Discover Maria Laach Am Jauerling

Maria Laach am Jauerling combines nature experiences, sacred art and regional tradition in a unique way. The village is located in the heart of the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park and is an ideal destination for anyone wishing to spend their stay hiking, exploring culture and gaining insights into life on the Jauerling.

Hiking between the high plateau and woodland paths

One particularly distinctive way to experience the landscape is the Maria Laach–Jauerling hike. It leads across the Jauerling high plateau and along gentle woodland paths. The Maria Laach–Jauerling hiking trail is consistently and uniformly signposted with yellow signs. This information will help you plan your day without requiring you to commit to a specific walking time.

The Maria Laach Energy Trail also has its own special character. It leads past eleven stations, including the Sound Station, the Terraced Path and the Stone Gate. Those travelling with different interests can therefore vary their hiking plans: on one tour, the landscape takes centre stage, while on another, the deliberately designed stations along the trail are the main focus.

Another trail combines religious and regional history. The Three Churches Trail connects the original parish church of St Stephen in Weiten, the pilgrimage church of St Andrew in Heiligenblut and the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Maria Laach. The trail ends at the Mariae Heimsuchung pilgrimage church in Maria Laach.

Pilgrimage church and Late Gothic art

The Maria Laach pilgrimage church has largely preserved its medieval furnishings. It houses the miraculous image known as “Maria Sechsfinger”. The parish and pilgrimage church of Maria Laach also contains a double-winged altarpiece created in 1480, which is considered one of the best-preserved Late Gothic examples of carving and painting in Lower Austria. Maria Laach therefore offers not only trails through the nature park, but also a cultural highlight for a day trip.

Those travelling with children can consciously combine these different interests: a hike, a stop at one of the trail stations and exploring a special work of art each offer their own opportunities for discovery. There is no need to follow a fixed order; you can plan your days according to the weather, your fitness and your curiosity.

Farmers’ market and views from the Jauerling

The Maria Laach farmers’ market takes place every Saturday at the Kerblerhaus on the market square in Maria Laach. It offers specialities from farmers in the Jauerling region. The market is therefore a specific date to include in your travel plans and complements the nature and cultural experiences with a regional culinary aspect.

For another excursion, the Jauerling observation tower is a worthwhile destination. Built of wood, the observation tower is 38 m high and stands at an elevation of 960 m. From there, the panoramic view stretches from the Danube Valley across the Dunkelsteinerwald to the Alps and the southern Waldviertel. A holiday apartment in Maria Laach Am Jauerling may therefore be particularly appealing to travellers who wish to combine hiking, panoramic views and regional culture during their holiday.

Getting there and further travel ideas

The Jauerling call bus operates at weekends. It connects the nature park municipalities of Aggsbach, Emmersdorf, Maria Laach, Mühldorf, Raxendorf, Spitz and Weiten. For your planning, it is worth considering the places mentioned and your preferred focus for the stay together. Other destinations for comparing your travel plans include Langenlois, Vießling, Bergern Im Dunkelsteinerwald, Spitz, Mühldorf, Grafenegg, Krustetten and Stratzing.

For the overarching travel overview: Krems-Land.