Via Maria - 8th day stage from St. Wolfgang to Ebensee am Traunsee

Via Maria
Bavarian-Austrian Marienweg (pilgrimage) from Altötting to Mariazell

8th daily stage from St. Wolfgang via Bad Ischl to Ebensee am Traunsee (32 km)
St. Wolfgang - Schwarzenbach - Rußbach - Nussensee - Elisabeth Waldweg - Bad Ischl - Bran-denberg - Mitterweißbach - Langwies - Ebensee am Traunsee (Salzkammergut Soleweg)

Pilgrimage along Alpine long-distance hiking trails from Altötting through the Salzkammergut to Mariazell

This stage leads from St. Wolfgang through the village of Au along the edge of the forest toward Schwarzensee and on to Schwarzenbach. From there, the route continues through Rußbach and past the beautifully situated Nussensee along the Elisabeth Forest Trail, which leads directly to the Lehar town of Bad Ischl ( at an elevation of 469 m). Passing the famous Trinkhalle—which also houses the Bad Ischl tourist office—head toward the Bad Ischl train station, then continue across the Steinfeld Bridge to the right bank of the Traun River. Pass through the neighborhoods of Steinfeld and Brandenberg until you reach the wastewater treatment plant.
Before the lime plant, cross to the other side of the Traun River and follow the bike path alongside the federal highway for a short distance (or take the MTB route, which requires crossing the federal highway shortly afterward but does not run directly alongside the road). Crossing the Mitterweißenbach Bridge brings us back to the right bank of the Traun. On this quieter side of the Traun, the route continues just past Langwies, passing small settlements and farmsteads through the plain before Ebensee. Please note that the two train stations, Mitterweißenbach and Langwies, are no longer in service. From here, you can either take bus line 505 or, from Langwies, the Traunstein Taxi toward Ebensee.

Below the Kalvarienberg Church, the Soleweg reaches the old center of Ebensee on Lake Traunsee (425 m).

From St. Wolfgang, it’s just under an hour to Schwarzenbach and another 2.5 hours to Bad Ischl; about 1 hour to Mitterweißenbach, 1 hour to Langwies, and about 2.5 hours to Ebensee.

Overnight Stays/Refreshments:
in Bad Ischl: Youth Hostel, Gasthof Sandwirt, Gasthof zum Pfandl
in Ebensee: Schlafmeile Traunsee, “Haus Ahamer” Guesthouse, Gasthof Kofler

Sights:
Bad Ischl: St. Nicholas Parish Church, Calvary Church, Imperial Villa & Imperial Park, Trinkhalle, Lehár Villa, Zauner Pastry Shop, Salzkammergut Thermal Baths
in Ebensee: St. Josef Parish Church, Kalvarienberg Church, Concentration Camp Memorial and Museum of Contemporary History, Salzkammergut Natural History Museum, Gassel Stalactite Cave

Information:
in Bad Ischl: Salzkammergut Tourismus Marketing GmbH, Bad Ischl Tourist Office, www.badischl.at, Tel. +43 (0)6132/26909-300
In Ebensee: Salzkammergut Tourism Marketing GmbH, Ebensee Tourist Office, https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/ebensee.html, Tel. +43 (0)6132/26909-702