A hiking pilgrimage in Styria and Carinthia – Hemma Pilgrim Trail

On the Hemma Pilgrimage Trail you can expect to find renewed power, inspiration, and unity with yourself. Following the Admont Route, you walk through the spectacular mountains of Styria and Carinthia in southern Austria. The hike honours Saint Hemma, who was born as the Countess of Friesach-Zeltschach around 980 AD. She became well-known and much-loved for her charity and patronage and her centuries-old legacy is still alive in Carinthia, Styria, and Slovenia. The path connects the Benedictine monasteries of Stift Admont and Stift St. Gurk, which were both founded by Saint Hemma.

The hike starts at Admont Monastery in Styria and finishes in Gurk in Carinthia, where St. Hemma is buried in the cathedral crypt. The pilgrimage route is divided into seven stages, which you can also hike individually. When planning your trip, take into account that there are many sights along the way so give yourself plenty of time.

The first stop is Admont Monastery which is home to a wonderful library, considered to be the largest monastery library in the world. You then cross the beautiful Lower Tauern mountain range, hike over the Glattjoch peak, and arrive in Oberwölz, the smallest town in Styria. You can easily whittle away a few hours in the town’s historic centre which is encased by an impressive town wall. The Donnersbachwald forest, Auerlingsee lake, and many small streams en route will also tempt you to take a break, breath deeply, and immerse yourself in nature and silence. There are numerous pilgrimage sites and monasteries which invite you to reflect.

The individual stages in this Collection are up to 35 kilometres (21 miles) long so you should have a good level of stamina. You have to climb up to 1,200 metres (3,940 feet) in one day too.

You can easily travel to and from the route by train. After Admont, you can take the train via Liezen. Or, you can take the bus from Gurk to St. Veith/Glan and travel by train to Munich via Villach and Salzburg from there. You can always find accommodation in the small, historic villages en route.

Side note: a pilgrimage is a journey requiring movement, and often meditation. Hiking the Hemma Pilgrim Path, whether you walk one day or all seven, is the perfect way to rest your mind and slow down. When your thoughts are peaceful, you can connect to your deepest inner being. En route, you learn lots of interesting facts about the region’s culture and ecclesiastical history. So immerse yourself in a spiritual exploration of your inner world!