Hike up mountain pastures to get a fantastic panorama view at the “Hochwechsel”.
The tour starts at the chair lift “Mönichkirchen” (GPS: 47.512041, 16.030434). Here the first decision needs to be made: how to get up to the first stage and also down from there. For the sake of adventure and saving time, consider buying a combi-ticket using the chair lift up and either the mountain cart (€15.50; preferred by the author) or the offroad scooter (€12.50) down.
The trail first follows ski slopes but then runs through woods and mountain pastures till reaching the highest point (Hochwechsel). The unique panorama view allows to see Semmering, Rax or Schneeberg but also till Slovenia and Hungary.
Tour Description
| 00:00 | Parking at the parking lot Schischaukel Mönichkirchen (free parking). |
| 00:05 | Take the chair lift Sonnenbahn to the first stage and starting point of the tour. |
| 00:15 | Pass by the huts and follow the trail along the ski slope. If you follow the slope on the right hand-side, you will see the adventure course on your left hand-side. After this course (before the mountain station of the second chair lift), make sure you follow the slope on the left handside. You will see there also a viewing platform. |
| 00:30 | Adventure Course between the two slopes. Make sure you use the left slope and head towards the viewing platform. |
| 00:45 | Viewing platform: Enjoy the view back into the valley before continuing on the trail towards the Hallerhaus. |
| 01:00 | Break at the Hallerhaus for some drinks and food (optional you can continue and break at the Stoa Alm). |
| 01:40 | Follow the trail on the left into the woods towards the Steinerne Stiege. |
| 01:50 | Pass by the Stoa Alm (nice hut) and continue on the Steinerne Stiege trail. |
| 02:00 | Steinerne Stiege: follow the partly steep trail on rocks through the woods. Continue the trail till reaching the first mountain pasture. |
| 03:00 | Pass by the memorial to the victims of the 2nd world war which is at the Niederwechsel (1669m). |
| 03:50 | Hochwechsel: Enjoy the fantastic panorama view and have a well-deserved break at the Wetterkoglerhaus (). |
| 05:05 | Follow the trail back till the first crossing. |
| 05:25 | Turn right at the crossing towards the “Vorauer Schwaig”. |
| 06:05 | Pass by the memorial to the Russian war victims, next to the Vorauer Schwaig. |
| 07:05 | Follow the Studentenkreuzweg towards the mountain station of the chair lift. |
| 07:30 | Pass by the Berggasthof Mönichkirchner Schwaig. If there is time (consider the closing time of the chair lift or the mountain carts / scooters), this is a perfect place for a last refreshment (). |
| 07:35 | The way downwards: Depending on your choice, take the chair lift, the mountain cart or the offroad scooter to the valley station. |
| 07:45 | Relax and recap @ Flo und Co (). |
General Tour Data
| Area: | Wiener Alpen, Lower Austria, Austria | |
| Distance: | 19km | |
| Ascent: | 610m (1h 30min) | |
| Descent: | 620m (2h 05min) | |
| Highest Pt: | 1743m | |
| Lowest Pt: | 1185m | |
| Duration: | 4h 45min (without breaks / chairlift) 7h 30min (with breaks) |
|
| Stop/Rest: | Mönichkirchner Schwaig (1230m) Alpengasthof Enzian (1200m) Hallerhaus (1350m) Stoa Alm (1422m) Wetterkoglerhaus (1743m) Vorauer Schwaig (1505m) Flo und Co (1004m) |
|
| Equipment: | Backpack with standard hiking equipment Snacks and enough water Sun & Weather protection Camera |
| Download GPX | ||
| O | Tour at outdooractive.com |
Tour Diary
| Last tour: | 2017-07-08 09:45 | ||
| Weather: | Partly cloudy | ||
| Participants: | Stefan, Hannes, Herbert, Nadja | ||
| Activity: | Suunto (Part 1) Suunto (Part 2) |
||
At a glance
| Level | moderate |
| Technique | |
| Shape / Fitness | |
| Experience | |
| Scenery | |
| Best time in the year | |
|
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
|
|
Interesting background information
Mönichkirchen became a popular ski resort in Winter due to its closeness to Vienna but also Hungary.
The Schischaukel Mönichkirchen / Mariensee offers all kinds of slopes (beginners, advanced, and also a black FIS slope in Mariensee.
In summer the slope to the valley is used as a track for Mountain Carts and Offroad Scooters, bringing fun and excitement for adults and kids.
Leave a Reply