WAB - Regional Route H: Kranichberger Schwaig - Kirchberg/Wechsel

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,28 km
Duration: 3:30 h
Ascent: 10 m elevation gain
Descent: 982 m elevation gain

The Regional Route H leads over the Schwaigs at Wechsel to Kirchberg. The Regional Routes are part of the trail network at the Vienna Alpine Arc (WAB). Hiking along these routes offers you unique views and insights. The Regional Routes are connected to the Vienna Alpine Arc trail. This creates circular hikes in combination with the long-distance trail.

Starting point of the tour: Kranichberger Schwaig
Tour destination: Municipal Office Kirchberg / Wechsel

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,28 km
Duration: 3:30 h
Ascent: 10 m elevation gain
Descent: 982 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point559 m
Highest point1541 m

Nice views

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Description

The experience of the Schwaigs and the descent from the mountain into the valley shape this trail. For long stretches, it goes downhill. The Kranichberger Schwaig and Steyersberger Schwaig with their lush alpine meadows are like oases in the forest and therefore an experience in themselves. Here you will also find the Ghost Tree, stretching like a ghostly hand against the sky in the dense coniferous forest. The Schwaigs as a central part of this landscape have been grazed for generations and still allow you to experience pioneering farming today. The end of the route is the historic town of Kirchberg, which represents the spiritual founding center of the surrounding area.

Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description Rax, Sonnwendstein, Schneeberg. We can hardly get enough of the Kranichberger Schwaig, the view at the starting point of the Regional Route H is fabulous. But our first hiking destination is another Schwaig. After descending a few meters in altitude, we reach the gravel road and follow it northwards towards Steyersberger Schwaig (also marked in red). Mostly the path leads us downhill to Steyersberger Schwaig, a starting and meeting point for cross-country skiers in winter. We pass the Schwaig on the left and at the fork take the right, slightly downhill path towards Kirchschlag. The path through the Selleiten is extremely pleasant to walk and shady, mostly descending gently, intersected by some watercourses and here the Ghost Tree reveals itself. Many paths cross our hiking trail, but we always stay on the marked hiking route to Kirchberg. The descent to Kreuzbauern is a bit steeper, then we continue on the farm road. After a sharp left turn, we turn right off the farm road and walk down a meadow path (marked in red), which shortly afterwards runs right past the forest. We continue descending to Kirchberg, reach the edge of the settlement and walk along the Postbach stream deeper into the town center. We come to a street, cross the Feistritz river on the right, and reach the center of Kirchberg am Wechsel after a few meters.There is an accommodation option at the Gasthof Grüner Baum or you can also return by bus to Gloggnitz train station or Aspang Markt train station. Regional Route F leads from Kirchberg to Grimmenstein and Maria Schnee; Route G leads to the Mönichkirchner Schwaig, and the destination of Regional Route I is Maria Schutz.
Parking Parking available at the Feistritzsattel parking lot.
Getting there The Kranichberger Schwaig is not directly accessible by car. Drive by car to the Feistritzsattel parking lot and walk on foot to the Kranichberger Schwaig. If coming from Vienna, take the A2 towards Wiener Neustadt, then the S6 to the Gloggnitz exit. Drive through Raach am Hochgebirge, Otterthal, and Trattenbach and up to Feistritzsattel. If coming from Graz, take the B72 via Ratten on Feistritzsattel road to Feistritzsattel.
Public transport The Kranichberger Schwaig is not directly accessible by public transport. It is recommended to combine the Regional Route with Route 8 Mönichkirchen - Feistritzsattel of the Vienna Alpine Arc trail. Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Aspang Markt and from there continue by bus to Mönichkirchen. Alternatively, a taxi ride from Gloggnitz train station to Feistritzsattel is also an option.More information can be found at www.oebb.at
Editor’s tip Accommodation option in Kirchberg am Wechsel at the Gasthof Grüner Baum.