Kaltenberg: Hiking and the Pilgrimage Church

Kaltenberg combines hiking trails with an important place of pilgrimage and panoramic views across the rolling hills of the Mühlviertel. During your stay, you can choose from circular hikes of varying lengths, the Stations of the Cross and trails with historic connections. The late Gothic Madonna in the pilgrimage church and the Ursprungskapelle (Chapel of the Origin) are also among the town’s special places to visit.

Hiking trails by distance and walking time

The Urkraftweg is the longer of the two circular hiking trails described: it is 19.3 kilometres long, includes around 600 metres of elevation gain and takes approximately 6.5 hours to walk. The trail features nine reflection stations, a Kneipp spot and rest areas. These stations and spots are specific places to stop along the extensive circular route.

At 7.5 kilometres, around 230 metres of elevation gain and approximately two hours of walking time, the Obergrabenweg is considerably shorter. This makes it easy to compare the two circular routes by distance and time, while also keeping their elevation gain in mind. The Obergrabenweg leads to Rifflberg, where the panoramic view stretches across the rolling hills of the Mühlviertel towards Sandl.

The Obergrabenweg also passes the Steinerne Kornmandl and the Phallussteine, impressive rock formations in the Mühlviertel. Hikers who want to include these formations in their walk will find them along the trail. The Urkraftweg, by contrast, has its own highlights: reflection stations, a Kneipp spot and rest areas.

The Urkraftweg can be joined at various points; its official starting point is at the hiking trailhead in the village of Kaltenberg. You can get a hiking map free of charge from the municipality, at the hiking trailhead and from local tourism businesses. The Stations of the Cross runs uphill from the neighbouring municipality of Unterweißenbach to the Marian pilgrimage site of Kaltenberg, passing 14 stations. The stations and the climb to the destination shape this route.

The pilgrimage church and places of tradition

The Marian Pilgrimage Church of Kaltenberg was built between 1798 and 1803 and is dedicated to the Visitation of Mary. Inside is a late Gothic Madonna dating from the first half of the 15th century. The Madonna is therefore several centuries older than the present church building. The church is a place to visit in the Mühlviertel and lies along Kaltenberg’s hiking trails.

The Ursprungskapelle (Chapel of the Origin) is located near Kaltenberg, directly on the Johannesweg and the circular hiking trails. It stands at the place where the apparition of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred. This connection to the tradition is a distinct point of interest alongside the history of the pilgrimage church.

The Augenbründl spring is also close to the village. The water from the spring is traditionally believed to have healing or soothing properties; it can also be used as drinking water. The traditional belief and its use as drinking water are two different aspects of the site.

Views and other activities

Kaltenberg sits on a natural viewing terrace high above Unterweißenbach and offers panoramic views. The Obergrabenweg also leads to a viewpoint: from Rifflberg, you can look across the rolling hills of the Mühlviertel towards Sandl. The two viewpoints are distinct: the terrace above Unterweißenbach and the view from Rifflberg along the hiking trail.

Cycling is another option for your stay: Kaltenberg lies directly on the Tour de Alm, which you can explore from here by road bike. For a different glimpse of the area, BioBrennerei Thauerböck offers farm tours and distillery visits with tastings. These visits are available by prior arrangement for groups of six or more.

Discover more destinations: Lasberg, Bad Zell, Wartberg Ob Der Aist, Unterweitersdorf, Weitersfelden, Tragwein, Pierbach, Waldburg

For the main travel overview: Freistadt.