recommended route
Multi-stage route
On the move in the Viennese Alpenbogen
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Unterwegs am Wiener AlpenbogenPhoto: Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, ©Wiener Alpen, Foto: Franz Zwickl
At a good 300km, the long-distance trail leads along the Viennese Alpenbogen, through southern Lower Austria. Even the first few kilometres along the Rosaliengebirge will give you a preview of the hiking experience which is to come.
You will soon see the great Alpenbogen fold out in front of you like a panoramic image. From Bucklige Welt, the route leads into Schwaigenland, a pasture area along the Wechsel, and further east to the enchanting landscape of the “Semmering Railway and surrounding landscape”, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From here, immerse yourself in the high Alpine surroundings of the Rax and the Schneeberg, the highest mountain in Lower Austria. The experience of reaching the Hochschneeberg will more than make up for such a difficult ascent.
After that, the route continues down gentle paths from the Schneeberg mountain range in the Gutenstein Alps, and through the Piesting Valley, to Bad Fischau-Brunn.
Author’s recommendation
Entlang des Weges am Wiener Alpenbogen gibt es Betriebe, die sich als Wanderbetriebe zertifizieren lassen. Hilfestellung bei der Planung Ihrer Wanderung und Übernachtung bietet Ihnen das Büro der Wiener Alpen in Katzelsdorf. Nähere Informationen erhalten Sie unter www.wieneralpen.at oder telefonisch unter +43 / 2622 / 78960
Vergessen Sie nicht Ihren Wiener Alpen-Viewer im praktischen Handformat mit zu nehmen.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Walking in the Viennese Alps should be a completely safe and beautiful experience. Therefore, please note the following:
Preparation
Make sure that your choice of route matches your hiking experience and your physical condition. Check the weather forecast. In the mountains, the weather can change surprisingly quickly. For this reason, make sure you are well-equipped (e.g. bring rain protection).
Check that the huts and refreshment stations that you want to visit along the way will be open. Tell someone which route you have chosen, and when you hope to return, before you set off.
Tips and hints
Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Tourismusbüro Reichenau an der Rax, www.reichenau.at, +43 / 2666 / 52206 25
Here you can get a free hiking guide about your tour. This hiking guide provides an overview of the route, and information on refreshment stops. Please note that this is not a suitable hiking map.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
At a good 300km, the long-distance trail leads along the Viennese Alpenbogen, through southern Lower Austria.
Starting in Katzelsdorf, at the foot of the Rosaliengebirge, even the first few kilometres along the border between Burgenland and Lower Austria will give you a preview of the hiking experience which is to come. You will soon see the great Alpenbogen fold out in front of you like a panoramic image.
From Bad Erlach, where a visit to the Asian thermal spring in Linsberg is worthwhile, the route continues through the rolling hills of Bucklige Welt. The numerous castles and ruins are evidence of the eventful history of the eastern border area. The numerous fortified churches also bear silent witness to this era.
Passing through Kirchschlag in Bucklige Welt, you will reach Bad Schönau, a well-known spa resort. It is worth taking a break in one of the many hotels, to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. Right after Bad Schönau comes the ascent into the Wechselgebiet. From the Hutwisch lookout post in Hochneukirchen-Gschaidt, the path you have been following will become clear again.
The route now leads into Schwaigenland, a pasture area along the Wechsel, and further east to the enchanting landscape of the “Semmering Railway and surrounding landscape”, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow in the footsteps of artists and writers from the 19th – 21st centuries. To this day, Semmering remains a key location in Austria’s theatrical world.
From here, you will leave the tranquil landscape of the Belle Epoque and immerse yourself in the high Alpine surroundings of the Rax and the Schneeberg. Accompanied by the rugged mountain range, coupled with idyllic valleys, the route leads to the Raxalpe, via the Höllental. The highest mountain in Lower Austria, the Schneeberg, which regally dominates the landscape, awaits you. The experience of reaching the Hochschneeberg will more than make up for such a difficult ascent.
