Description
Crossing the highest peaks between Schneeberg and the Ybbstal Alps in one route – this long-distance hiking route is ideal for a varied hiking holiday spiced with alpine challenges, but can also serve as a source of many route ideas: Schneeberg, Rax, Göller, Ötscher, Königsberg and Voralpe as highest peaks – Höllental, Walster, Tormäuer, Ybbstal as impressive natural scenery in the valley.
The route offers pure variety and makes long-distance hiking hearts beat faster: steep paths and beautiful classic hiking trails alternate and are repeatedly "interrupted" by natural and constructed rest places such as viewpoints, water accesses for cooling off, and huts for stopping and overnight stays.
The suggested stage sequence for the entire Haute Route is divided into twelve stages – well distributed between hut accommodations (bookings/reservations etc. must be clarified in advance!!) and lodging in the valley.
Starting point of the tour
Ternitz
Destination point of the tour
Altenmarkt bei St.Gallen
Route description Haute Route Lower Austria
The Haute Route Lower Austria officially starts in Ternitz in the Vienna Alps. The train arrival ends here.
After initially moderate ascents and descents, you hike to Puchberg am Schneeberg. Here begins the first highlight of the route: The highest mountain of Lower Austria towers impressively over the small, quiet town – on clear days, it can even be seen clearly from the federal capital Vienna.
The route does not lead directly up but makes a worthwhile detour via the Öhlerschutzhaus and later reaches the almost famous Fadensteig: steep, rocky, impressive and with great views! Via the Fischerhütte, you reach the Klosterwappen, which marks the highest point (summit) of the Schneeberg at 2,076 meters above sea level.
After descending into the romantic Höllental – with a wonderful opportunity to cool off in the Schwarza – the Rax massif awaits, literally the second highlight of the Haute Route: Over 1000 meters of altitude must be overcome (steeply) before reaching the Rax high plateau and continuing via Hohe Kanzel and Preiner Wand to the Habsburghaus (1,767 m). Via a partly steep hiking trail and through the Reißtalklamm, it continues somewhat more moderately to Frein an der Mürz – a short detour into Styria.
The next ascent from the south to the Göller means not only a return to Lower Austria but also a change from the Vienna Alps to the Mostviertel. The two alpine regions in southern Lower Austria are epitomes of the Eastern Alps, although the Haute Route has its flattest sections here. All the more, the scenery around the natural idyll Hubertussee can be enjoyed – an absolute jewel.
Speaking of natural jewels: In Mitterbach at the Erlaufsee as the next location, you simultaneously enter the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, where you first pass through the Ötschergräben – also called Austria's Grand Canyon – without significant climbs through the gorge. Namesake for the nature park is his majesty – the father mountain “Ötscher” – the third big highlight of the Haute Route and the highest elevation in the Mostviertel.
You then conquer it via the most challenging summit route – the Rauen Kamm on the east flank. Being free of vertigo is an advantage, and after the already long hiking time, also more consciously placed steps, especially because of the 360° panorama between the lowlands in the north and the mountain world in the south. And yes... at the summit at 1,897 meters above sea level you definitely have the feeling of seeing all of Lower Austria – an absolutely remarkable place and emotional feeling.
The Ybbstal Alps in the southwest of the Mostviertel are reached, and the long-distance path enters new realms as you find yourself between Ötscher and Hochkar over the Dürrenstein (with a detour to the Ybbstaler hut) on the edge of the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area. Wilderness area means protection zone 1, means no external intervention and means UNESCO World Nature Heritage! Yosemite National Park, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, and others are also on this list – a uniqueness in the middle of Lower Austria (Note: What all takes place in a wilderness area in terms of animal life, fauna, flora, vegetation, etc. is shown in the exhibition at the House of Wilderness in Lunz am See).
The route leads in constant ups and downs along the ridge to the ski and hiking area Hochkar, offering magnificent panorama for a long time.
The descent to Göstling passes the Leckermoor – a nature reserve including a highly interesting themed trail.
In the heart of the Ybbstal Alps, crossing the Königsberg to Hollenstein an der Ybbs is a secret tip: gentle hiking, alpine pastures, cow meadows, two rustic huts, a small summit – nature and deceleration pure.
At the Hollenstein bathing lake, tired muscles can cool down again in the idyllic Ybbs for the last section over the Voralpe (summit Stumpfmauer at 1,770 m) in the tri-border area of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Styria. The altitude meters have been conquered, and the descent on the Styrian side ends at the end point of the Haute Route Lower Austria, at Altenmarkt bei St.Gallen station. The train home journey begins here.
