WAB - Regional Route F: Kirchberg/Wechsel - Grimmenstein - Maria Schnee

Description

Going from Kirchberg to the Eselberg means ascending via the crossroads on the Kalvarienberg before hiking along an appealing crest through rural, cultivated landscapes with plenty of long-distance views. The highlight at the start of the hike is a short detour to the two-tier Kernstockwarte observation point, providing a magnificent view over the idyllic Feistritztal valley and the Wechsel river. The Landesklinikum, a modern clinic which was one of the most renowned sanatoriums for patients with lung diseases in the eastern Alps, is an architectural highlight at the end of this hike. Regional Route F continues along the Kaltenberger Höhe to the Maria Schnee Pilgrimage Church.

Starting point of the tour

Kirchberg am Wechsel municipal office

Destination point of the tour

Grimmenstein railway station or Maria Schnee Pilgrimage Church

Route description WAB - Regional Route F: Kirchberg/Wechsel - Grimmenstein - Maria Schnee

This starts with a tough hike along Regional Route F at Kirchberg am Wechsel municipal office. The start takes us uphill past Pfarrkirche St. Jakob and then soon onto a hiking path, which ascends almost 300 metres up to the Kalvarienberg and on to the Kernstockwarte observation point (marked in red). A detour to the observation point with rewarding views (do not worry you do not need a head for heights!), is worth it. Still not having yet reached the highest part of the route, we hike across forest and cart paths. Some of them offer wonderful views, whilst others are far more in the shadows. They take us along the western edge of Eselberg before continuing northwards on another path towards Karlshöhe. We then turn right towards Tannhof and Ödenkirchen (also part of the Nordalpenweg - North Alpine Way, marked in red). The next hour is spent on the Höhenstraße, which offers plenty of great views. Food and accommodation are available at Landgasthof Fally in Ödenkirchen.

 

The North Alpine Way veers left soon after the inn, whilst we take the road on to Schaffernak and continue to the Urbankapelle. At this point we keep right and follow the road to Hollabrunn and Hochegg, but upon seeing a high-voltage line we turn left and away from the road, following the forest path over the Hollabrunner Riegel summit. We continue downhill along this path to Hochegg (with H2 signs). When arriving at the road to the Landesklinikum clinic, we turn right, go past the car parks, and follow the road downhill and past the clinic in Hochegg. We pass the Gasthof zur Linde and turn left onto Himberger Straße soon afterwards. After reaching the house at number 19, we turn left onto the road to Himberg and follow this for half-an-hour until we reach the hamlet of Eben. Go right at the cross roads, then veer slightly right onto a cart track a few metres afterwards (also marked in blue). Initially undulating, this path goes past several small stone quarries, and then heads up in an anti-clockwise direction going slightly uphill around the Kulmriegel summit to Grimmenstein Castle (marked in red). Follow the hiking route to a crossroads near the edge of the forest and turn right here towards Grimmenstein (also marked in red, partially signposted with G1). We head on to Grimmenstein, taking in some glorious views, following Schulgasse over Pitten and into the town centre. Edlitz-Grimmenstein railway station is visible on the left. Regional Route F continues on from here to Maria Schnee Pilgrimage Church.

 

Upon reaching the Bundesstraße, we cross this and cross the car park whilst going past the railway line and turn right into Lagerhausgasse. A few minutes later, turn left into Friedbachweg and cross below the Südautobahn. We follow the track uphill to a farmhouse and continue hiking along a cart track. The path goes steeply uphill in parts through a forest, then after turning left we briefly leave the forest and enter a large meadow. We continue along the edge of the meadow then enter the forest once again before staying right near the meadow around the chapel above the Dermahof. Alternatively, we can continue to the Dermahof and ascend to the chapel. After a brief rest at the Chapel, we carry on along the hiking route towards Kaltenberg (marked in red) through the dense forest on the edge of a field and hike uphill along the edge of a forest until we reach a paved road. At this point we reach Regional Route B from Krumbach to Maria Schnee. The road heads northwards towards Hauptstraße, which then goes right to Kaltenberg to the Gasthaus Maria Schnee and the Pilgrimage Church.

 

It is possible to stay overnight at Gasthof Maria Schnee. When in Kaltenberg it is possible to carry on the Viennese Alps route and you can continue hiking to either Wiesmath or Thernberg. A descent to Edlitz-Grimmenstein railway station is possible on Regional Route F. Buses between Wiener Neustadt central station and Lichtenegg stop in Kaltenberg.