Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Semmering has train connections with Breitenstein (€2.20, eight minutes), Klamm,
(€3.70, 15 minutes), Payerbach (€5.70, 30 minutes) and Gloggnitz (change in Payerbach;
€5.80, 40 minutes). At least five direct EuroCity (EC)/InterCity(IC) trains between Graz
(€21.80, one hour 20 minutes) and Vienna (€21.50, 1¼ hours) stop at Semmering.
Schneeberg, Raxalpe & Höllental
To the north of Semmering are two of Lower Austria's highest peaks, Schneeberg
(2076m) and the Raxalpe (2007m). The area is easily reached by train from Vienna, mak-
ing it popular for hiking.
The trailhead for hiking or taking the cogwheel railway is
Puchberg am Schneeberg
, where
the
tourist office
( 02636-2256;
www.puchberg.at
; Sticklergasse 3; 9am-noon & 1-5pm Mon-Thu, 9am-noon
& 3-5pm Fri)
can tell you about hiking conditions on Schneeberg. The
Schneebergbahn
(
02636-3661-20;
www.schneebergbahn.at
;
Bahnhofplatz 1, Puchberg am Schneeberg; Salamander 1 way/return €22/35;
late Apr-late Oct)
leaves from Puchberg am Schneeberg and takes about an hour on the
Salamander and around 1¼ hours on the steam train; check the website for the train
timetable.
Several huts are situated on the mountain for sustenance, accommodation or shelter.
Hengsthütte
(
www.hengsthuette.at
; Hochschneeberg 1; Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, Sat & Sun Nov-Mar)
and
Baumgartenhütte
(Hochschneeberg 5; daily when train runs)
are situated along the railway line;
Berghaus Hochschneeberg
( 02636-2257;
www.berghaushochschneeberg.at
;
Hochschneeberg 6)
is at the
mountain railway station and
Damböckhaus
(
02636-2259;
www.damboeckhaus.at
; Hochschneeberg 8;
May-Oct)
is on the plateau.
In Puchberg itself,
Gasthof Pension Schmirl
( 02636-2277;
www.schmirl.at
;
Muthenhofer Strasse 8; s/d
€30/60; )
has comfortable rooms on the edge of town near the railway. Some have
balconies; in others you can psyche yourself for the stiff climb ahead with window views
of Schneeberg.
On the southern side of Schneeberg is the scenic Höllental (Hell's Valley), a deep, nar-
row gorge created by the Schwarza River. Rising to the south of Höllental is the Raxalpe,
another place for walkers; from Hirschwang, a small village in Höllental, the
Raxseilbahn
(
02666-524 97;
www.raxseilbahn.at
; return €20.40)
cable car ascends to 1547m and hiking trails.
The Raxseilbahn is the site of Austria's first cable car, built in 1926.
