Etmißl: Hiking in the Hochschwab and Discovering Chapels

Etmißl is best experienced through its walking and hiking opportunities, along with a number of distinctive chapels and St. Anne’s Church. The destinations offer different highlights: viewpoints take in the Hochschwab massif, routes lead to named chapels, and St. Anne’s Church adds a historic and architectural landmark to the trails. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether walking paths, a longer hiking stage, or the local religious buildings will be your main focus.

Walking Paths and Orientation at Sommerstall

Etmißl offers scenic walking paths with views of the Hochschwab. At Sommerstall, there is a viewing tower with a panoramic information board about the Hochschwab massif, as well as benches for resting. The Sommerstall linden tree is a point of interest along the Sommerstall Trail. A parking area for this trail is near the Etmißl fire station. Those who want to enjoy a view and take a break during their walk can find both at Sommerstall; the linden tree is another named destination along the trail.

Hiking Trails with Different Destinations

A longer tour follows Stage 02 of the “BergZeitReise” from Etmißl via Tragöß and the Green Lake to the Sonnschienalm. The stage starts at the small parish church in Etmißl and follows the Oischingbach stream to the Joser Chapel. The walk from Etmißl to Tragöß takes around three hours. This approximate time applies to the section as far as Tragöß, not to the entire route to the Sonnschienalm. This distinction is important when planning the stages: the three hours refer to a specified part of the tour, while the stage as a whole includes further destinations.

Another route starts in the town center: “From Etmißl to Floning, 1,583 m.” Shortly after setting off, it leads to the wooden French Chapel, also called the French Cross. The two names refer to the same destination and help you recognize it in the route description.

St. Anne’s Church and Chapels

St. Anne’s Church in Etmißl was consecrated on September 24, 1865. Since 1867, a service has been held there every other Sunday, alternating with St. Ilgen; check locally for the current schedule before visiting. The church interior has a single nave and ends in a 5/8 choir at the west. The dates mark two different aspects: 1865 is the year the church was consecrated, and 1867 marks the start of the alternating service tradition. This distinguishes the building’s history from its worship tradition.

Kapellenberg is a small wooden chapel accessible via a Stations of the Cross path. At Steiner Kreuz, the focus is on stopping for a break and quiet reflection. The two places offer different experiences: at Kapellenberg, the structure and Stations of the Cross path are part of the destination, while Steiner Kreuz is associated above all with a moment of quiet reflection. Together with St. Anne’s Church and the French Chapel, they add several distinct religious sites to the hiking destinations.

Discover more destinations: Thörl, Tragöß, Aflenz Land, Gußwerk, Oberaich, Sankt Sebastian, Aflenz Kurort, Mariazell

Go to the overview of the wider region: Bruck An Der Mur.