We follow in the footsteps of Pastor Alois Wildenauer, the most renowned pioneer of the development phase of the Hohe Wand. Cozy shelters and wonderful views await us. With a bit of luck, we will also meet chamois and ibex.
Description
The most renowned pioneer of the development phase of the Hohe Wand is Pastor Alois Wildenauer. From 1911 to 1921 he looked after the parish of Grünbach and named the time of his work there the most beautiful of his life: He spent every free minute testing new ascent routes on the plateau. Wildenauer explored no less than 184 paths that had never been traveled before him. During our hike through the Leitergraben, we venture into his favorite area and can enjoy magnificent views of the climbing routes.
Starting point of the tour
Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Destination point of the tour
Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Route description Naturpark Hohe Wand circular hiking trail - in Wildenauer's footsteps
We start at the Naturpark Zentrum parking lot. On a comfortable forest path towards the Gasthaus Luf/Hochkogelhaus. Once there, we continue a bit along the Leitergrabenpromenade before the descent into the Leitergraben begins. It goes downhill for about 15-20 minutes until the signpost announces the Hubertushaus and then it goes uphill again.
The team at Hubertushaus is available for you from Easter until the Christmas holidays, Wednesday to Sunday. After enjoying the view at Hubertushaus, we continue along the rock edge for about 40 minutes to the Wilhelm Eicherthütte. With a bit of luck, we might also encounter the ibex. The viewing benches along the path with a view of the climbing area—which was climbed by Alois Wildenauer—are definitely worth it. At the Wilhelm Eicherthütte—closed on Mondays—we reach the summit cross of the hike, the Wildenauer Cross, and a great view towards Schneeberg. On a comfortable path, we go through the Wanddörfl—previously accommodations for hikers, now weekend houses—to the Kleine Kanzel. Down beside the fallow deer enclosure, we reach the starting point of our hike again—the Naturpark Zentrum.
Directions
From the direction of Vienna
1) A2 – exit Wöllersdorf – turn right onto B21 towards Gutenstein – turn off to Dreistetten – Muthmannsdorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – via Bergstraße year-round to the Hohe Wand plateau
2) A2 – exit Wiener Neustadt West – Weikersdorf – Winzendorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – Hohe Wand
From the direction of Graz
3) From Neunkirchen – Würflach – Willendorf – Höflein – Zweiersdorf – Maiersdorf – Hohe Wand
Parking
Naturpark Zentrum, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Take the Südbahn from Vienna or Graz to Wiener Neustadt – change to the regional train towards Puchberg am Schneeberg or to Winzendorf – change to the bus to Maiersdorf, turnoff Hohe Wand Straße. Walk 500m along Bergstraße to the first hairpin bend/parking Sonnenuhr from where you can hike onto the Hohe Wand in about 1 hour via various ascents.
Or change at Wiener Neustadt towards Puchberg am Schneeberg - exit at Grünbach am Schneeberg - via the blue-marked Grafenbergweg, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the plateau to Wilhelm Eicherthütte.
Additionally, you can take the Gutensteinerbahn (from Wiener Neustadt station) to Oberpiesting or Waldegg and hike up to the Hohe Wand from the backside.
More information at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Author's tip
Great views, cozy shelters :-)
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