Annaberg Near Mariazell: Via Sacra, Church and Nature

Annaberg Near Mariazell lies in Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park at an altitude of 700 to 1,400 metres, between Mariazellerland and Ötscherland. The village combines the Via Sacra with a history that can be seen at St. Anne’s Pilgrimage Church and along the Annaberg Stations of the Cross. There are also forest stations, hikes and outdoor activities. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on the pilgrimage route and church art, the landscape or physical activity.

Via Sacra and Church Art

Annaberg is a stop on the Via Sacra, the pilgrimage route to Mariazell. From Annaberg, the route continues via Joachimsberg, Wienerbruck, Josefsberg, Mitterbach and St. Sebastian to Mariazell. The village’s connection to the route is also reflected in St. Anne’s Pilgrimage Church: in 1217, monks from Lilienfeld Abbey built the first chapel on its grounds. The church houses a St. Anne with the Virgin Mary and Child group dating from 1440, attributed to Jakob Kaschauer.

The Annaberg Stations of the Cross are another landmark of cultural history. Prof. Sepp Gamsjäger created them in 1973, using 14 panels. The original images were fired onto enamel plates and placed in 14 frames along the Via Sacra, leading up to Annaberg Parish Church. Along the pilgrimage route, you will encounter both the connection to Mariazell and a distinct series of images with a specific artistic design.

Culture and Other Activities

Portrait and watercolour seminars are held every year in and around Gamsburg. Riding lessons and equestrian programmes are also available in Annaberg year-round. These activities offer a different focus from a visit to the pilgrimage church, complementing the cultural attractions with art seminars and riding.

Forest Trails and Mountain Views

The Annaberg Nature Trail features 21 stations sharing information about the forest ecosystem. It lies in the Ötscher-Dürnstein Protected Landscape Area. Another hike is called Annaberg–Weißes Kreuz–Hennesteck–Annaberg; it starts at the car park by the municipal office. You can choose between a trail with stations about the forest and a hike with named waypoints.

The Tirolerkogel route reaches an altitude of 1,377 metres at its highest point and offers views of Ötscher, Dürrenstein, Gemeindealpe, Gippel, Göller, Schneeberg and the Hochschwab Group. The route is also used by snowshoers, ski tourers and tobogganers. Another mountain option begins with a ride on the Annaberger Lifte up to an altitude of 1,300 metres. From there, a short hike loops around the reservoir and leads to the summit of Hennesteck.

Cross-Country Ski Trails, Bike Park and Zipline

The Annaberg cross-country ski trail is seven kilometres long. It runs from the car park to Tirolerkogel, around Scheiblingberg and onto a high plateau; both a classic track and a skating track are available. For mountain biking, the freely accessible Annaberg Mini Bike Park offers a pump track, skill track, flow line and skills line. The flow line is 700 metres long. The Annaberg Zipline runs along four parallel cables and covers a vertical drop of 386 metres.

Niki’s Alpine Adventure features stations with games, puzzles and stories that invite visitors to take part. A motor skills course is located right by the Annaberger Lifte ticket point. Both activities complement the trails and sports options with additional interactive stations and a course.

Getting There and Parking

Postbus route 169 runs directly from Vienna to Annaberg. Check the timetable before travelling. Free parking is available directly behind the church, by the municipal office at Annarotte 14, 3222 Annaberg. Alternatively, you can use the Annaberger Lifte car park at Annarotte 126, 3222 Annaberg. If you are travelling by car, check local parking conditions in advance if necessary.

Discover more destinations: Erlaufboden, Türnitz, Wienerbruck, Traisen, Mitterbach am Erlaufsee, Hohenberg, Kaumberg, Eschenau an der Traisen.

Return to the main travel overview: Lilienfeld.