Beautiful hike from the Simashütte at Unternberg (St. Corona) up to the Herrgottschnitzer-Franz-Kaupe Hut at Kampstein.
Description
The snowshoe hike starts at the Simashütte near Unternberg/St. Corona, close to the valley station of the former Simas lifts. The Simashütte is open in summer and winter for multi-day wine taverns and is otherwise only available for private events. In winter, depending on snow and weather conditions, it is also open. Parallel to the lift system, you hike up in switchbacks towards Kampstein. Here you can trudge through the snow in the forest and enjoy the peace and fresh air. The goal or intermediate stop of the route is the Herrgottschnitzerhütte, named in honor of Franz Kaupe. At the hut, hungry guests are offered delicious homemade cream slices and warm delicacies. Dog lovers will also meet the hut owner’s huskies who appreciate strokes. Additionally, for the roughly one and a half hour ascent, you are rewarded with a wonderful view of the Wechsel area. From the Herrgottschnitzerhütte you have several options for further hiking. Experienced and well-conditioned hikers can climb the Kampstein summit at 1467 meters. Those with less time can hike back down the valley, either the same way as up, to the Simashütte or via Orthof to Unternberg. Alternate routes from the Herrgottschnitzer can be found in the "Kampsteinrunde".
Starting point of the tour
Simashütte (St. Corona)
Destination point of the tour
Herrgottschnitzerhütte (Kampstein)
Route description Snowshoe hiking: Simashütte-Herrgottschnitzer-Franz Kaupe-House
We start uphill heading west roughly parallel to the ski lift. We go straight until we reach a T-junction. Here we turn right. From now on it goes up in switchbacks. We turn sharply left, keep right at the next fork, and shortly afterwards turn sharply right. After a short stretch we reach a fork where we turn left. We now follow the path leading us through a left curve and a right curve to a junction near the top station of the Simas lifts. Here we turn sharply left. Continuing, we take the left path, then keep right and cross a street. Back on our way, we turn left once and then proceed straight along the path to the Herrgottschnitzer-Franz-Kaupe-House.
Directions
From Vienna take the A2 South Motorway, exit at Edlitz. Drive in the direction of Aspang. Continue on Wechsel Straße/B54 towards Aspang. At the roundabout take the third exit (Gutenberggasse). Turn right onto Bahnstraße. Slight right onto Mühlgasse, which curves slightly to the right and becomes Sonneck. Continue on L137 to Unternberg. In the town center, go through Unternberg onto Außerneuwald. Turn right onto Tauchner and follow this road to the end.
From Graz take the A2 South Motorway, exit at Aspang. Drive towards Aspang/Zöbern. Turn left onto L137 and follow it to Aspang. Turn right onto Hauptplatz, then immediately left onto Gottsbergergasse. Turn left onto Mühlgasse, which curves slightly to the right and becomes Sonneck. Continue on L137 to Unternberg. In the town center, go through Unternberg onto Außerneuwald. Turn right onto Tauchner and follow this road to the end.
Parking
Parking available at the Simashütte.
Take the regional train from Wr. Neustadt main station (direction Aspang-Markt) to the last stop. Continue by regional bus 369 (direction Kirchberg Wechsel). Get off at the Unternberg stop. From there, it is about a half-hour walk on foot to the starting point Simashütte.
More information at: www.vor.at or www.oebb.at
Author's tip
Be sure to check before your route whether the huts are open.
Simashütte (02641 2172) Herrgottschnitzerhütte (phone: 0676 4956885 or 0676 5387090)
Combine your hike with a stay in the Wechsel region, for example at the Ferienhaus Gruber-List or at the Ofnerhof in Unternberg!
