WAB - Stage 8: Mönichkirchen - Feistritzsattel

Hiking

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Tour data

18.87km

983 - 1,735m

Distance

813hm

490hm

Ascent

06:00h

Duration

Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich

Brief description: 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 village lets you drift back to bygone days. The picturesque and appealing Schwaigen landscapes are a good place to stop for a bite to eat.
Difficulty: difficult
Rating: Technique

Fitness

Landscape

Experience
Starting point: Mönichkirchen, cable car
Route: Mönichkirchen village

Schauquellfassung spring
1.3 km

Berggasthof Mönichkirchner Schwaig restaurant
2.8 km

Hallerhaus restaurant
3.9 km

Stoa Alm restaurant
4.7 km

Steinerne Stiege (1,505 m)peak
5.1 km

Niederwechsel (1,669 m)peak
7.6 km

Wetterkoglerhaus alpine hut
10.8 km

Hochwechsel (1,743 m)peak
10.8 km

Dreiländereck locality
14.5 km

Kranichberger Schwaig restaurant
15.1 km

more waypoints
Best season: Jan

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Description: This stage could be summarised with the motto “what one cannot speak about, one should remain silent about” (loosely based on a quote from Wittgenstein). Both Schwaigen and the silence can be enjoyed in the truest sense of the word. Wandering through this glorious landscape is a natural relaxant, relieves stress, and promises to be a wonderful mountain experience. In such a natural and idyllic landscape you can simply take a very deep breath, breathe in, and let the day’s worries drift away.
Directions: We start the tour at the cable car in Mönichkirchen and follow the yellow signs with the blue Viennese Alps logo. We take a sharp turn left after around 500 metres. We then follow the marked path until we get to the Schwaig in Mönichkirchen. At this point, we turn left and follow the path which leads along the Zentralalpenweg route. After continuing along this path for around 8 km, we reach the Hochwechsel summit. The views from here are fantastic. This is the highest point of the stage, and it goes downhill from here. We follow the marked path to the end of the stage, the car park at Feistritzsattel.
Getting there

Arriving from Vienna on the A2, take the Edlitz exit and head onto the Wechsel Bundesstraße, following the signs to Mönichkirchen. Arriving from Graz on the A2, take the Pingau exit and head towards Friedberg, following the signs to Mönichkirchen.
Highest point: 1,735 m
Endpoint: Feistritzsattel, car park
Height profile
Equipment: Always bring suitable maps. Always wear appropriate, sturdy footwear, bring sun and rain protection and water, as well as a little something to eat. Bring your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Safety instructions: Your hiking experience in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe one. Therefore, please bear the following in mind:

Preparation

When choosing a route, make sure it corresponds to your experience and physical fitness level. Check the weather forecast before you set off. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Always take appropriate equipment with you (e.g. rain protection).

Check whether the cabins and snack stations you intend to visit along the way are open. Inform someone before you set off of your chosen route and when you plan to return.
Tips: Combine your hike with a stay in Alpengasthof Enzian. Highly recommended for families. Bookable offers can be found here.
Additional information: You may like to hike the adjoining routes:
WAB - Stage 7: Gschaidt - Mönichkirchen

WAB - Stage 9: Feistritzsattel - Semmering

WAB - Regional Route G: Kirchberg/Wechsel - Mönichkirchner Schwaig

Viennese Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Marktgemeinde Mönichkirchen, www.moenichkirchen.at, +43 / 2649 / 20925-76
Directions: Arriving from Vienna on the A2, take the Edlitz exit and head onto the Wechsel Bundesstraße, following the signs to Mönichkirchen. Arriving from Graz on the A2, take the Pingau exit and head towards Friedberg, following the signs to Mönichkirchen.
Public transportation: Take the train from Wiener Neustadt railway station to Aspang, then carry on to Mönichkirchen with the regional buses.
More information can be found at www.oebb.at
Parking: There are plenty of parking options near the cable car in Mönichkirchen.