Semmering panoramic hiking Sonnwendstein - Hirschenkogel

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.

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

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)

Public parking spaces available at Semmering Passhöhe.

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.

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 stops

Semmering station 109

Semmering Passhöhe 113

Sporthotel Semmering 116

Semmering 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

• 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.