Naturpark Hohe Wand circular hiking trail - in Wildenauer's footsteps

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8,14 km
Duration: 3:10 h
Ascent: 402 m elevation gain
Descent: 384 m elevation gain

We follow in the footsteps of Pastor Alois Wildenauer, the most famous pioneer of the development phase of the Hohe Wand. Comfortable mountain huts and magnificent views await us. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter chamois and ibex.

Starting point of the tour: Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Tour destination: Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8,14 km
Duration: 3:10 h
Ascent: 402 m elevation gain
Descent: 384 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point775 m
Highest point1075 m

Round tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops

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Description

The most notable pioneer of the development phase of the Hohe Wand is Pastor Alois Wildenauer. From 1911 to 1921, he was in charge of the Grünbach parish and called the time he worked here the best of his life: he spent every free minute testing new ascent routes on the wall plateau. Wildenauer explored no fewer than 184 climbs that he had never done before. On our hike through the Leitergraben, we enter his favorite area and can enjoy magnificent views of the via ferratas.

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:When there is snow cover, the "Leitergraben" is not passable!PreparationMake sure when choosing your route that it matches your experience and fitness. Inform yourself beforehand about the weather forecast. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Therefore, always set out properly equipped (e.g., rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit on the way are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and your planned return before you set off.
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear firm shoes appropriate for the route, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the emergency number for mountain rescue: 140
Route description We start at the Naturpark Zentrum parking lot. On a comfortable forest path towards the Gasthaus Luf/Hochkogelhaus. Once there, we continue a bit along the Leitergrabenpromenade before the descent into the Leitergraben begins. It goes downhill for about 15-20 minutes until the signpost announces the Hubertushaus and then it goes uphill again.The team at Hubertushaus is available for you from Easter until the Christmas holidays, Wednesday to Sunday. After enjoying the view at Hubertushaus, we continue along the rock edge for about 40 minutes to the Wilhelm Eicherthütte. With a bit of luck, we might also encounter the ibex. The viewing benches along the path with a view of the climbing area—which was climbed by Alois Wildenauer—are definitely worth it. At the Wilhelm Eicherthütte—closed on Mondays—we reach the summit cross of the hike, the Wildenauer Cross, and a great view towards Schneeberg. On a comfortable path, we go through the Wanddörfl—previously accommodations for hikers, now weekend houses—to the Kleine Kanzel. Down beside the fallow deer enclosure, we reach the starting point of our hike again—the Naturpark Zentrum.
Parking Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Getting there From the direction of Vienna1) A2 – exit Wöllersdorf – turn right onto B21 towards Gutenstein – turn off to Dreistetten – Muthmannsdorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – via Bergstraße year-round to the Hohe Wand plateau 2) A2 – exit Wiener Neustadt West – Weikersdorf – Winzendorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – Hohe WandFrom the direction of Graz3) From Neunkirchen – Würflach – Willendorf – Höflein – Zweiersdorf – Maiersdorf – Hohe Wand
Public transport Take the Südbahn from Vienna or Graz to Wiener Neustadt – change to the regional train towards Puchberg am Schneeberg or to Winzendorf – change to the bus to Maiersdorf, turnoff Hohe Wand Straße. Walk 500m along Bergstraße to the first hairpin bend/parking Sonnenuhr from where you can hike onto the Hohe Wand in about 1 hour via various ascents.Or change at Wiener Neustadt towards Puchberg am Schneeberg - exit at Grünbach am Schneeberg - via the blue-marked Grafenbergweg, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the plateau to Wilhelm Eicherthütte.Additionally, you can take the Gutensteinerbahn (from Wiener Neustadt station) to Oberpiesting or Waldegg and hike up to the Hohe Wand from the backside.More information at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Editor’s tip Great views, cozy shelters :-) Current opening hours of the hospitality businesses www.poinow.info