WAB - Stage 8: Mönichkirchen - Feistritzsattel

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 18,85 km
Duration: 6:00 h
Ascent: 814 m elevation gain
Descent: 493 m elevation gain

The 8th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route starts in Mönichkirchen. With its wide range of historic buildings and the Anton Wildgans-Themenweg, the village lets you drift back to bygone days. The picturesque and appealing Schwaigen landscapes are a good place to stop for a bite to eat.

Starting point of the tour: Mönichkirchen, cable car
Tour destination: Feistritzsattel, car park

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 18,85 km
Duration: 6:00 h
Ascent: 814 m elevation gain
Descent: 493 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point979 m
Highest point1736 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Summit tour

Downloads

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Description

This stage could be summarised with the motto “what one cannot speak about, one should remain silent about” (loosely based on a quote from Wittgenstein). Both Schwaigen and the silence can be enjoyed in the truest sense of the word. Wandering through this glorious landscape is a natural relaxant, relieves stress, and promises to be a wonderful mountain experience. In such a natural and idyllic landscape you can simply take a very deep breath, breathe in, and let the day’s worries drift away.

safety instructions Your hiking experience in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe one. Therefore, please bear the following in mind: PreparationWhen choosing a route, make sure it corresponds to your experience and physical fitness level. Check the weather forecast before you set off. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Always take appropriate equipment with you (e.g. rain protection).Check whether the cabins and snack stations you intend to visit along the way are open. Inform someone before you set off of your chosen route and when you plan to return.
Equipment Always bring suitable maps. Always wear appropriate, sturdy footwear, bring sun and rain protection and water, as well as a little something to eat. Bring your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description We start the tour at the cable car in Mönichkirchen and follow the yellow signs with the blue Viennese Alps logo. We take a sharp turn left after around 500 metres. We then follow the marked path until we get to the Schwaig in Mönichkirchen. At this point, we turn left and follow the path which leads along the Zentralalpenweg route. After continuing along this path for around 8 km, we reach the Hochwechsel summit. The views from here are fantastic. This is the highest point of the stage, and it goes downhill from here. We follow the marked path to the end of the stage, the car park at Feistritzsattel. Getting thereArriving from Vienna on the A2, take the Edlitz exit and head onto the Wechsel Bundesstraße, following the signs to Mönichkirchen. Arriving from Graz on the A2, take the Pingau exit and head towards Friedberg, following the signs to Mönichkirchen.
Parking There are plenty of parking options near the cable car in Mönichkirchen.
Getting there Arriving from Vienna on the A2, take the Edlitz exit and head onto the Wechsel Bundesstraße, following the signs to Mönichkirchen. Arriving from Graz on the A2, take the Pingau exit and head towards Friedberg, following the signs to Mönichkirchen.
Public transport Take the train from Wiener Neustadt railway station to Aspang, then carry on to Mönichkirchen with the regional buses. More information can be found at www.oebb.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with a stay in Alpengasthof Enzian. Highly recommended for families. Bookable offers can be found here.

Recommended period

You may like to hike the adjoining routes:

WAB - Stage 7: Gschaidt - Mönichkirchen

WAB - Stage 9: Feistritzsattel - Semmering

WAB - Regional Route G: Kirchberg/Wechsel - Mönichkirchner Schwaig

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

Marktgemeinde Mönichkirchen, www.moenichkirchen.at, +43 / 2649 / 20925-76

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026