Mariazell Tourist Attractions

North of Mariazell there are superb views from the Bürgeralpe (1,267m/4,157ft; hotel) which can be reached by cableway. The descent on foot by way of the Hohlenstein (with a small cave) takes 1.75 hours.

3.5km/2mi to the northwest of Mariazell lies the beautiful Erlaufsee, and 2km/1.25mi further north is the lower station of the cableway to the Gemeindealpe (1,626m/5,335ft), from which there are extensive views.

16km/10mi to the north of Mariazell lies the winter and summer resort of Wienerbruck (795m/2,608ft), from which the Ötscher (1,892m/6,208ft) can be climbed (6.5 hours) by way of the Ötschergräben. The caves on the southeast face are of interest for their ice formations. There is a chairlift up to the Ötscherhaus (1,420m/4,659ft; inn); the lower station is in the village of Lackenhof (810m/2,658ft), on the western side, which can be reached from Mariazell on a mountain road (30km/19mi) running northeastward through beautiful scenery.

A narrow but very beautiful road runs 13km/8mi south from Mariazell to the Niederalplpass (1,229m/4,032ft; gradients up to 22%, 1 in 4.5), which links the valley with the parallel valley of the Mürz. From the pass there are views of the Raxalpe and the Schneeberg.

From the hamlet of Niederalpl, south of Mariazell, (648m/2,126ft) the Hohe Veitsch (1,982m/6,503ft) can be climbed in 2.5-3 hours. Nearby are the Veitschalpe.

The road running south from Mariazell to Bruck climbs to the Seebergpass (1,254m/4,114ft), a meadow-covered saddle surrounded by forest below the eastern face of the Hochschwab group. From the holiday resort of Seeweisen (986m/3,235ft), to the south of the pass, the Hochschwab (2,277m/7,471ft; skiing) can be climbed in 5.5 hours.

From Aflenz (765m/2,510ft), south of Mariazell, it is worth taking the cableway to the Bürgeralm (1,506m/4,941ft; inn) and from there to the summit of the Windgrube (1,818m/5,965ft) from where there are magnificent panoramic views.