Hiking Route alpannonia feeder Wenigzell – St. Jakob im Walde – Hochwechsel - Touren-Impression #1 | © Gemeinde Wenigzell

alpannonia feeder Wenigzell – St. Jakob im Walde – Hochwechsel

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging
Route 25,2 km
Time 8:00 h
Uphill 1257 hm
Downhill 348 hm
Highest point 1743 m
From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Semmering or the high-altitude health resort of Fischbach to the edge of the Pannonian plain near Köszeg, a path full of variety and attractions of nature leads: alpannonia®. Or you can start the alpannonia trail in the fairytale village of Wenigzell. From there, the "power trail" continues to the neighboring community of St. Jakob im Walde. Across the hilly landscape, the trail then continues to the Hochwechsel. From there you can then join the main alpannonia trail.
The "Kraftpfad" connects the two communities of Wenigzell and St. Jakob im Walde. Along the way, 15 stations tell you everything about the sources of power that make us who we are, and at the same time you walk through 15 billion years of evolutionary history. In St. Jakob im Walde there is the exhibition center Kräftereich and the blooming Europapark. Wenigzell is known for the Joglland Oasis and the 1st Barefoot Park in Austria. Both communities also belong to the Styrian Flower Road.

After reaching the community of St. Jakob im Walde, you hike around the 1111m high Arzberg and then reach the Rabl-Kreuz Hütte. Via the Kaltwiesenhütte or the Hochwechselstraße you reach the summit of the 1743m high Hochwechsel after about 2 1/2 more hours.

Best season

January
March
March
April
November
December

More information

Further information on arrival here. 
Wenigzell, children's playground, old armory, in front of the school, village square (free)
  • We start in Wenigzell
  • From there we hike along the Kraftpfad to St. Jakob im Walde
  • We still follow the path 914 until we pass the Bühlhofer cross
  • Then we walk over the Blasenkogel and the Ochsenkopf to the Rabl-Kreuz hut
  • Now we can either hike directly to the Hochwechsel, or make a short detour to the Kaltwiesen hut
Important telephone numbers:

European emergency call: 112Mountain rescue emergency call: 140 (if possible, please provide GPS data)
Rescue: 144
Fire department: 122
Police: 133

Correct behavior when hiking: Rules of conduct when hikingHere you will find the rules of conduct for "Safe handling of grazing livestock" and safety on the mountain.

A few tips on correct and fair behavior in the forest: (Source: www.bundesforste.at)

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 garbage in the forest.

Camping and making fires is strictly forbidden in the forest!

In principle, every person in the forest is allowed to collect 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for their own use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.

Proper backpacking makes many things easier: pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within easy reach in a side pocket. All things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top.

An emergency kit belongs in every backpack!

A clothing according to the "onion system" is always recommended!

A good hiking boot is a good companion and should never be missing on the mountain!

The hike along the Alpannonia feeder road from Wenigzell to the Hochwechsel is a true hike to recharge your batteries: First you hike from Wenigzell along the Kraftpfad to St. Jakob im Walde, there you can visit the Kräftereich exhibition and then you continue on to the Hochwechsel. The innkeepers in the villages also invite you to a little refreshment.
Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.
For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.
Tourism Association East Styria
Office Joglland - Waldheimat
8255 St. Jakob im Walde, church quarter 24
Tel.: +43 3336 20255
​joglland-waldheimat@oststeiermark.com

www.joglland-waldheimat.at
www.oststeiermark.com
 

Map & downloads

Gallery

cattle on the Brandriedl with view to the Dachstein (Ramsau am Dachstein)

What the weather will be like Wenigzell (814m)

Today, 29.09.2026

Dry and sunny throughout the day with hardly any clouds.
Morning
very sunny
10°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Noon
very sunny
18°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 15 km/h
Night
very sunny
12°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h

Tomorrow, 30.09.2026

Dry and sunny throughout the day with hardly any clouds.
Morning
very sunny
10°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Noon
very sunny
18°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 15 km/h
Night
very sunny
13°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h

Forecast

01.10.2026
very sunny
9°C 19°C
02.10.2026
very sunny
9°C 19°C
03.10.2026
very sunny
9°C 19°C
Rooms in Hotel Almblick in Strallegg

Accommodation nearby

Discover the Styrian diversity: various accommodations, offers, opportunities and much more for your stay!
Continue to search