Over the height - route from Kirchschlag to Bad Schönau via Hutwisch

©Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 16,31 km
Duration: 5:20 h
Ascent: 736 m elevation gain
Descent: 679 m elevation gain

The route leads over the Kirchschlag castle ruin and the Hutwisch viewing platform (highest point of the region) from the Passion Play town Kirchschlag to the spa town Bad Schönau and offers beautiful views over the 1000 hills of the Bucklige Welt.

Starting point of the tour: Main Square Kirchschlag
Tour destination: Town center Bad Schönau

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 16,31 km
Duration: 5:20 h
Ascent: 736 m elevation gain
Descent: 679 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
6/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point416 m
Highest point878 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Summit tour

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Description

The route starts in the Passion Play town Kirchschlag and leads to the Kirchschlag castle ruin, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. It continues to the viewing platform at Hutwisch, the highest point of Bucklige Welt, with an impressive panorama over the 1000 hills of the region. The trail passes through forests and meadows to the spa town Bad Schönau, known for its healing springs and health offerings.

Equipment Always take suitable hiking maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate for the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and some food. Take your mobile phone with you and save the emergency numbers: ambulance 144 / mountain rescue 140
Route description The route starts at the parking lot of Hotel Post - Hönigwirt. The sign "Weg am Wiener Alpenbogen" leads to the Kirchschlag castle ruin and onto Niklasberg. Here you get the first wonderful views of the Buckln. From the Grandits guesthouse, the trail marking E2 first climbs quite steeply to the height of the Maierhöfen hamlet. The village Maierhöfen is crossed, passing farms to the chapel, before which the path turns left and then immediately right onto the ridge trail. This trail is followed straight on to the Ortbauer. On the paved road, go about 150 meters to the left, then turn right onto the path. Through the Wolfsbühel forest, the path follows the yellow-marked E2 trail, moderately ascending until crossing a road. The route continues on the yellow-marked trail. It turns left towards Harmannsdorf and then further left on the path to the Hutwisch viewing platform. The return route goes back from Hutwisch to the trail junction from which the path came. The way is signposted towards Bad Schönau. Through the beautiful spa park, the path then leads into the town.
Parking Adequate free parking spaces are available in the town area of Kirchschlag in the Bucklige Welt
Getting there From Vienna: take the South Motorway A2, exit at Krumbach. Continue on Krumbach junction. Continue on Kirchschlager Str./B55 to Kirchschlag.From Graz: take the South Motorway A2, exit at Aspang-Zöbern. Turn right onto L137. Continue on Kampichl and Hauptstraße. Hauptstraße turns left in Zöbern and becomes Austraße. Follow L137 to Unterhaus near Krumbach and turn right to Kirchschlag.
Public transport To Edlitz-Grimmenstein station, then continue by regional bus to Kirchschlag in the Bucklige Welt. Bad Schönau is also easily accessible by bus.More information can be found at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Editor’s tip Places to eat:Hotel Post / Hönigwirt, KirchschlagGasthaus Kogelbauer, Kirchschlags'Hutwisch, HochneukirchenCafé Konditorei Beiglböck, HochneukirchenGasthaus Geier, Bad SchönauVitalZeit Hotel Weber, Bad SchönauRestaurant "Bucklige Welt" in the Gesundheitsresort KönigsbergVivea 4* Hotel Bad Schönau zur QuelleVivea 4* Hotel Bad Schönau zum LansknechtExcursion:The Kirchschlag castle ruin and the Hutwisch viewing platform are ideal for a longer break and exploration.Rose garden and fortified church KirchschlagCity museum KirchschlagFortified church Bad Schönau, one of the oldest fortified churchesSconarium Bad Schönau with exhibition about the natural healing agent carbonic acid gasKurpark Bad Schönau

Recommended period

Current weather in Bad Schönau

4° to 6°

Today, 11.02.2026

Light rain shower

Wind speed1,0 km/h

2° to 9°

Tomorrow, 12.02.2026

Light rain

Wind speed1,6 km/h

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 2622 78960
Opening hours: Mon - Thu 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / Fri 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.