Quiet streams and distinctive ravines carved by mountain torrents shape the Marien Hiking Trail; the town’s history goes back to a time when Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck was a pilgrimage site. When planning your stay, you can therefore focus on different things, from hiking tours to historic sites.
Hiking the Marien Hiking Trail and in the Hausruck
Founded in 2014, the cross-border Marien Hiking Trail connects notable Marian sites from Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck in Upper Austria, via Burghausen, to Altötting in Bavaria, and is 130 kilometres long. Sankt Marienkirchen and Altötting are also linked as historic pilgrimage sites. The trail is suitable both for day hikes along individual sections and as a long-distance hiking trail. These two ways of using it involve different levels of planning: you can choose individual day sections or consider the longer route as a whole.
The Marien Hiking Trail runs mostly along natural paths. The landscape features described include small, quiet streams, impressive ravines carved by mountain torrents, ponds or kettle holes, and steep walls with unusual rock faces. The trail surface and the varied landscape features are therefore among the defining characteristics of this hike. Check trail conditions before setting out.
Another route described is the Hausruck hike. It leads from the Hohes Kreuz car park near Haag am Hausruck to the boundary stone, via Symbrunn or, alternatively, via Luisenhöhe and the observation tower. From there, it continues to the Feuerwehrkreuz and along the Way of the Cross to Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck. The stated driving route to the Hausruck hike is via the A8 and the Haag am Hausruck exit, both from the direction of Passau and from the direction of Linz. Unlike the 130-kilometre Marien Hiking Trail, this route focuses on a specific itinerary from Haag am Hausruck to Sankt Marienkirchen.
Parish Church, Rectory, and Pilgrimage History
The Catholic parish church of the Assumption of Mary is a listed building and was probably built around 1450. The present-day rectory is also a protected historic building: it was built between 1862 and 1864 and is listed together with the farm buildings. The church and rectory represent different periods in the town’s architectural history.
The church’s history can be traced back further. Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck became an independent parish in 1785; before that, the community was served by clergy from the parish of Eberschwang. Until the 18th century, the town was a thriving pilgrimage site. From 1783 to 1785, pilgrimages were prohibited under Emperor Joseph II. After that, the parish community did not develop into a pilgrimage site again.
In 1985, the Nikolaus Chapel was built in Pilgersham on the site of the former Nikolaus Church. It adds another specific connection to the town’s religious history alongside the parish church and rectory.
Sports and Produce from the Farm
Opened in 2009, the FunCourt opposite the municipal depot offers a playing field for children and adults to enjoy various sports, including basketball, football, and badminton. As facilities and access may change, check both before visiting.
The Wellinger organic farm in Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck runs a farm shop selling produce from its own farm. For travellers who want to include local produce in their plans alongside hiking trails and culture, the farm shop offers a direct connection to local agriculture.
Discover More Destinations
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