficient provisions (snacks, muesli bars, fruit, water).
- Route description Starting from the Herrensee, go right along the old city wall to the Mörterteich or the secondary school. Then right through Josef-Gangl-Straße to Südstraße and then left through the residential area to the edge of the forest. Here a 5-minute detour to the Galgenkreuz is worthwhile. Continue straight uphill along the forest edge, turn right at a narrow street to Loimanns. Pass the Taubstummenkapelle on the right through the village to Wiener Straße up to the Antoniussäule. A short stretch on the main street back into the village, then right towards Kibitzhäuser. Then again right towards Litschau, past the Föhrenteich. Over the Mühlweg, it goes back to the starting point of the hike.
- Parking Free parking at the town square as well as Park & Ride facilities nearby
- Getting there By bus from Göpfritz or Gmünd to Litschau. Particularly recommended is the journey from Gmünd to Litschau by the nostalgic Waldviertelbahn.
- Public transport You can plan your exact route with the VOR route planner. www.vor.at
- Editor’s tip Take part in a city tour or visit the local history museum, where you can learn a lot of exciting things!
Recommended period
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Town of Litschau
Tourism Information
3874 Litschau, Stadtplatz 25
(T) +43 2865 219-24
(E) gemeinde@litschau.at
(I) www.litschau.at
Waldviertel Tourism
3910 Zwettl, Sparkassenplatz 1/2/2
(T) +43 2822 54109
(E) info@waldviertel.at
(I) www.waldviertel.at
Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026