Every year on the second Friday after Easter, on "Three-Nail Friday" (in reference the three nails that where used to nail Jesus on the cross), there is a pilgrimage starting at the first mountain leading across the next two and finally to the fourth mountain's peak. This procession is called  "Vierbergelauf" ("Four-Mountain Pilgrimage").

This year it took place on April 23rd.

A few thousand pilgrims (In this year there were about 7000) cover a long distance of over 50 km within 17 hours. On this way 5 holy masses are said and 3 religious devotions are held. The procession of the pilgrims, who are supposed to pray a lot of rosaries and litanies, is led by some prayer leaders and some people who carry the crosses.
The participants – called "(Vier)bergler" – hope that their secret wish comes true and that they are freed from their sins. In this laborious way the people try to feel the suffering of Jesus Christ. Those who participate three times in this walk are regarded to get a place in paradise. Many people believe the world would come to an end, if the tradition of the “Four-Mountain Pilgrimage” was not upheld.

Course of events during the procession:

• 5 masses: midnight (Magdalensberg) – 4:30 (Pörtschach am Berg) – 7:00 (Mass with the diocesan bishop at the village of Karnberg) – 8:00 (Zweikirchen) – 11:00 (Liemberg)

• 3 devotions: 13:30 (Gradenegg) – 15:00  (Sörg) – 16.30 (Lorenziberg)

The pilgrims get bread, cider, milk and apples from the local farmers.  On return the pilgrims  give sweets to the children who are waiting along the path.

Two noteworthy practices have to be explained:

• "Berglerlaub" (pilgrims' leaves):  On the mountains many pilgrims collect branches of certain evergreen plants (e.g. club moss, juniper, ivy, spruce, boxwood), which they attach to the crosses, their hats or their backpacks. The consecrated branches are taken home and are kept for ritual and religious purposes. They protect people against the devil, and from witches and warlocks.   (more information )

• "Körnertausch" (exchange of grain): Some pilgrims exchange a handful of grains  they have brought along for consecrated grains, which are available at certain places in bowls or baskets. If they mix the consecrated grains with the seeds at home they can expect a rich harvest.
 

Has the "Four-Mountain Pilgrimage" always been a Christian tradition or has it been adopted from a pre-Christian time?  In former times people suspected that the basis of this procession was an old fertility cult which was dating back to the Celtic era.
Celts in the pre-Christian centuries lived here in a kingdom named Noricum, which the Romans conquered and annexed  in 15 BC.
Historical prove for this tradition, which has always changed over the centuries, can only be dated back to the late Middle Ages.

Translated by Christina Strauß and Rüdiger Burghart