Longing for the mountains from Schneeberg to the Hohe Wand
The tour from Schneeberg to the Hohe Wand offers hikes with great views and superb cabin cuisine. Here, we'll tell you about the best locations.
Just an hour away from Vienna, the Schneeberg and the Hohe Wand offer numerous hiking trails and treats. Visiting the best vistas and the refreshment stops along the way is a must. That is the place where time stands still for a short moment - and everyday life is suddenly far, far away.
Magical trekking world Schneeberg
The Schneeberg is Lower Austria's highest mountain and makes the heart of mountaineers' skip a beat. The best place to find peace is at the Hiker's village Puchberg at the Schneeberg. There are great tips at every turn, free equipment hire or the opportunity to book a tour with a mountain guide. For example at the Ski and mountaineer school Schneeberg run by Peter Groß. The fact that the Schneeberg mountain railway also climbs the summit from here and takes hikers to the best routes is almost a matter of course with this all-round hiking service. It only takes 40 minutes to get to Austria's highest station - and it's even free with the Niederösterreich-CARD. But we already have a delightful tip halfway to the middle station: at the Baumgartner stop, you can find the fantastic Schneeberg sweet yeast buns, the perfect base for hiking. Re-energised, you then reach the mountain station, where you should definitely visit the Elisabethkircherl. The vantage point there offers a breathtaking view down into the valley and over the magnificent surrounding mountains. The most panoramic tours in the region begin here.
Combining hiking and culinary delights? With pleasure! For example, during the Plateau hike Hochschneeberg. The first section can be comfortably covered by train - or by self-propelled train from Puchberg along the Cog railway hiking trail. You should still pay a visit to the mountain station, however, because it is home to the "TOP ART 1800" gallery, the highest art collection in Austria. After refreshments in the Damböckhaus, the route continues over the Ochsenboden to the Klosterwappen at an altitude of 2,075 metres. And thus to the highest point in Lower Austria! After the indescribable view, it's off to the highest refuge in the entire state, the Fischerhütte.
Another way to countless hikes is via the Schneeberg chairlift, thanks to which you can quickly and comfortably reach the Faden, where wonderful tours await you. With a sunny view of the summit, you can stop off at the cosy Edelweißhütte not far from the chairlift mountain station – or take a 10 minute hike to the beautiful panorama terrace of the Almreserlhaus. If you prefer to walk up, it is best to choose the Regional Route P, which constantly shows you the beauty of the Schneeberg.
Every year, the Schneeberg Sommer-Wanderauftakt kicks off the hiking season. Here, you can learn about new routes with the pros, listen to all kinds of old stories and get the best tips on where to stop for refreshments. What more could a hiker’s heart desire?
Looking over the paradise of views from the Hohe Wand
Hikers, climbers, families and paragliders: everyone loves the Hohe Wand. After all, the massive karst plateau is embedded in a Natural park that provides important habitat for numerous rare animal and plant species on more than 2,000 m2. You can get a top view of the entire region from the now legendary Skywalk. The viewing terrace juts out a full 8 metres over the cliff edge of the Hohe Wand – over a breath-taking depth of 150 metres. The brave are rewarded with magnificent views all the way to the Neusiedlersee. If the skywalk is too steep for you, you can simply look out into the country from the 18-metre-high observation tower.
Children rave about the huge playground and the petting zoo right next to the Hohe Wand Alpine and Local History Museum. They especially enjoy walking along the forest nature trail – or being flanked by llamas during an animal hike (be sure to book early!).
The Große Kanzel is another family-friendly hike. It begins in the middle of the forest at guest house Seiser Toni. Through the green thicket, it climbs up the Hohe Wand, where you can gather new strength during a break at the Wilhelm-Eicherhütte at 1,052 metres altitude and a wonderful panoramic view. Continuing on to what is said to be the best Schnitzel on the Hohe Wand, the Turmsteighütte, before the trail leads towards the summit. Climbers, on the other hand, stop at the Hubertushaus directly on the Hochfallwand, where Kaspress (cheese) dumplings and spinach gnocchi await.
There is hardly a more beautiful gorge than the Johannesbachklamm. Here, you hike through a primeval forest of ferns and moss before a simple via ferrata offers unique views over the entire Viennese Alpine arc. Yes, it leaves you breathless – even though the ascent is in fact child’s play. Not far from Grünbach, by the way, the Mohr-Sederl Fruchtwelt invites you for a tasting. A hike to the Myra Falls in nearby Muggendorf is also particularly idyllic. The fantastic waterfalls plunge 125 metres into the depths. You can explore the natural spectacle on 26 winding bridges and numerous stairways, which is particularly impressive during the snowmelt. At 11 themed stations, hikers can learn about flora and fauna – and how energy was once generated here. The trails are made for families with children. The game enclosure, the large playground with climbing paradise and the fabulous water playground make for an unforgettable day.
Wonderful overnight accommodation tips
Precisely between Hohe Wand and Schneeberg - not far from the Schneebergbahn and thus ideal for several tours - are our first two accommodation tips in Puchberg at the Schneeberg; for example, the Hiking Hotel Forellenhof in Puchberg. The refreshing alpine lake offers a wonderful place to cool down after long tours, and the great playground ensures that there is never a dull moment. Fresh energy awaits you in the spacious wellness area, and there's action at the archery course; the perfect combination of relaxation and sport. The 4-star Hiking Hotel Schneeberghof offers all the extras hikers could wish for. From guided tours to rental equipment and a large spa area, everything you need for your next ascent is right here. Close to the wildly romantic Johannesbachklamm gorge and not far from the local outdoor pool is the Alpen-Aktiv Landgasthof “Zur Schubertlinde” in Grünbach. With the Niederösterreich-CARD, a day of swimming in the Swimming pool Grünbach is even free!