Silent Night Peace Path around Oberndorf
The fastest route to this destination
Silent Night Peace Path around Oberndorf
In 1818 the Silent Night song was premiered in Oberndorf. Two hundred years later, the Peace Path starts here, connecting the places Oberndorf, Laufen, and Arnsdorf and following the traces of Mohr and Gruber.
It is quite possible that Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr, the composer and lyricist of the Silent Night song, walked parts of the 12-kilometer-long path. This is conceivable because at the time of the creation of the world’s most famous Christmas song, Mohr was an assistant priest in Oberndorf and Gruber was a teacher and organist in Arnsdorf. At the Christmas Mass on December 24, 1818, the two performed their song, accompanied only by a guitar, for the premiere in the Nikolai Church in Oberndorf. The lasting, still valid messages of peace are made tangible on this long route. The path is just as suitable for reflective pilgrimage as it is for an inspiring Advent walk. The historic Salzach bridge between the towns of Oberndorf and Laufen at the beginning of the Peace Path fits well with the theme. Long before Schengen, it was realized between 1901 and 1903 as a Bavarian-Austrian joint project. Other landmarks are the pilgrimage church Maria Bühel and, of course, the small town of Arnsdorf with the still open school where Franz Xaver Gruber worked as a teacher.
Direct travel and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
moderate
3h 0min
11.40 km
Round trip
Oberndorf bei Salzburg
Seasons
Directions
From the local train station in Oberndorf, the path leads on the left-hand side towards the center to the state road, crosses it, and now follows Färberstraße to the Salzach. Across the impressive, country-connecting iron bridge, it goes to Laufen, where it turns right through the atmospheric old town over the new Europasteg back to Oberndorf. It was built to replace the old wooden bridge that was destroyed several times by floods; the original wooden pillars are still visible in the Salzach. Hikers are welcomed by the river saint Nepomuk and guided up a steep staircase to the Kalvarienberg with the concluding crucifixion group. The pilgrimage church Maria Bühel with its distinctive onion towers is the next unmistakable destination. Less conspicuous is the field chapel of the Buchner farmer, where the path sharply turns right. The marking points to the main road; a variant turning left would be quieter but passes through private land. Through the hamlet Loipferding, where a mighty winter lime tree stands in the middle, the path continues to the renovated church in Arnsdorf. Franz Xaver Gruber was active here from 1807 as a teacher, sacristan, and organist. The still active school houses the museum. Via Göming it goes to Oberndorf, where the final highlight of the round could be a visit to the Silent Night district.
Information & contact
Mag. Christian Heugl
5400 Hallein
cheugl@a1.net
Image credit: Christian Heugl
www.stillenacht-friedensweg.eu, brochures at the tourist offices.
Silent Night Museum Oberndorf open daily until January 6, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Museum Arnsdorf open until January 6, Monday to Friday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
By public transport
From "Salzburg Main Station" with the S 1 (local train) to "Oberndorf Station."
Timetable information and downloads: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.
Direct travel and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
Safety information
Despite Schengen, please bring your ID.Route profile
All content has been researched by the editorial team to the best of their knowledge. However, the editorial team of Salzburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information provided. We kindly ask you to verify the details when planning your trip, as opening hours, admission prices, or other information may change. Any liability claims against the editorial team or Salzburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH relating to material or non-material damages arising from the use of the information provided, or from the use of incorrect or incomplete information, are generally excluded.
