Description
This route offers a leisurely hike through a panoramic cultural landscape and thus truly lives up to being a paradise of views. After a short ascent from Kirchberg /Wechsel in the valley, it continues leisurely over a ridge - past the heaviest Fleckvieh breeding bull at Ramswirt - until you finally catch a glimpse of the construction site of the Semmering Base Tunnel and arrive at the picturesque pilgrimage village Maria Schutz. The rural cultural landscape continuously offers atmospheric views both far and near on both sides of the ridge, and conveys pure rural idyll.
Starting point of the tour
Municipal office Kirchberg / Wechsel
Destination point of the tour
Pilgrimage Church Maria Schutz
Route description WAB - Regional Route I: Kirchberg/Wechsel - Maria Schutz
We begin the hike on Regional Route I at the municipal office Kirchberg am Wechsel. The first meters lead us uphill past the parish church St. Jakob and shortly afterwards onto a hiking trail, which takes us approximately 300 meters in altitude up to the Calvary Hill and further to the Kernstock Watchtower (marked in red). A detour to the vertigo-free and panoramic watchtower is worthwhile. We have not yet reached the highest point of the route, as we hike partly scenic and partly shaded forest and trail paths uphill on the western slope of the Eselberg and continue northwards on the agricultural road to the Karlshöhe. However, we will find out after a few more kilometers that this is still not the highest point of the route.
At the Karlshöhe, we turn left and follow the agricultural road to Rams (also Nordalpenweg, marked in red). Behind the Ramswirt, we turn left at the parking lot and walk the road slightly uphill. After the right curve, we turn left after a few minutes and then immediately turn right onto the trail along the ridge. We come across a road again and follow it northwest to Raach am Hochgebirge. In the village, we keep left and follow the road to Schlagl. We cross the country road, go through the small settlement Schlagl, and continue uphill to the Schanz Chapel, a small saddle and the highest point of Regional Route I. We hike steeply downwards through the forest towards Göstritz, but leave the village and the construction site of the Semmering Base Tunnel on the right and continue southwards into the Göstritzbach valley (partly marked in green), turn back after a few minutes to the other side of the valley, and ascend gently on the Parapluie Trail. The hiking trail leads us closer to the country road and eventually to the pilgrimage church Maria Schutz. The hike on Regional Route I ends here. You have the option to spend the night at the Kirchenwirt next door or to hike on Regional Route M to Payerbach or to Sonnwendstein. Moreover, you can take the bus from Maria Schutz to Semmering or to the Payerbach train station. At all points, you will rejoin the trail of the Wiener Alpenbogen.
Directions
If coming from Vienna or Graz, take the A2 to the Edlitz or Grimmenstein exit. Follow the B54, turn onto the L134 and drive to Kirchberg am Wechsel.
Parking
Parking spaces are available at the municipal office Kirchberg.
Take the train via Wr. Neustadt to Gloggnitz station. From there, buses go to Kirchberg am Wechsel.
Further information can be found at www.oebb.at
