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Today, 11.02.2026
Light rain
Wind speed1,8 km/h
Hochwechsel Tour
Hiking tour Starting from Mönichkirchen - Valley Station Chairlift Mönichkirchen
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 21,33 km
- Duration: 6:30 h
- Ascent: 785 m elevation gain
- Descent: 785 m elevation gain
The route for summit seekers! On the Hochwechsel route, you hike from Mönichkirchen over huts, alpine pastures, and through special landscapes at 1732 meters above sea level.
- Starting point of the tour
- Mönichkirchen - Valley Station Chairlift Mönichkirchen
- Tour destination
- Hochwechsel
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 21,33 km
- Duration: 6:30 h
- Ascent: 785 m elevation gain
- Descent: 785 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:5/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point1006 m
- Highest point1735 m
- Round tour
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Summit tour
Description
The start of the Hochwechsel route is in Mönichkirchen. The route at the beginning, between Mönichkirchen and Mönichkirchner Schwaig, follows the Life Water Theme Trail with 7 stations, including the Salaerium, where brine drips on twigs and releases essential oils. For a more relaxed start, take the "Sonnenlift" up to the top station at Mönichkirchner Schwaig. The path then continues over the Student Cross to the Vorauer Schwaig and ultimately to Hochwechsel, the highest peak of the Wechsel with 1743 meters above sea level. The unique panoramic view extends beyond Semmering and Rax to Schneeberg—and even beyond the borders to Slovenia and Hungary. Here, a stop at the Wetterkoglerhaus is worthwhile, where you can rest and, for example, enjoy meatloaf. The return route goes over the Niederwechsel at 1669 meters to the Steinerner Stiege, a natural rock formation resembling a staircase, onwards to the "Stoa Alm" or to the Hallerhaus towards Mönichkirchner Schwaig, from where you can reach Mönichkirchen in the valley either on foot or by scooter. This route is also part of a stage of the Trail on the Vienna Alpine Arc from Mönichkirchen to Feistritzsattel.
- Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate for the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Carry your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
- Route description We start at the valley station in Mönichkirchen and hike towards the Student Cross. From there, we follow the paths marked with numbers 6, 8, and 924 to the Vorauer Schwaig. From here, we continue along path number 924, which leads us to the Central Alpine Trail. We keep left and reach Hochwechsel. On the way back, we follow the Central Alpine Trail, passing Niederwechsel, Steinerner Stiege, and Hallerhaus back to the Mönichkirchner Schwaig. From here, we either follow the signs on foot or ride a scooter down to the valley in Mönichkirchen.If ascending by cable car, it is recommended to do the circular route in the opposite direction or directly on the Central Alpine Trail.
- Parking Parking lot of the Sonnenbahn Mönichkirchen.
- Getting there By car from Vienna, take the A2 motorway, exit at Edlitz and merge onto Wechsel Str./B54 towards Aspang, then follow the B54 road to Mönichkirchen.By car from Graz, take the A2 motorway, at the Graz-East junction take the left onto A2/E66 towards Vienna/Gleisdorf/Laßnitzhöhe/Hungary and continue on the A2.At exit 95 Pinggau, head towards Friedberg/B63, Haideggendorf, at the roundabout take the third exit onto B63, then right onto B54 and follow the road to Mönichkirchen.Park at the valley station of the Sonnenbahn Mönichkirchen.
- Public transport Take the train from Vienna via Wiener Neustadt to Aspang Markt. Then continue by bus to Mönichkirchen, getting off at the "Hotel Binder" stop.Take the train from Graz to Aspang Markt. Then continue by bus to Mönichkirchen, getting off at the "Hotel Binder" stop.Then walk to the valley station of the Sonnenbahn Mönichkirchen.More information is available at www.oebb.at , www.vor.at
- Editor’s tip The first elevation meters up to the alpine pasture can also be covered by the 4-seater chairlift.For a longer stay, accommodation is available at the Alpenhotel Enzian or at the Breakfast Pension Koderholt or Stoa Alm!
Recommended period
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Current weather on site
3° to 7°
1° to 6°
Tomorrow, 12.02.2026
Cloudy
Wind speed2,1 km/h
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960