Vienna as a metropolis truly has a lot to offer when it comes to events and activities, and we also have no shortage of green spaces. Nevertheless, from time to time, you need a break from city life, and a trip to a beautiful lake or the mountains is still the best way to do that. Austria has plenty of both, and they are wonderful for swimming, hiking, or skiing. If you fancy a day trip or weekend getaway of this kind that doesn’t require too much traveling,then Schneeberg is the perfect destination for you.
Vienna’s local mountains
Photo: M K Photography/Unsplash
Vienna has a total of three local mountains, namely the Schneeberg, the Rax, and the Hohe Wand. The Rax and the Schneeberg together form the Rax-Schneeberg group and, together with the Hohe Wand, are part of the Schneebergland. At 2,076 meters, the Schneeberg is the highest of them and also the highest mountain in the whole of Lower Austria.
Almost all of the Schneeberg’s land belongs to the city of Vienna, which it has been supplying with spring water since 1873. You can also find this same water in the Vienna snow globe. In good weather,you can see the Schneeberg from Vienna, as it is only about 65 kilometers away from the capital as the crow flies.
On a trip with the Schneebergbahn
Photo: Andreas64/Pixabay
If you want to visit the Schneeberg, you can climb it on foot or take the Schneebergbahn railway, which has been in operation since 1897. It is one of only three remaining cog railways in Austria and takes you up to the Hochschneeberg at a maximum altitude of 1,800 meters. You board in Puchberg and then travel up the mountain for 40 minutes.
About halfway up, there is another station where you can get off and stop at the refuge hut. Here you can try Schneebergbuchteln, which are filled with plum jam and apricot jam. Or you can enjoy one of the seasonal specialties. On weekends, a steam-powered nostalgia train replaces the regular diesel trains.
Active on the Schneeberg
Photo: Marteen Duineveld/Unsplash
If you prefer to be more active, you can hike to the highest peak of the Schneeberg. From here, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Or you can take the circular hiking trail on the plateau, which is a little more leisurely. Along the way, you will pass various huts where you can stop for a bite to eat. You can venture onto a via ferrata, such as the Weichtalklamm-Steig, which is considered a fairly easy climb.
Skiing and snowboarding are also possible on the Schneeberg. The Puchberg family ski park offers three slopes, a T-bar lift, and a children’s area, guaranteeing fun for young and old alike. A day ticket costs €31. Cross-country skiers can enjoy 5.5 kilometers of trails.
If you want to take a trip to Schneeberg, you can take either the train or the car from Vienna. It takes about 75 minutes to get to Puchberg by car or 45 minutes on the R98 from Vienna Neustadt. Schneeberg is therefore perfect for a day trip, but also offers plenty of accommodation options if you want to spend a whole weekend here.