After that, the route continues down gentle paths from the Schneeberg mountain range in the Gutenstein Alps, which constitute the northern part of the Viennese Alps in Lower Austria.
The final section of the trail runs along the southern side of the Piestingtal, a landscape of which the merits were enjoyed by painters and writers in the 19th century. The tour ends at Bad Fischau-Brunn, with the Fischau hot spring. Once there, enjoy the spa facilities and proudly reflect on your hike through the diversity of the great Alpenbogen, witnessed from the small Alpenbogen.
Note
Public transport
Take the southern railway (Südbahn) to Wiener Neustadt Hauptbahnhof. Then take the regional train (Regionalzug) to Katzelsdorf. The castle is approx. 20 minutes on foot from Katzeldorf station.
See www.oebb.at for more information.
Getting there
Take the A2 motorway to Knoten Wiener Neustadt/the S4 exit towards Mattersburg. Turn right at the S4 exit towards Katzelsdorf. Turn left at the church. After 200m, turn right at Katzelsdorf Castle.Parking
Several parking spaces are available in front of the castle.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Although most of the routes are well-developed hiking trails, you will still walk through hilly and mountainous landscapes. Suitable equipment is recommended.
Some parts of the route lead through high Alpine terrain, where the weather can change at any time. Care must therefore be taken.
Please note that this tour passes through high Alpine terrain. Bring a suitable map. Wear suitable, sturdy shoes, and bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a bite to eat. Bring your mobile phone, and save the emergency number of the mountain rescue team: 140
Statistics
- 19 Stages
On the 1st stage of the Viennese Alpine Way (WAB), the Rosalia, as the balcony of the Bucklige Welt, offers a panoramic view of the entire Viennese ...
The 2nd stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) heads gently uphill and downhill over fields, meadows, groves of trees, and settlements through a ...
The 3rd stage of the Viennese Alps Way (WAB) starts in the historic village centre of Thernberg and takes in several hills up to the Kaltenberger ...
The 4th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) starts in Wiesmath and heads over the ridges and deep ditches of the Bucklige Welt on the way to Kirchschlag.
The 5th stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) is an ever-changing mix of hills, rifts, coniferous and mixed forests. This short stage features ...
The 6th stage of the Viennese Alps route starts in Bad Schönau with the spa grounds as an initial attraction. After ascending the Hutwisch summit, ...
The 7th stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) starts in the gorgeous village of Gschaidt, near Hochneukirchen. This route often passes through ...
The 8th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route starts in Mönichkirchen. With its wide range of historic buildings and the Anton Wildgans-Themenweg, ...
The 9th stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) is accompanied by forests, mountain pastures, and huts. The summit of Sonnwendstein is reached at ...
The 10th stage of the Viennese Alps Way (WAB) offers splendid views of Semmering architecture along the Bahnwanderweg. When at the observation ...
During the 11th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route, the landscapes become more alpine in character. Initially, the route heads through orchards ...
The 12th stage of the Viennese Alps Way (WAB) is accompanied by alpine grasslands, mountain pines, and rugged but safe terrain. This is a wonderful ...
The 13th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route is a merry alpine mountain adventure. The first kilometres in the Höllental valley follow the ...
The 14th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) guides you to the summit of the Schneeberg. At this point, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of ...
The 15th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route sees another change in the landscape. We leave the rock structures of the Schneeberg region and ...
The 16th stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) is a heavily wooded hike along a crest at the top of the Dürre Wand. The highlight is the “summit” ...
The 17th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route guides you through mixed woods and over the saddle to Purbach. It reminds you of a landscape ...
The 18th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) leads through woods in different guises. Coniferous forest on higher ground, Biedermeier-style mixed ...
The 19th and final stage of the Viennese Alps route (WAB) is accompanied by forests, crags, and caves. The highlight at the end is the village of ...
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