Hörsching – Wilhering Abbey

From Hörsching towards Kürnberg Forest

This stage is intentionally kept a bit shorter. This leaves time in the afternoon for arrival at Wilhering Abbey, for sightseeing, prayer, quiet reflection, rest, or practical matters like doing laundry.

We start in Hörsching at Brucknerplatz or by the church. From there, the path leads via Oftheringerstraße to Theninger Bundesstraße. Near the airport, we pass through an industrial area and reach the other side of the railway tracks via an underpass.

We first walk along the railway, then turn left and follow a field or farm track to Thurnharting. There, the path leads down the hill. We briefly turn right onto the road towards Hitzing and immediately turn left again towards Dörnbach.

Dörnbach and Pilgrimage Church Maria vom Guten Rat

In the village of Dörnbach, we turn right at an inn and soon after see the pilgrimage church Maria vom Guten Rat. After that, it goes uphill: the Jerusalem Way continues through the Kürnberg Forest and along the Salzsteigweg to Prinzensteig.

We follow the signs down to the left. Soon we see Wilhering Cistercian Abbey and thus reach the Danube. Further information: Wilhering Abbey

Wilhering Abbey – an important hub on the Jerusalem Way

At Wilhering Abbey, the main route of the Jerusalem Way, coming from Spain, reaches the Danube for the first time. At the same time, the feeder route coming from Germany via Passau joins the main route here. This makes Wilhering an important hub on the Jerusalem Way.

From here, the routes coming from Germany and the main route continue together via Linz, Mauthausen, the founding region of the Jerusalem Way, the Wachau, Vienna, the Balkans, and Turkey towards Jerusalem.

The Danube will accompany the Jerusalem Way for a long time – sometimes very close, sometimes from a distance. It will thus become an important line of orientation for many more stages on the way to the East.

Further information on the Jerusalem Ways in Germany

Pilgrim Stamp and Pilgrim Accommodation

At Wilhering Abbey, pilgrims receive a Jerusalem Way pilgrim stamp with a dove of peace. There is also pilgrim accommodation at the abbey. Please inquire in good time and check current availability beforehand.

If you have enough time, you should also visit the monastery complex and the famous abbey church. Wilhering Abbey is one of the most important monasteries in Upper Austria and a special spiritual place on the Jerusalem Way.

View of Linz

The next stage to Linz is also intentionally kept shorter. This leaves time for the Upper Austrian capital. Linz has been a City of Peace since 1986, was the European Capital of Culture in 2009, and is also the seat of the non-profit association JERUSALEM WAY International Peace Team. An additional rest day can therefore be beneficial.

Navigation and GPS

The Jerusalem Way route through Austria is GPS-based. Please use the current Jerusalem Way app or the provided online route for navigation and download the map for offline use before starting the stage if possible.

OPEN GPS & POI JERUSALEM WAY AUSTRIA

Places along the stage:
Hörsching – Thurnharting – Hitzing – Dörnbach – Pilgrimage Church Maria vom Guten Rat – Kürnberg Forest – Salzsteigweg – Prinzensteig – Wilhering Abbey