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On the way along the Vienna Alpine Arc
Hiking tour Starting from Wiener Neustadt
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 303,88 km
- Duration: 82:20 h
- Ascent: 11004 m elevation gain
- Descent: 11020 m elevation gain
Like the large Alpine Arc, the diverse landscapes of the Vienna Alps align one after another. A "small Alpine Arc" with magnificent views fans out: the gentle hills of the Bucklige Welt, the alpine pasture landscape at the Wechsel – also called Schwaigen – the Semmering – world-famous for the Semmering Railway, which bears the UNESCO World Heritage title – the alpine 2000-meter peaks Schneeberg and Rax, as well as the gentle elevations of the Gutenstein Alps.
- Starting point of the tour
- Wiener Neustadt
- Tour destination
- Bad Fischau-Brunn/ Thermal Bath
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 303,88 km
- Duration: 82:20 h
- Ascent: 11004 m elevation gain
- Descent: 11020 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:5/6
- Overall experience:6/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point262 m
- Highest point2063 m
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
Like the large Alpine Arc, the diverse landscapes of the Vienna Alps align one after another. A "small Alpine Arc" with magnificent views fans out: the gentle hills of the Bucklige Welt, the alpine pasture landscape at the Wechsel – also called Schwaigen – the Semmering – world-famous for the Semmering Railway, which bears the UNESCO World Heritage title – the alpine 2000-meter peaks Schneeberg and Rax, as well as the gentle elevations of the Gutenstein Alps.
The long-distance trail stretches for over 300 km along the Vienna Alpine Arc through southern Lower Austria. Along the Rosaliengebirge, you get an impression of the upcoming hiking experience within the first kilometers.
Like the large Alpine Arc, you can see the path ahead of you here as if on a panoramic picture. From the Bucklige Welt, the trail leads into the Schwaigenland, an alpine pasture area along the Wechsel, and further east to the enchanting landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage "Semmering Railway and its surrounding landscape."
From here you immerse yourself in high alpine terrain around Rax and Schneeberg, the highest mountain in Lower Austria. The experience of reaching Hochschneeberg compensates for many hardships on the ascent.
Afterwards, the trail continues on gentler paths from the Schneeberg massif into the Gutenstein Alps and through the Piesting Valley to Bad Fischau-Brunn and further to the starting point Wiener Neustadt.
- safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:PreparationMake sure when choosing your route that it suits your mountain experience and your fitness. Check the weather forecast beforehand. Weather in the mountains can turn surprisingly fast. Always set out equipped accordingly (e.g. rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about your route choice and planned return before setting out.
- Equipment Although most paths are well-developed hiking trails, you are still moving through hilly and mountainous terrain. Suitable equipment is advised.Some sections lead into high alpine terrain where the weather can change at any time. Caution is therefore recommended.Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate to the hike, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
- Route description The long-distance hiking trail stretches for over 300 km along the Vienna Alpine Arc through southern Lower Austria.Starting from Katzelsdorf, located at the foot of the Rosaliengebirge, you get an impression of the upcoming hiking experience along the first kilometers by the Burgenland-Lower Austria border. Just like the large Alpine Arc, you can see the path ahead of you here as if on a panoramic image.From Bad Erlach, where a stop at the Linsberg Asia Thermal Spa is worthwhile, the trail continues through the gentle hills of the Bucklige Welt. The numerous castles and ruins testify to a turbulent past as a border area to the east. Quiet witnesses of this time are also the many fortified churches.Passing Kirchschlag in the Bucklige Welt, you reach Bad Schönau, a well-known spa town. It is worth pausing at one of the many hotels to get fit for the further journey. Just after Bad Schönau, the ascent to the Wechsel area awaits. From the Hutwisch viewing platform in Hochneukirchen-Gschaidt, you can once again trace the path behind you.Now it goes through the Schwaigenland, an alpine pasture area along the Wechsel, further east to the enchanting landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage "Semmering Railway and its landscape." Here, you walk in the footsteps of artists and writers from the 19th to the 21st century. To this day, the Semmering is a center of Austria's theater world.From here, you leave the tranquil landscape of the Belle Époque and enter high alpine terrain around Rax and Schneeberg. Accompanied by rugged mountain massifs paired with idyllic valleys, the path leads past the Raxalpe through the Höllental. Now awaits the highest mountain in Lower Austria, the Schneeberg, which watches over the landscape like a ruler. The experience of reaching Hochschneeberg compensates for many hardships during the ascent.Afterwards, the trail continues on gentler paths from the Schneeberg massif into the Gutenstein Alps, which form the northern end of the Vienna Alps in Lower Austria.The last section of the path runs along the southern side of the Piesting Valley, a landscape whose charms have already been enjoyed by painters and writers of the 19th century. The endpoint of the route is Bad Fischau-Brunn with the Fischau thermal baths. Upon arrival, you can enjoy the amenities of the spa and look back proudly on a hike through the diversity of the large Alpine Arc, experienced in the small Alpine Arc.
- Parking There are sufficient parking spaces in front of Katzelsdorf Castle.
- Getting there Take the A2 motorway to the Wiener Neustadt junction/ exit Schnellstraße S4 towards Mattersburg. Take the S4 exit to Katzelsdorf, turn right. Turn left at the church. After 200 m, turn right towards Katzelsdorf Castle.
- Public transport Take the Südbahn train to Wiener Neustadt main station. Change to the regional train to Katzelsdorf. Approximately a 20-minute walk from Katzelsdorf station to the castle.More information is available at www.oebb.at
- Editor’s tip Along the trail at the Vienna Alpine Arc, there are businesses that can be certified as hiking establishments. Assistance with planning your hike and accommodation is offered by the Vienna Alps office in Katzelsdorf. For more information, visit www.wieneralpen.at or call +43 / 2622 / 78960Don’t forget to take your Vienna Alps viewer in a practical hand format with you.
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More info:
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
More info on individual attractions:
Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026