Sankt Leonhard: Pilgrimage Church and Four Mountains Trail

Sankt Leonhard is defined by its pilgrimage church and the Four Mountains Trail. For planning your trip, the key attractions are a sacred site on a hill above the Glan Valley and a certified long-distance hiking trail through a cultural landscape shaped over thousands of years. The traditional Four Mountains Run is another highlight, with a date that depends on Easter. Depending on whether you want to focus on the church, a stage on foot or the tradition, different details will matter for your stay.

The pilgrimage church above the Glan Valley

The Federal Monuments Authority lists the branch church of Sankt Leonhard as a protected monument in its 2026 register. The church stands on a prominent hill above the Glan Valley and is the pilgrimage church at the end of the third stage of the Four Mountains Trail. Its monument status, role as a pilgrimage site and position above the valley all come together at one specific destination. This gives your trip a clear cultural and scenic focus.

Four Mountains Trail: stages and orientation

The Four Mountains Trail crosses four holy mountains and passes through a cultural landscape shaped over thousands of years. Its third stage runs from the Duke’s Chair to St. Leonhard near Liebenfels and ends at the pilgrimage church. The fourth stage first passes through Sankt Leonhard; only after that does the ascent over the so-called Kulm begin. This distinction is important when choosing a stage: Sankt Leonhard is the destination on the third stage, and a place to pass through before the ascent on the fourth.

On the onward route from Sankt Leonhard to Kulmbauer, the Veitsberg can be seen. Kulm and Veitsberg serve as different points of reference: Kulm denotes the ascent that begins after passing through Sankt Leonhard, while Veitsberg is visible on the subsequent route to Kulmbauer. So, when following the route, it helps to distinguish between the ascent and this later landscape feature.

The Four Mountains Run and its annual date

The Four Mountains Trail largely follows the route of the traditional 52-kilometre Four Mountains Run. This centuries-old custom takes place every year on the so-called Dreinagelfreitag, the second Friday after Easter. Its date therefore depends on Easter and does not fall on a fixed calendar date. The Four Mountains Trail runs as far as St. Leonhard.

If you want to plan your trip around the tradition, the second Friday after Easter is the date to keep in mind. For a hike, however, the information for the individual stage is what matters most. The largely overlapping routes connect the long-distance trail with the tradition, but a multi-stage hike and the annual custom are not the same reason to travel.

Getting there and practical planning

There is a rail connection in Liebenfels, two kilometres away. To get to the fourth stage, you can also take bus route 643: it runs from St. Veit an der Glan station towards Glanegg BHF and stops at St. Leonhardt bei Liebenfels. Check the current train and bus timetables before travelling. If you are walking, you should also check local conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Reichenau, Glanegg, Gnesau, Briefelsdorf, Himmelberg, Turracherhöhe, Poitschach, Steuerberg

Go to the main travel overview: Feldkirchen.