- Brief description
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A classic ascend onto Schneeberg mountain, only for experienced hikers who are sure-footed and familiar with easy scrambling terrain.
- Difficulty
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difficult
- Rating
-
- Starting point
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Losenheim
- Route
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Puchis Welt0.0 kmFadensattel1.5 kmEdelweißhütte1.8 kmDonnerkogel (2,047 m)6.5 kmKlosterwappen (2,076 m)7.1 kmFischerhütte7.9 kmKaiserstein (2,061 m)7.9 kmEdelweißhütte11.0 kmFadensattel11.3 kmPuchis Welt12.8 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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For German click here:
www.bergfex.at/sommer/niederoesterrei...Start at the valley station of the "Schneebergsesselbahn" chairlift. Einther take the lift to the top station, or hike the well signposted way (direction "Edelweißhütte") there. Edelweißhütte hut is just a few meters above the top station.
Walk across the terrace of the hut and enter the woods on a red-marked trail ("Nördlicher Grafensteig"), direction "Baumgartner". The trail leads a bit up- and downhill across the mountainside. On the way you will come across the impressive "Lahningries" gravel gully. When you catch sight of the even more impressive "Breite Ries" gully, you reach a signpost where the "Nandlgrat" trail starts.
Leave "Nördlicher Grafensteig" trail there with a turn to the right, follow the signpost uphill and walk past Rieshütte hut (no service!). The trail is well marked (blue color) and easily visible. Soon woods turn to patches of mountain pines, the trail becomes steeper and somewhat more exposed along the ridge next to "Breite Ries". Watch out for loose scree on the trail! Close to the end of the trail, soon before it reaches the plateau, there is a short fixed-rope section which leads into a small col. From there is is only a few meters of easy scrambling (UIAA 1) to the plateau.
Once you reach the plateau walk straight to the crossing of Fadensteig trail, the major North-South trail. Turn left there and you will reach the summit and "Fischerhütte" hut in about half an hour.
For the descent, I recommend Fadensteig as the shortest route, yet it also has some easy climbing parts. To get there, walk back to the junction of Fadensteig and Nandlgrat trails. There, continue straight (still on the plateau for some time), until the trail (yellow markinds) leads into the northern mountainside. After some steep walking terrain there is a fixed-rope section (via ferrata grade A), then easier walking terrain, and a final last easy climbing section. From there you will soon reach the woods and from there Edelweißhütte in a few minutes. Now take the chairlift or the path (direction "Losenheim") downhill to the valley station. - Highest point
- Klosterwappen (2,076 m)
- Endpoint
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Losenheim
- Alternatives
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Usage of the chairlift, as written in the tour description.
- Rest/Retreat
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Edelweißhütte, Fischerhütte
- Equipment
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Strong hiking boots, food, drinks, suncream, cap/hat, mobile phone, and everything else one needs in the mountains.
Climbing equipment and via-ferrata equipment is usually not needed, but everybody needs to decide that based on ones own skills. - Safety instructions
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CAUTION!!! This is a long and difficult hike in alpine terrain with a difference in altitude of more than 1000 meters and climbing-spots in the difficulty 1 according to the UIAA scale. Also, the length of the tour should not be underastimated, only well trained people should do this hike.
Not for eldery people and especially not for children!
Very well possible as a day trip from Vienna, but please, please only if you have the necessary equipment and skills! - Tips
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Check operating hours of the chairlift beforehand!
www.puchis-welt.at/en/schneeberg-chai... - Ticket material
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BEV-Map scale 1:25000, NL 33-02-12 West, Semmering
- Directions
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A2 Exit Wiener Neustadt West, then turn left and follow the signing to Puchberg. Once there turn right in the center of the village, cross the train tracks and follow the signs to Losenheim.
- Parking
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Parking at Losenheim ("Schneebergsesselbahn" chairlift valley station)
Trail conditions
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Hochsteiermark
4040
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Semmering - Rax
2289
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Reichenau / Rax - Raxalpe
927