Where: Mariazell & surroundings in Styria, on the border to Lower Austria
How to get there: from Wien HBF or Westbahnhof to St. Pölten (30min), then take the Mariazellerbahn to Mariazell (around 2h)
Mariazell is known for being a place of pilgrimage, mainly because of the Basilica located there (and probably a bunch of other reasons). However, we’re recommending it based more on it’s nature and the mountains credentials. Plus, it’s not that far away from Vienna, meaning you can be back in the (home) office by Monday.
Even the train ride on the Mariazellerbahn is a mini-nature adventure on its own – you’ll be riding on board Austria’s longest narrow-gauge railway through the beautiful Pielach Valley, and then up to Mariazell.
From the town of Mariazell, you can go on various hikes, and explore the surrounding mountains, such as the Bürgeralpe, the Gemeindealpe, and even the tallest mountain of Lower Austria, the Ötscher.
There’s also the ‘Erlaufsee’ and ‘Hubertussee’ lakes that are great for swimming and other water activities.
