Semmering panoramic hiking Sonnwendstein - Hirschenkogel

©Niederösterreich Werbung/Michael Liebert

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,50 km
Ascent: 511 m elevation gain
Descent: 511 m elevation gain

Semmering Passhöhe via the Almsteig to the Sonnwendstein to the Pollereshütte and via the Erzkogel to the Hirschenkogel back to the pass summit

Starting point of the tour: Semmering Passhöhe
Tour destination: Semmering Passhöhe

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,50 km
Ascent: 511 m elevation gain
Descent: 511 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
4/6

Lowest point961 m
Highest point1513 m

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

Downloads

gpx_addressbase_17132
(GPX)

Description

Through untouched forests to the alpine pastures of the Sonnwendstein and Erzkogel accompanied by fantastic panoramic views of the Vienna Basin to Lake Neusiedl, the Styrian Mürztal and the highest foothills of the Eastern Alps Rax & Schneeberg.

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly beautiful and safe experience.Please therefore note the following:Make sure that the choice of route matches your mountain experience and your fitness. Check the weather forecast beforehand. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Always set out accordingly equipped (appropriate footwear, rain protection). Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your route choice and your planned return before you set out. Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts. Due to dryness, meadows and forests are highly flammable. Handle fire with respect and report any possible fire immediately to the fire brigade (122). Do not throw litter into the landscape and dispose of it properly.Please note that grazing animals are on the move at Sonnwendstein during the summer months. Information about the behavioral rules can be found here.The 8 basic rules in the mountains can be found here.
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate for the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the emergency number of the mountain rescue: 140
Route description From the starting point Semmering Passhöhe, we follow left past the valley station of the Zauberberg cable car along the road to the Sporthotel Semmering. Here begins the forest path towards Maria Schutz. After about 1.5 km we turn right towards Sonnwendstein, first onto the forest road and shortly after onto the alpine path. Uphill we now follow the blue-marked forest path to the Pollereshütte at Sonnwendstein. At the fork, we keep left. From the Pollereshütte, a short ascent leads to the chapel at Sonnwendstein. From the highest point of the hike, we go back past the Pollereshütte and keep left. At the fork, we turn right onto a trail that leads us over the summer path and over the Erzkogel towards Hirschenkogel. We follow the hiking trail over the Dürriegel and at the crossroads turn left onto the forest road towards Hirschenkogel. (An alternative route from the Pollereshütte via the forest road to the cable car station at Hirschenkogel)From the cable car station, we descend about 45 minutes along the green-marked forest road. (Alternative descent options: by cable car or with mountain carts)
Parking Public parking spaces available at Semmering Passhöhe.
Getting there From Vienna drive on the A2 South Motorway onto the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Maria Schutz exit. Turn right onto L4168. Continue on Semmering/L4168, Semmeringstraße and Passstraße to B306.From Graz drive on the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Spital/Semmering exit. Turn left onto Semmering Ersatz Str./B306. Continue on B306.
Public transport Travel by train to Semmering station. You can hike in about 25 minutes from the station to the hiking start point (Semmering Passhöhe).Alternatively, you can individually book a ride with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax, which takes you to the hiking start point. RUFbus stopsSemmering station 109Semmering Passhöhe 113Sporthotel Semmering 116Semmering cable car 113 TIP: Simply use the Postbus shuttle app or call the hotline +43 660 900 88 22. Further information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with a stop at a hut.You can also exchange the descent from Hirschenkogel for a ride with the mountain carts.At Hirschenkogel, the ascent to the Millennium lookout tower or a visit to the forest rope park is also worthwhile.

Recommended period

Places to eat and rest:

Places to eat around Semmering

Further information:

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Tourism office Semmering, www.semmering.at, +43 / 2664 / 20025

Letzte Änderung: 19 Mar 2026