Description
This route through the Gutensteiner Alps leads through the fascination of a wonderful sea of wooded mountains, dotted with small civilized oases and unexpectedly grand views. From Puchberg to the Öhlerschutzhaus, you follow the traces of old pilgrimage paths. On the section from Gutenstein to Muggendorf, you immerse yourself in the theme of the Piestingtal, the Biedermeier era, which is expressed in the landscape primarily through almost composed scenes in the light deciduous mixed forest.
Starting point of the tour
Parking lot of the Schneebergbahn in Puchberg am Schneeberg
Destination point of the tour
Parking lot Myra Falls
Route description WAB - Regional Route Q: Puchberg - Muggendorf
We start with the Regional Route Q at the Puchberg/Schneeberg train station and cover the first meters to the federal highway. Our first destination is the Öhlerschutzhaus, for which we walk across the tracks and follow the federal highway for a few meters before turning left onto Sierningstraße (marked in blue) and hiking uphill next to the Schoberbach. Before the Haltberghof, at the fork, we take the Öhlerweg to the right and walk into the forest. The forest and woodland path, marked in blue, leads us higher and higher, and we catch glimpses of Puchberg and Schneeberg. A motivational board helps us overcome the slopes, and the Öhlerschutzhaus is soon reached. Here we cross the path of the Wiener Alpenbogen, which continues over the Dürre Wand to the Gauermannhütte.
After a rest stop at the Öhlerschutzhaus and a view through the Wiener Alpen Viewer towards Mariahilfberg, we now descend towards Gutenstein via Öhlerkreuz (marked in blue). Fabulous views of the Gutensteiner Alps accompany us on the descent to Hof Öhlersimmerl. Directly after Öhlersimmerl, we take the hiking trail slightly above the ravine, which leads us down into the valley. We then follow the road north past Brandstätterhof. After a few kilometers, we leave the road to the left onto Schaftersbachweg towards Mariahilfberg. We walk uphill on the forestry road for a few minutes before turning right before a solitary house onto a steep meadow path. We follow the path uphill, reach a crossroads over a forestry road, and turn right here towards Mariahilfberg. Alternatively, you can descend a few meters to the Magdalenengrotto and hike from there to Mariahilfberg.
We cross the parking lot and visit the Servite monastery. The descent begins on the access road to Mariahilfberg near the parking lot. A partially steep root path with carved crosses (marked in red) leads us down to Gutenstein, past the “Quölln” to an intersection by the fire station. We follow the lane northwards, once right, then immediately left over the Piesting to the Raimund Museum. Here we turn right and follow the main road out of town. Shortly before the main road crosses the Piesting, we turn half-left into Ernst-Hohenbichler-Gasse and follow this to Villa Wimmer (marked in red). Shortly after the villa, we turn half-right off the road and shorten the route to Groisbauer via a forest path. The marked hiking trail continues along the Panzenbach. We walk past Groisbauer, relatively flat on meadow paths, before steadily climbing the Etschenberg. From here we look towards Mariahilfberg and, in good visibility, even to Schneeberg. We now go downhill on the forestry road into the Seegraben and turn left onto the path along the Wiener Alpenbogen. We follow the gravel road past the Seegraben water reservoir and turn right onto Grabenweg before a house. Steadily uphill, we hike to a slight saddle with a wayside shrine; from here we descend to Purbach. Narrow footpaths (marked in red) now lead us into the Purbach valley. We cross the stream and follow the asphalt road towards Purbach and Muggendorf. We reach the main road and follow it left to the Myra Falls. This is where the Regional Route Q ends.
At the Myra Falls, the Regional Route T starts. You are also here on the main trail of the Wiener Alpenbogen and can continue on it to the Jagasitz guesthouse and the Waxeneckhaus. Alternatively, you can hike via the Kirchensteig to Pernitz train station (about one hour).
Directions
If coming from Vienna and Graz, follow the A2 to the exit Wr. Neustadt West. Take the B26 to Puchberg am Schneeberg.
Parking
Parking available at the Puchberg am Schneeberg train station.
Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to the Puchberg am Schneeberg station.
Further information can be found at www.oebb.at