Hiking and Pilgrimage in the Quellenviertel
Amidst forest paths, church spires and quiet little benches, you often find exactly what you weren’t even looking for.
In the Quellenviertel, nobody just walks from A to B.
You set off because your head’s full. Or your heart. Sometimes simply because it smells of the woods outside and the sky is finally blue again.
Amidst rolling hills, small pilgrimage sites, scenic trails and authentic inns, hiking quickly becomes more than just exercise. There’s talking, silence, and wonder. And sometimes you just end up panting – going uphill is just going uphill.
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through the Hausruck Forest, quiet paths along the rivers or a stretch along the European pilgrimage route VIA NOVA: in the Quellenviertel, you’ll find places to keep going and to arrive at the same time.
And as the day draws to a close, a tasty snack is sure to be waiting for you somewhere. It’s lovely to have you here.
You might also be interested in:
The Quellenviertel is as colourful as life itself, so there’s always plenty to discover and experience. Here are a few suggestions for you.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Hiking in the Quellenviertel means: escaping the daily grind and getting into the rhythm of your own pace. Gentle hills, forest trails, meadow paths, orchard meadows, riverside landscapes, small villages and historic towns ensure that you don’t just clock up the kilometres, but also take in the sights. And if you come across a bench, a pub or a viewpoint along the way: stop for a moment. That’s just the way it is.
Both. There are leisurely, mostly flat paths for walks, themed trails and town walks, as well as longer routes and long-distance walking trails. Around Bad Schallerbach, Gallspach, Geboltskirchen, Grieskirchen, Haag am Hausruck, Rottenbach and Wallern, some 55 hiking trails covering 348 kilometres wind their way through rolling countryside, along forest tracks, meadow paths, through villages and over ridges offering spectacular views.
Among the major pilgrimage routes are the Marien-Wanderweg, the VIA NOVA, the Innviertel Way of St James, the St Rupert Pilgrimage Route, the Wolfgangweg and the Arnoweg. They link nature, culture, churches, chapels, monasteries and places of pilgrimage. It’s not just about the feet. It’s also about the mind. And sometimes about the soul.
The VIA NOVA is a European pilgrimage route through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. It was opened in 2005 and is approximately 1,200 kilometres long in total. The route connects Příbram in Bohemia, St Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut and Weltenburg on the Danube. It is designed to be international and non-denominational: open to anyone who wishes to set out and walk.
The Marien Hiking Trail links the historic pilgrimage sites of St. Marienkirchen am Hausruck and Altötting. It is suitable both for day walks covering individual sections and as a long-distance hiking route. The route takes you through beautiful countryside, sometimes far from built-up areas, past churches, chapels, monasteries and places of pilgrimage.
The Marien Hiking Trail runs from St. Marienkirchen am Hausruck via Maria Schmolln to Altötting. At 130 kilometres across 7 stages, with 1,887 metres of ascent and 2,002 metres of descent, it’s no walk in the park, but it’s perfectly manageable if you plan it properly.
No. The Marien-Wanderweg is expressly not a cycle path. It is intended for walking and pilgrimage.
It is important to prepare well, as the route often takes you through countryside far from any built-up areas. You should definitely take plenty of food and drink with you. The starting point is in St. Marienkirchen am Hausruck, about 10 kilometres from Ried im Innkreis; there are car parks at the local council offices. Several stops along the route can be reached by public bus, and some accommodation providers also offer pick-up and drop-off services to and from the trail.
The churches of St Mary’s at Hausruck, Maria Schmolln and Altötting are particularly notable along the route. Maria Schmolln lies roughly halfway along the route and is regarded as an important place of pilgrimage. Altötting, with its ‘Black Madonna’ in the Chapel of Grace, has been an important spiritual centre and a destination for numerous pilgrims for many centuries.
The Innviertel Way of St James forms part of the well-known network of St James’s Ways and links Passau and Salzburg. It winds its way through picturesque countryside and past historic sites. Along the route, you’ll come across ancient churches and monasteries that bear witness to the region’s pilgrimage tradition.
Themed trails, nature trails and educational forest trails are particularly suitable for families. Examples include ‘Im Wald der Kinder’ in Zell am Pettenfirst, the Fuxi Nature Trail in Vöcklabruck, and themed trails featuring information points, games and educational boards. Children won’t get bored there in a hurry. Nor will the adults, for that matter.
Yes. The Agerufer Runde in Schwanenstadt is a good example: 4 kilometres long, around 57 minutes’ walk, suitable for pushchairs, with on-site parking and limited wheelchair access. The circular walk follows a wide, shaded gravel path along both banks of the Ager. Information boards provide insights into the local flora and fauna.
Yes. The Schöndorf audio walk in Vöcklabruck is 2.3 kilometres long, takes around 33 minutes, is very easy, and is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. It starts and ends at the Lower Town Tower. Information is available on 23 stops, either via a brochure and audio guide or via the Hearonymus app on your mobile phone. The Haager Lies walking and cycling path is also well suited to this, thanks to its gentle gradient: 22 kilometres along a former railway line from Haag am Hausruck to Neukirchen bei Lambach.
There’s plenty to see. The Fuxi Nature Trail in Vöcklabruck winds its way through the Pfarrerwald, allowing visitors to discover the forest’s diversity. Several rest areas invite you to take a break. The Schöndorf audio walk combines the town’s history, music and places of interest. Along the Marien Hiking Trail, information boards provide details about herbs associated with the Virgin Mary, which can also be seen in the Maria Schmolln monastery garden and the Hildegard Medicinal Herb Display Garden in Kirchberg.
The forest is a habitat, not just a backdrop for a nice photo. Please stay on marked paths, do not disturb animals, take care of plants and fungi, take your rubbish away with you and observe forestry barriers. Barbecuing and open fires are prohibited in the forest. Please keep dogs on a lead, clear up after them and observe the muzzle requirement near playgrounds. Cycling and horse riding are only permitted on suitable or signposted paths. Wild animals need peace and quiet, particularly during the breeding and rearing season from April to June. ‘It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t do any harm’ – but in this case, it really does.