3rd day stage: Asparn/Zaya to Großrußbach
28 km – from Asparn/Zaya to Großrußbach
The third day stage takes you from Asparn an der Zaya to Großrußbach. On the 28 km section, you cross over Mount Buschberg, the highest point in the Weinviertel region, and get to know a fascinating Weinviertel region landscape completely different from the widely known vineyards in Leiser mountains natural park.
Asparn an der Zaya is the starting point of the third stage in case you are walking the entire length of the Way of St. James in the Weinviertel region. As the location of old settlement grounds shaped by the Minorite order which can trace their roots back to Francis of Assisi, Asparn/Zaya seems to be made for pilgrims. With your water bottles refilled, you head off on another exciting day of pilgrimage.
Mount Buschberg - the highest point in the Weinviertel region
From Asparn an der Zaya and surrounded by the Leiser mountain ridge, the Way of St. James in the Weinviertel region leads you through the municipalities of Niederleis and Gnadendorf. You continue your hike up Mount Buschberg and to the cross on its summit. At 491 m, you reach the highest point in the Weinviertel region. Follow the signs to the Buschberg cabin, the lowest lying cabin operated by the Austrian Alpine Association. On a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Weinviertel region. It also allows you to look back on the section of the Way of St. James you have already successfully completed. But you can also take a look ahead on the section still in front of you. Enjoy the marvellous panorama and positively breath in the Weinviertel region!
From Ernstbrunn to Großrußbach
Continue to the pilgrimage church Maria Oberleis. Once you have arrived there you can climb to the top of the observation tower on Mount Oberleis and enjoy the great panoramic views of the Weinviertel region. On a clear day, this point allows you to see all the way to the Carpathians, the Rax massif, Mount Schneeberg as well as the Pavlov mountains in neighbouring Czech Republic. From Steinbach, the way takes you to Ernstbrunn. With the wildlife park of Ernstbrunn and its Wolf Science Center, it is the home of two excellent attractions that should not be missed by any means. From Ernstbrunn, the path continues via Gebmanns and Hipples in front of the romantic Kreut valley to Großrußbach, the end of the third day stage.
After an exhausting day of pilgrimage, Großrußbach offers the perfect opportunity to refresh, reflect on the section of the way already completed and prepare for the part ahead. With your head clear, you can take on the fourth day stage.
Things worth seeing along the third day stage:
- Naturpark Leiser Berge
- Wallfahrtskirche Oberleis
- Aussichtsturm Oberleiser Berg
- Pfarrkirche Steinbach
- Pfarrkirche Ernstbrunn
- Pfarrkirche Gebmanns
- Kapelle Hipples
- Pfarrkirche Großrußbach