Mariazell to Schladming: Scenic Drive Through Styria

The historic B20 and B113 roads link Mariazell – Austria’s most important pilgrimage site – to Schladming, a famous ski town in the Dachstein region. The route weaves through the Eisenerz Alps and crosses the Seeberg Pass at an altitude of 1,255 meters. One quirky fact: the stretch between Mariazell and Seewiesen is so narrow and winding that local buses are forbidden on parts of it – a testament to the challenging Alpine topography. The total driving time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes without stops, but most travelers take 3-4 hours including breaks. This guide answers is it worth driving Mariazell to Schladming – absolutely yes – and details how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities using our expert approach. The best stops Mariazell to Schladming range from a medieval iron forge to a lake offering crystalline swimming.

The B20 is a two-lane road with no median barrier. On the Seeberg descent, there are two runaway truck ramps (check them if you have brake fade). Night illumination is absent between Mariazell and Seewiesen; drive with full beams when clear. Road surface is excellent in summer but can be icy in winter – winter tires mandatory November 1 to April 15. For children: the Erzberg adventure mine (Fahrt ins Erz) offers a guided train ride 180 meters into the mountain (book in advance). Also, the Green Lake (Grüner See) near Tragöß is a 15-minute detour – a magical underwater park in spring (water levels high until June).

Pet-friendly framework: the Seeberg Pass summit has a grassy area where dogs can stretch. Café Hochseeberg (the only building at the pass) allows well-behaved dogs inside and provides water bowls. Fatigue management: park at the Aussichtsplattform (viewpoint) 2 km before the pass – a quiet lay-by with bench under a larch tree, where you can nap for 15 minutes without disturbance. Hidden off-route spots: the abandoned castle ruins of Schachenstein (visible from B113, but accessible via a 5-minute forest trail). Also, the tiny hamlet of Seewiesen has an old watermill (closed to the public but photogenic). Culinary infrastructure: Gasthof Seeberg (at the pass) serves traditional ''Brettljause'' (cold cuts platter) and locally brewed beer. Further down, in Pruggern, a roadside stand sells fresh curd cheese and elderflower syrup.

The route passes through three distinct geographic zones: the Mariazell basin, the Seeberg Pass high moor, and the Enns Valley approach to Schladming. The shift from limestone karst to slate-rich schist is visible in rock cuts. UNESCO World Heritage: the route itself has no UNESCO sites, but a 25-minute detour east of Schladming reaches the Erzberg iron ore mine (part of the ''Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut'' Cultural Landscape, UNESCO since 1997). Additionally, the nearby town of Leoben has a UNESCO-listed main square (Hauptplatz). This variety justifies the answer to how long to drive Mariazell to Schladming – it’s short enough for a slow day trip.

Local commerce thrives in small ways. At the Seeberg Pass summit, you might meet an elderly farmer selling hand-carved wooden whistles and Ennstaler cheese. In the village of Sankt Michael ob Leoben (10 min off B113), a weekly farmer’s market offers pumpkin seed oil and homemade schnapps. For authentic regional goods, look for signs reading ''Dirndl'' and ''Buschenschank'' (wine taverns) along the side roads. The best stops Mariazell to Schladming include these spontaneous purchases.

The journey begins in Mariazell (B20) and soon climbs toward the Seeberg Pass. Fuel stations are sparse after Mariazell – only one self-service pump at the pass (often closed in winter). Plan to refuel in Mariazell or later in Schladming. Estimated fuel cost for a compact car: €12-15 (current Austrian gasoline ~€1.60/liter). For fuel efficiency on this topography, maintain steady gear and avoid hard accelerations on the steep sections. Tolls: no motorway tolls on B20/B113, but you need a vignette only if you take the A9 near Schladming. The road is well-maintained but narrow; keep headlights on even during daylight for visibility.

• Fuel station in Mariazell (Shell, open 7am-8pm)
• Self-service pump at Seeberg Pass (credit card only, seldom operational)
• Full-service station in Schladming (Jet, open 24h)