Mariastein: Pilgrimage, Culture and Cross-Country Skiing

Mariastein combines a distinctive pilgrimage and cultural destination with a documented opportunity for cross-country skiing. The townscape is further shaped by a peaceful high plateau with plenty of green space, forests and a rural character, as well as its location on a ten-metre-high, steeply sloping rock in the Tyrolean lowlands.

Key facts on the subject

• The Mariastein pilgrimage church was built around 1360.
• The miraculous image is a Gothic depiction carved from limewood around 1450 by an unknown master from the Salzburg-Bavarian artistic circle.
• The Tyrolean provincial regalia, including the archducal hat and sceptre, are displayed in the pilgrimage church.
• The castle museum presents historical artefacts, religious artworks and exhibits on the development of the pilgrimage church and its surroundings.
• The Chapel of Grace can be reached from the old castle gate via a 140-step spiral staircase.
• The Mariastein cross-country ski trail is an easy trail measuring 2.3 km, with a connection to the Schneerosental valley and the option of skiing it as a loop.
• Free parking is available directly below the pilgrimage church.

Culture and pilgrimage in Mariastein

The cultural focus lies around the pilgrimage church. It was built around 1360; inside, the Tyrolean provincial regalia, including the archducal hat and sceptre, are displayed. The miraculous image adds a specific work of art to this focus: it is a Gothic limewood depiction carved around 1450. It is attributed to an unknown master from the Salzburg-Bavarian artistic circle.

The castle chapel also has distinctive art-historical features. It contains a Gothic ribbed vault and a Late Gothic Pietà. In the castle museum in the pilgrimage church, you can also see historical artefacts, religious artworks and exhibits documenting the development of the pilgrimage church and its surroundings. Anyone wishing to visit the Knights’ Hall must plan for a guided tour and book in advance.

Cross-country skiing and trails as a winter option

In winter, the Mariastein cross-country ski trail offers a clearly defined cross-country skiing option. The trail is 2.3 km long and easy. It leads directly to the Schneerosental valley as a connecting trail and can also be skied as a loop.

Another option is the Mariasteinerrunde hike via Moosbach. It starts at the car park below the pilgrimage church in Mariastein. The free parking directly below the church therefore provides a practical starting point for this hike and, at the same time, for a visit to the pilgrimage complex. The location on the high plateau, the wooded areas and the rural character give the town a distinctly different setting from a stay focused exclusively on ski pistes.

Opening hours and planning your visit

The Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Mariastein is open continuously from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm in summer and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in winter. This seasonal distinction helps you coordinate your visit to the church with the museum, a hike or the cross-country ski trail. When planning your visit to the Chapel of Grace, you should allow for the 140-step spiral staircase from the old castle gate. Access should therefore be considered a specific part of the visit.

When choosing accommodation in Mariastein, you can weigh these different elements of a day against one another: sacred art and historical exhibits, the opening hours of the pilgrimage church, a short cross-country ski trail or a hike starting from the car park. This keeps the decision focused on the experiences you actually want and does not assume any accommodation features that have not been mentioned.

For further location comparisons, you can also compare Rettenschöss, Landl, Niederndorferberg, Hinterthiersee, Bad Häring, Vorderthiersee, Kufstein and Angerberg.

FAQ

How long is the Mariastein cross-country ski trail?

The Mariastein cross-country ski trail is 2.3 km long and is an easy trail.

Does the trail continue into another area?

Yes. It leads directly to the Schneerosental valley as a connecting trail and can also be skied as a loop.

When is the pilgrimage church open?

In summer, it is open continuously from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. In winter, opening hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

How do you reach the Chapel of Grace?

A 140-step spiral staircase leads from the old castle gate to the Chapel of Grace.

Is the Knights’ Hall accessible at any time?

No. The Knights’ Hall in the Mariastein castle museum can only be visited with a guided tour and by booking in advance.

Where can you park near the pilgrimage church?

Free parking is available directly below the Mariastein pilgrimage church.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kufstein District.