The first coal deposits in the municipality of Wolfsegg am Hausruck were documented in 1760. This marked the beginning of a mining tradition spanning more than 200 years, which continues to shape the town today through its monuments, cultural connections and trails. On your trip, you can choose from a range of themes, including mining history, literature, forest trails and far-reaching views.
Mining history and memorial sites
The Miners’ Cross commemorates the miners who lost their lives inside or outside the mine during the two centuries of coal mining in Wolfsegg. The Peasants’ War Memorial commemorates the last battle of the Second Peasants’ War, which took place on 20 November 1626. On clear days, the memorial offers views across the Alpine foothills: the panorama stretches for about 300 kilometres, from the Großer Ötscher in the Styrian-Lower Austrian Limestone Alps to the Untersberg in the Salzburg Limestone Alps.
Wolfsegg Castle is also connected with the town’s history: it was occupied by peasants and stormed by General von Pappenheim. The castle stands on a hill above Wolfsegg and can be reached from the town centre via a steep climb. It also has a literary connection: Thomas Bernhard spent many hours at the castle, which became a central setting in his final novel, “Extinction”. The Thomas Bernhard Literature Trail leads to the castle and to the “Children’s Villa”, which is mentioned in the novel.
Church and mining culture
Today’s parish church of Wolfsegg am Hausruck grew out of St George’s Chapel, which was probably built in the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint George, depicted as a knight. Saint Barbara is also venerated because of the mining tradition. The church’s dedication and depictions thus reflect both the town’s religious heritage and its coal-mining history.
The exhibition room at the miners’ chapel in Kohlgrube, Wolfsegg, displays original artefacts, documents and pictures relating to the mining history of the Hausruck region. Kohlgrube is also home to the Barbara Fountain, known as the Barbara Spring. Its water has a high sulphur content and probably comes from former mine tunnels. These places complement the memorials and literary connections with tangible evidence of mining history.
Trails through forest and literature
The Panorama Trail circular walk starts at Wolfsegg Castle and leads through the forest to the “Jagabild” and then to the Marienbild. The Thomas Bernhard Literature Trail offers a different focus: it connects the castle with the “Children’s Villa”, drawing on the town’s literary connection. If you would like to choose your route according to a particular theme, the two trails offer different points of interest—the Panorama Trail takes in forest destinations, while the Literature Trail visits settings from “Extinction”.
A trail from Wolfsegg to the Ottnangium natural monument was built in 2016. One section of the trail is called the Brown Coal Theme Trail. The Ottnangium lies below the so-called Wolfsegger Schanze in a protected forest area. Guided tours are available; arrange your visit or tour in advance and check local conditions before setting out.
Another option is the 8.5-kilometre Wolfsegg Peace Trail. It leads from Wolfshütte—a railway station on the Attnang-Puchheim–Ried im Innkreis line—to Wolfsegg am Hausruck. Along the way, the route passes through open countryside, dark forests and small villages; the route description also highlights beautiful views and numerous benches for resting. Its length and route give you specific details to consider when adding this walk to your day’s plans.
Getting there and planning your trip
If you plan to travel by train, check the connection from Attnang-Puchheim to Ottnang-Wolfsegg station in advance. This will help you coordinate your journey with your plans for getting around locally. The panorama from the Peasants’ War Memorial is best enjoyed on clear days. If you’re planning a guided tour of the Ottnangium, it’s also a good idea to arrange your visit before travelling.
The Krapfen Fair & Handicraft Market features traditional handicrafts, freshly made farmers’ doughnuts and live music. If you’d like to include the event in your trip, check the date in advance. This lets you plan the market as a separate occasion without tying it to a fixed travel period.
Discover more destinations: Ziegelhaid, Seewalchen Am Attersee, Sankt Georgen Im Attergau, Schmitzberg, Abtsdorf, Attnang, Zell am Pettenfirst, Vöcklabruck.
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