The 6th stage of the Viennese Alps route starts in Bad Schönau with the spa grounds as an initial attraction. After ascending the Hutwisch summit, enjoy a panoramic view of open countryside from the observation point.
Description
The spa garden, rich in flowers, is the initial attraction in Bad Schönau before the ascent up the Hutwisch. The path heads 900 metres over the Adriatic region, the Hutwisch vantage point offers a magnificent view of the open land to the south as well as the Pannonian Lowlands. Stunning ridges over the last few kilometres lead us to Gschaidt.
Starting point of the tour
Bad Schönau tourist office
Destination point of the tour
Gschaidt, village centre
Route description WAB - Stage 6: Bad Schönau - Gschaidt
From the tourism information office in Bad Schönau, we carry on along Kurhausstraße to the spa resort, and then turn left onto the path through the spa gardens. We cross the wonderful park at the pavilion and the pond and head on to Rosalia Chapel, then turn right, go past the tennis courts and enter the woods. At the first crossroads of hiking routes, keep left and follow the well-signposted hiking route uphill towards Hutwisch and Höhwirt. Shortly before the road at Höhwirt, we come across a track to a crossroads of hiking paths. We go left over a track to the marked path leading to Hutwisch, keep right on a fork and ascend to another crossroads near the road, where we veer left and ascend towards the Kernstockwarte observation point on the Hutwisch. After a pause allowing for plenty of great views at the top of the observation point, we head back along a short section of the meadow. However we don’t go uphill and right, but keep left and follow the green and yellow-marked Alpannonia path downhill to Hochneukirchen. We go past a sports ground on the right-hand side and after some brief ascents, hike slightly downhill to Hochneukirchen. We go past the church in the village then soon veer right into Waldgasse. After passing the last few houses in the village, we follow the edge of the forest slightly downhill, ignore the yellow and blue markings to our right and continue walking down the forest path to a track. After crossing this, we ascend via several bends on the forest path and reach Hattmannsdorf. We reach the village on the left-hand side of the country road then turn right at the local chapel onto the marked hiking trail, which takes us via forest and meadow paths to Gschaidt via the Kagerriegel peak.
Directions
If you are travelling from Vienna on the A2 take the Krumbach exit and head in the direction of Hungary then drive on the Krumbach junction. Follow the signs to Bad Schönau.
If you are coming from Graz on the A2, take the Aspang exit and then continue towards Zöbern. Follow the signs to Bad Schönau.
Parking
Public car parking is available at Dorfplatz in Bad Schönau.
Take the train from Wiener Neustadt to Edlitz-Grimmenstein railway station and continue with the regional bus to Bad Schönau.
More information can be found at www.oebb.at
Author's tip
A hotel ran by the Weber family can be found in Bad Schönau. How does an overnight stay in a deluxe suite before the start of the hike sound? Bookable offers can be found here. The Genießerpension Dopler also has deluxe rooms available. Bookable offers can be found here.
The Walderlebnis route in Gschaidt, which can also be linked to the stage if preferred, is highly recommended.
