Hiking Route Hochwechsel circuit, Waldbach-Mönichwald - Touren-Impression #1 | © Oststeiermark Tourismus

Hochwechsel circuit, Waldbach-Mönichwald

Characteristics

Skill
Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium
Route 17,9 km
Time 5:00 h
Uphill 550 hm
Downhill 550 hm
Highest point 1742 m
The Hochwechsel loop leads past many refreshment stops and impresses with a breathtaking panorama at the 1743 metre high Hochwechsel.
The loop starts at the Rablkreuz hut, passes the Kaltwiesen hut and goes all the way up to the Hochwechsel, where one of the most beautiful panoramas awaits hikers next to the Wetterkoglerhaus. It continues over the Niederwechsel and the Vorauer Schwaig before returning to the starting point via the Kaltwiesenhütte.

Best season

January
February
March
November
December

More information

Waldbach-Mönichwald has been a municipality in the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district of Styria in Austria since 2015.

By car:
From Vienna: A23 - E59 (exit Pinggau) - L416
From Graz: via E59

You can find detailed information about the journey here
Waldbach-Mönichwald , Parking lot at Rablkreuz Hütte (free)
We start the loop at the car park in front of the Rablkreuz hut.We pass the toll station and follow the Hochwechselweg to the crossroads where we keep left towards the Kaltwiesenhütte.Passing the Kaltwiesenhütte we follow the Kohlweg for a short while Keep left and follow trail S7 up to the Hochwechsel and the WetterkoglerhausFollow trail S7/S2 to the Niederwechsel, where you turn right to the Vorauer Schwaig.We keep to the right, from here the loop leads back via the Kaltwiesenhütte to the starting point of the Rablkreuz Hütte.
Important telephone numbers:

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

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

  • Hikers should avoid visits to the forest about 1.5 hours before sunrise and after sunset, as wild animals are particularly active during 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 lighting fires are strictly forbidden in the forest!
  • In principle, every person is allowed to pick 2 kg of mushrooms and berries per day for personal use. It is only prohibited if the forest owner expressly forbids it.
  • Small backpack with water bottle (+ provisions)
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Appropriate clothing - if possible several layers - "onion principle".
  • Rain and sun protectionWalking sticks as required
  • Mobile phone
  • Small first aid kit
  • Route description
  • Before starting the hike, check the possibilities for refreshments, including opening times, or pack appropriate food and drink.
Great huts await you along the loop as well as the breathtaking panorama on the Hochwechsel.
Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie. For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark. -> HF5003 Breitenbrunn - Rabl-Kreuz-Hütte
You can find information about the region, places to stop and stay overnight, excursion destinations, etc. here:

Eastern Styria Tourism Association
Joglland-Waldheimat office

8255 St. Jakob im Walde
Tel.: 03336/20255
www.joglland.at
www.oststeiermark.com 

Current weather 

Mobility Eastern Styria with shared taxi SAM  Find out about maps, hiking brochures and other tour tips at the tourist office. You can also order information material on our website from the comfort of your own home.

Map & downloads

Gallery

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

What the weather will be like Waldbach-Mönichwald (574m)

Today, 28.09.2026

Dry and sunny throughout the day with hardly any clouds.
Morning
very sunny
10°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h
Noon
very sunny
19°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Night
very sunny
14°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h

Tomorrow, 29.09.2026

Dry and sunny throughout the day with hardly any clouds.
Morning
very sunny
11°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h
Noon
very sunny
19°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 10 km/h
Night
very sunny
13°C
sr.Regenwahrscheinlichkeit 0%
sr.Windstärke 5 km/h

Forecast

30.09.2026
very sunny
9°C 20°C
01.10.2026
sunny
11°C 21°C
02.10.2026
sunny
10°C 20°C
Rooms in Hotel Almblick in Strallegg

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