Mountain Hike HWW-Hiking route: Friedberg - Hilmtor - Trahütte - Vorauer Schwaig - Hochwechsel - Touren-Impression #1 | © Historischer Verein Wechselland

HWW-Hiking route: Friedberg - Hilmtor - Trahütte - Vorauer Schwaig - Hochwechsel

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium
Route 20,6 km
Time 6:45 h
Uphill 1314 hm
Downhill 172 hm
Highest point 1742 m
This HWW hiking route is part of the Wechselland Historical Long-Distance Hiking Trail (HWW), which tells the story of Wechselland along more than 100 HWW stations. More information can be found at www.wechsel-wandern.at.
This HWW hiking route runs from Friedberg via Hilmtor, Trahütte, Vorauer Schwaig to Hochwechsel. Along the route, you will pass the Hilmtor HWW station, for example. There you can learn about the history of hunting and wild animals in Wechselland. Every few years, individual wolves roam the Wechselland.

Best season

January
February
March
October
November
December

More information

Directions - By car
  • Take the A2 highway to the Pinggau exit.
  • Take the 3rd exit at the traffic circle.
  • Continue along the B63.
  • At the junction, turn onto the B54 in the direction of Graz/Hartberg.
  • Then turn right in the direction of Marktgemeinde Pinggau.
  • Follow Grazer Straße until you reach the main square Friedberg

Please note that the main square in Friedberg has a short-term parking zone. Please use the parking spaces in Anton-Bauer-Gasse or Kirchenplatz.
 
The tour is not signposted throughout. Route guidance with app recommended.
Important telephone numbers:
  • European emergency call: 112
  • Emergency call mountain rescue: 140 (if possible, please provide GPS data)
  • Rescue: 144
  • Fire brigade: 122
  • Police: 133
The trail is easy to walk and therefore suitable for the whole family.

Correct behaviour when hiking: Rules of behaviour when hiking

A few tips on correct and fair behaviour in the forest: (Source: https://www.bundesforste.at/english.html)
  • Hikers should avoid visiting the forest approx. 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active at this time.
  • Plastic bottles, handkerchiefs, cigarette butts etc. have no place in the forest! Please make sure that you do not leave any rubbish in the forest.
  • Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!
  • In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2kg of mushrooms and berries per day for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.
Equipment
  • small rucksack with water bottle (+ provisions)
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Appropriate clothing - preferably several layers - "onion principle"
  • Rain and sun protection
  • Hiking poles as required
  • Mobile phone
  • Small first aid kit
  • Route description
  • Before starting the hike, check where you can stop for refreshments, including opening times, or pack suitable provisions.
We recommend stopping off at the Glatzl Trahütten Alm or at the Vorauer Schwaig with its magnificent views.
Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichischen Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.
For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.
Historical long-distance hiking trail Wechselland
www.wechsel-wandern.at
Historical Association Wechselland
Chairman Dr. Andreas Salmhofer
Tel.: +43 664/400 27 17
info@geschichte-wechselland.at
www.geschichte-wechselland.at
 
Find out about hiking maps, cycling maps, excursion destination maps and other tour tips at the tourist office.
You can also order information material on our website from the comfort of your own home.
Eastern Styria Tourist Board
Herbal Region Wechselland office
Main square 20, 8240 Friedberg
Tel.: +43 3339/25110-19
wechselland@oststeiermark.com
www.oststeiermark.com

Map & downloads

Gallery

View of the Riegersburg from the Genusshotel

What the weather will be like St. Lorenzen am Wechsel (725m)

Today, 20.09.2026

The day starts sunny, but will be partly cloudy in the afternoon.
Morning
very sunny
14°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h
Noon
sunny
23°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Night
slightly cloudy
17°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h

Tomorrow, 21.09.2026

Early clouds will clear to leave the region with a dry and sunny day.
Morning
slightly cloudy
13°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 35%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Noon
sunny
17°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 5%
sr.Windstärke 15 km/h
Night
very sunny
12°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h

Forecast

22.09.2026
slightly cloudy
8°C 15°C
23.09.2026
sunny
7°C 16°C
24.09.2026
cloudy
7°C 17°C
Rooms in Hotel Almblick in Strallegg

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