Hiking route Cottagehike on the Hochwechsel - Touren-Impression #1 | © Oststeiermark Tourismus Hiking route Cottagehike on the Hochwechsel - Touren-Impression #1 | © Oststeiermark Tourismus

Cottagehike on the Hochwechsel

Open
A circular hike across alpine meadows and "Schwaigen" in the Joglland - Waldheimat region with refreshment stops and gorgeous scenery in the Hochwechsel area.
A hike from hut to hut is probably one of the most enjoyable ways to get to know the region Joglland - Waldheimat. This round tour is probably one of the most beautiful in eastern Styria, because not only the culinary treats the palate, but also the panoramic views all other senses.

 

The trail leads throughout on Styrian regional circular trails and the Central Alpine Trail in the Hochwechsel area. We always follow the sign to the respective hut and thus come to the Wetterkoglerhaus, the Rabl-Kreuz-Hütte and the Kaltwiesenhütte. At the highest point of the tour, the 1743 meter high summit of the Hochwechsel, not only the fantastic view of the surrounding peaks awaits you. There is also a small chapel to visit there, which was built in memory of the victims of the war time. The interior of the octagonal chapel is decorated with impressive paintings.

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness
Experience
Scenery

Best season

January
February
March
April
November
December

The tour in numbers

medium
Level of difficulty
21,6 km
Route
7:00 h
Time
723 hm
Uphill
800 hm
Downhill
1743 m
Highest point
1180 m
Lowest point

Map & downloads

More information

From Vienna via Südautobahn A2 to exit Freidberg/Pingau and from there via Mönichwald and Waldbach to Rabl Kreuzhütte.

From Graz via Gleisdorf and Mönichwald/Waldbach to Rabl Kreuz Hütte.

Detailed information can be found here.

  • We start at the Rabl Kreuz Hütte (+43 3336 31288) in the municipality of Waldbach-Mönichwald.
  • At first we hike comfortably along the Hochwechsel toll road
  • After 2 hairpin bends we have reached the Kaltwiesenhütte (+43 664 1107440)
  • We continue uphill to a marked fork in the road
  • At the fork we take the right fork
  • From there we reach the Königshofer Stube, always along the southern slope of the Hochwechsel, to the Vorauer Schwaig (+43 2649 8197)
  • Here we can strengthen ourselves with the delicacies, which are known far beyond the region.
  • Now we keep to the left and hike uphill to Niederwechsel
  • Again on the left, past a memorial to soldiers, we hike along the striking, rocky ridge uphill to the Wetterkoglerhaus (+43 3336 4224)
  • The Wetterkoglerhaus is located on the summit of the Hochwechsel with its 1.743 m
  • Now our hike continues, along a parallel hiking trail to the toll road
  • From the Kaltwiesenhütte we can either go directly to the Rabl Kreuz Hütte or hike via the Gmeinkreuz to the Mönichwalder Schwaig

 

There is also the possibility to start from the Mönichwalder Schwaig.

The start is also possible at the Mönichwalder Schwaig!

Take the time for a short stop at the huts and let yourself be spoiled by the Styrian delicacies!

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie. For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.
Parking spaces are available directly at the Rabl Kreuz Hütte and also at the Mönichwalder Schwaig.
Tourism Association East Styria

Office Joglland - Waldheimat

8255 St. Jakob im Walde

church quarter 24

Tel.: +43 3336 20255

www.joglland-waldheimat.at

www.oststeiermark.com

joglland-waldheimat@oststeiermark.com

 

Gallery

What the weather will be like

Rettenegg (856m)

Morning
sunny
5°C
0%
10 km/h
Noon
slightly cloudy
14°C
0%
15 km/h
Night
slightly cloudy
12°C
0%
15 km/h
Dry and partly sunny throughout the day, with cloudy periods from time to time.
Morning
slightly cloudy
12°C
0%
10 km/h
Noon
sunny
18°C
0%
15 km/h
Night
very sunny
14°C
5%
15 km/h
Early clouds will clear to leave the region with a dry and sunny day.
31.03.2024
sunny
8°C 17°C
01.04.2024
cloudy
5°C 16°C
02.04.2024
slightly cloudy
4°C 11°C

Nearby accommodation options

Continue to search

You may also be interested in

Recommended tours

Rattener Windpark | Zingl | © Region Joglland - Waldheimat
Rettenegg medium Open
Route 15,0 km
Duration 5:30 h

alpannonia Rundweg - hoch hinaus

Accessible by public transport
Freizeitsee_Mönichwald_Oststeiermark | WEGES | © WEGES
Waldbach-Mönichwald medium Open
Route 17,2 km
Duration 5:00 h

Alm circuit, Mönichwald

Wiaz´Haus Orthofer_air view_Eastern Styria | Bernhard Bergmann | © Bernhard Bergmann
Sankt Jakob im Walde easy Open
Route 5,8 km
Duration 2:00 h

Emperor Karl circular hiking trail

Accessible by public transport
Romai Wasserfall_St. Jakob_Oststeiermark | Reinhold Orgis | © Reinhold Orgis
Sankt Jakob im Walde medium Open
Route 11,4 km
Duration 3:30 h

Romai waterfall round, St. Jakob im Walde

At the Stuhleck summit | © TV Hochsteiermark
Hochsteiermark easy Open
Route 5,5 km
Duration 2:30 h

Pfaffensattel - Stuhleck

Gipfelkreuz am Arzberg | Tourismusverband Oststeiermark | © Oststeiermark Tourismus
Sankt Jakob im Walde easy Open
Route 8,5 km
Duration 3:00 h

Arzbergrundweg, St. Jakob im Walde

Alois-Günther-Haus/ Stuhleck | Günter Auferbauer, Luise Auferbauer | © Unknown
Rettenegg medium Open
Route 18,0 km
Duration 6:30 h

Stuhleck round, Rettenegg