WAB - Regional Route Q: Puchberg - Muggendorf

Description

The route through the Gutenstein Alps takes us through a fascinating landscape of forested hills, combined with small oases of civilisation and unexpectedly breathtaking views. Heading from Puchberg to the Öhlerschutzhaus means following in the footsteps of old pilgrims. The section between Gutenstein and Muggendorf is all about the Piestingtal valley and the Biedermaier period, expressed in landscapes largely through scenes that almost appear to be composed in foliage and mixed forest.

Starting point of the tour

Schneeberg railway car park in Puchberg am Schneeberg

Destination point of the tour

Myra Falls car park

Route description WAB - Regional Route Q: Puchberg - Muggendorf

Regional Route Q starts at Puchberg/Schneeberg railway station and the first few metres are on the Bundesstraße. Our first destination is the Öhlerschutzhaus. We go over the railway track and follow the Bundesstraße for a few metres before turning left onto Sierningstraße (marked in blue) and wander uphill alongside the Schoberbach stream. Before reaching the Haltberghof, we take the Öhlerweg as the right-hand fork and head into the forest. The forest and woodland path with blue markings ascends ever higher, and in parts we catch our first glimpses of Puchberg and the Schneeberg. A motivational sign cheers us whilst handling the ascents, and we soon reach the Öhlerschutzhaus. At this point we cross the Viennese Alps trail, which leads to the Gauermannhütte cabin via the Dürre Wand ridge.

 

After a stop at the Öhlerschutzhaus and a glance through the Viennese Alps Viewer of Mariahilfberg, we now head downhill towards Gutenstein via Öhlerkreuz (marked in blue). Splendid views of the Gutenstein Alps accompany us on the descent to Hof Öhlersimmerl. Immediately after Öhlersimmerl, we turn to the hiking trail somewhat above the ditch, which leads us down into the valley, the road in which we follow north and past Brandstätterhof. After a few kilometres, we head off the road and turn left onto Schaftersbachweg, heading towards Mariahilfberg. Heading uphill along a forest road for a few minutes before turning right at a solitary house onto a steep meadow path. We follow the path uphill, then we reach a crossroads via a forest road. At this point we turn right and head towards Mariahilfberg. Alternatively, we can descend a few metres to the Magdalenengrotte and head off from there towards Mariahilfberg.

 

We go through the car park and pay the Servite monastery a visit. The descent begins on the access road to Mariahilfberg near the car park. An occasionally very steep root-covered trail with wayside shrines (marked in red) leads us down from Gutenstein to the “Quölln” and up to a crossroads where the Feuerwehrhaus stands. The alley heads northwards, once right, then left to the Raimund-Museum over the Piesting river. We then turn right and follow the Hauptstraße out of the village. Just before the Hauptstraße crosses the Piesting, we turn somewhat left into Ernst-Hohenbichler-Gasse and continue as far as Villa Wimmer (marked in red). Shortly after the villa, we head off the road to the right and take a short cut to Groisbauer through a forest path, whilst the designated hiking route follows the course of the Panzenbach stream. We head past Groisbauer over relatively flat meadow trails until we head up a consistent ascent up the Etschenberg. We can see the Mariahilfberg from here and even the Schneeberg if weather permits. Now we head downhill, down the forest path, into Seegraben and turn left onto the Viennese Alps trail. We follow the gravel track past Seegraben reservoir and turn into Grabenweg just before a house. Whilst consistently ascending, we pass through a small dip with a wayside shrine, and from this point we descend to Purbach. A narrow hiking path (marked in red) leads us into the Purbachtal valley. We cross over the stream and follow the paved road heading towards Purbach and Muggendorf. After coming back to Hauptstraße we follow this left to get to Myra Falls. Regional Route Q ends here.

 

Regional Route T starts at Myra Falls, and this is also on the main Viennese Alps route, so you can follow this route to Gasthof Jagasitz and the Waxeneckhaus. Alternatively, you can take the Kirchensteig route to Pernitz railway station (approx. one hour).