Kaltenberg combines a Marian pilgrimage site with a natural viewing terrace high above Unterweißenbach. The panoramic views and pilgrimage church meet hiking trails with significantly different time requirements. You can focus your stay on culture or make a circular hike the main activity. When planning, it is worth checking the walking times and the features of each trail: the Way of the Cross climbs uphill to a destination, while the two circular trails cover different time blocks.

Pilgrimage Church, Chapel and Spring

The present-day Marian Pilgrimage Church of Kaltenberg was built from 1798 to 1803 and is dedicated to the Visitation of Mary. It houses a late Gothic Madonna from the first half of the 15th century. The statue is therefore several centuries older than the present-day church. The Marian Pilgrimage Church is a popular destination in the Mühlviertel and is located along Kaltenberg’s hiking trails.

The Ursprungskapelle (Chapel of the Origin) is near Kaltenberg, right on the Johannesweg and the circular hiking trails. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared at this site. The Augenbründl spring is very close to the village. Its water can be used as drinking water; it is traditionally believed to have healing or soothing properties. The chapel and spring thus offer further, distinct connections to the village’s history and traditions.

Hiking Trails with Different Time Requirements

The Way of the Cross climbs uphill through 14 stations from the neighboring municipality of Unterweißenbach to the Marian pilgrimage site of Kaltenberg. Unlike a circular hike, it connects a starting point with a destination; the 14 stations shape the route.

The Urkraftweg is a 19.3 km circular hiking trail with around 600 metres of elevation gain and a walking time of about 6.5 hours. The trail includes a Kneipp spot, idyllic resting places and nine reflection stations. This makes it the longer of the two circular routes described and means it requires a correspondingly larger time block.

The Obergrabenweg is also a circular route, but of a different length: it is 7.5 km long, has around 230 metres of elevation gain and is suitable for a hike of about two hours. Compared with the Urkraftweg, it is the more compact option if you would like to set aside a shorter time block for your tour. The trail leads to Rifflberg, where it offers panoramic views across the Mühlviertel hills towards Sandl. The Obergrabenweg is also home to the Steinerne Kornmandl and the Phallussteine, imposing rock formations of the Mühlviertel.

You can join the Urkraftweg at various points; its official starting point is at the hiking trailhead in Kaltenberg village. Kaltenberg’s free hiking map is available from the municipality, at the hiking trailhead and from local tourism businesses. As route information can change, check the current tour description before setting out, especially if the walking time determines your daily schedule.

More Activities

Kaltenberg is right on the Tour de Alm, which can be explored by road bike. So, in addition to the hiking trails, a cycling route is another option for your trip.

For groups of six or more, the BioBrennerei Thauerböck in Kaltenberg offers farm tours and distillery tours with tastings by prior arrangement. When planning, take both the advance booking requirement and the minimum group size into account.

Discover more destinations: Wullowitz, Tragwein, Unterweißenbach, Liebenau, Wartberg Ob Der Aist, Neumarkt Im Mühlkreis, Hirschbach Im Mühlkreis, Bad Zell.

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