Kapellen: Hiking, Caves and Pilgrimage History

Kapellen can be explored through several specific interests: pilgrimage history, geological features, and trails for walking or cycling. When looking for a hotel in Kapellen, these topics can help guide you as you consider what activities to include in your stay. The town’s history is reflected in the parish church and its connection to Mariazell; hiking trails around Kapellen lead to caves, summit crosses and viewpoints.

Pilgrimage Route and Church History

The name Kapellen derives from a chapel dedicated to Saint Margaret, which was mentioned in 1329. The parish church in Kapellen features the coats of arms of former abbots of Neuberg, who are named as patrons of works of art. Many pilgrims travelling to Mariazell pass through Kapellen on foot or by vehicle. The connection to Mariazell is therefore a distinct aspect of the town’s history, alongside the chapel’s dedication and the artworks in the parish church.

The parish church is also included on the Neuberg an der Mürz Nature and Culture Hiking Trail: it is one of the sights along the route. Combining a hike with a visit to the church may interest travellers who want to include cultural history in their route planning. The trail runs along the Mürz through Mürzer Oberland Nature Park, from Neuberg an der Mürz to Kapellen.

Bleiweißgrube: Geology and Prehistory

Bleiweißgrube is designated a natural monument. The cave features extensive wall and ceiling sinter formations, as well as moonmilk deposits. There is also an archaeological discovery: in 1948, the only Palaeolithic artefact known from the Upper Mürz Valley to date was found there. This find has led to the conclusion that the cave may have served as a shelter for Palaeolithic hunters. This remains a possibility, not a definitive statement about how the cave was used.

You can explore Bleiweißgrube on your own; a new staircase makes the entrance easier to access. The round trip takes around two hours on foot and covers about two kilometres. These details can help you plan how much time to allow for a cave visit. If you would rather visit Bleiweißgrube as part of a longer hike, it is also on the alpine railway hiking trail “Welterberegion – Naturpark Mürzer Oberland”: the route passes downhill by the cave on its way to Kapellen.

Hikes for Different Time Frames

The marked trail from Kapellen to the Plodererkreuz summit cross takes around 30 minutes on foot. From Plodererkreuz, you can enjoy a panorama of the Rax. A longer option is BergZeitReise day tour tip 9, “From Kapellen to Hohe Scheibe”: it leads from Kapellen to the 1,473-metre-high Hohe Scheibe and takes about three and a half hours. The different durations give you a specific point of reference when choosing between a shorter walk to the summit cross and a longer day hike.

A trail from Kapellen passes Windloch, a cave about 60 metres long from which air constantly blows out. The Neuberg an der Mürz Nature and Culture Hiking Trail, by contrast, focuses on the section along the Mürz through the nature park. It runs from Neuberg an der Mürz to Kapellen, with the parish church among the sights along the way. This means you can consider caves, viewpoints and the riverside route as different hiking destinations, without combining them into a single circular tour.

Cycling and Cross-Country Skiing

The Mürztal Cycle Route R5 starts in Mürzsteg and is 68 kilometres long. It runs mostly gently downhill and is considered manageable for children and less experienced cyclists. Another regional cycling route is the railway-track cycling route along the Mürztal Cycle Route. It follows the former railway line of the Neuberger Bahn through Mürzer Oberland Nature Park, alongside the Mürz from Mürzsteg via Neuberg an der Mürz to Mürzzuschlag. This tour is particularly suitable for families.

The BergRadlRunde Urani in Mürzer Oberland Nature Park starts at the former railway station in Kapellen. For winter planning, there is also the cross-country ski trail on Försterwiese in Kapellen: it is described as an easy, one-kilometre trail for classic technique. Confirm locally that it is operating in winter. The cycling and winter activities therefore differ both in their route format and in the season relevant to your plans.

Crafts and Dining

At the Kapellen Spinnstube, visitors are shown the traditional craft of spinning. Models made from hand-spun sheep’s wool are available to view and purchase. If you plan to visit the Spinnstube, confirm the visit and presentation in advance. This will make it easier to coordinate your visit with your other activities.

Gleis1 Kapellen restaurant is located in the listed former railway station building and serves regional and seasonal dishes. As opening details and offerings may change, check the latest information before visiting. The historic railway station building is part of the restaurant’s connection to the town, while the dishes reflect its regional and seasonal focus.

Getting There and Practical Information

From Mürzzuschlag railway station, take RegioBus route 189 to the Kapellen Kirche stop. Another connection, route 187, goes to the municipal office in Spital am Semmering. You can reach the Neuberg an der Mürz Nature and Culture Hiking Trail from Mürzzuschlag ÖBB Intercity station on RegioBus route 189 to Neuberg an der Mürz or Krampen. Check the current timetable before travelling, as route details may change.

When choosing activities, you can weigh up different durations and themes: the walk to Plodererkreuz is listed as taking around 30 minutes on foot, Bleiweißgrube takes around two hours for the return journey, and the tour to Hohe Scheibe takes about three and a half hours. Pilgrimage history, church art, cycling routes and the seasonal cross-country ski trail provide further options for your stay in Kapellen.

Discover more destinations: Stanz Im Mürztal, Semmering, Krieglach, Veitsch, Spital Am Semmering, Neuberg, Allerheiligen Im Mürztal, Langenwang.

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