With the Schneeberg railway up the Schneeberg

When it comes to the Schneeberg, most people's memories are triggered. Memories of childhood and youth come flooding back. Suddenly, images pop into your head – of family outings, perhaps even the odd day of skiing with classmates. At some point, everyone has been to the region around the northernmost and easternmost two-thousand-metre peak in the Alps, at 2,076 metres above sea level.
Somehow, everyone is familiar with the sight of the majestic giant that suddenly looms majestically before you on the way from Vienna to the south.

It has been running since 1897, chugging directly from Puchberg to the sunny plateau of the Schneeberg. We are talking about the Schneebergbahn, a truly unique mountain railway, because at an altitude of 1,800 metres above sea level, it is not only the highest railway station in Austria, but the journey with its many spectacular views and insights is also unrivalled in its peaceful tranquillity and should not be missed on any holiday in Lower Austria.

Emperor Franz Josef I had himself pulled up the mountain by a steam locomotive and marvelled at the beauty of his homeland. The historic steam locomotive is still in operation every Sunday in July and August. Regular service is now provided by the Salamander, a modern railcar train that takes just 40 minutes to cover the 9.8 km route to the Hochschneeberg mountain station.

Facts form the Schneeberg Railway:

• In operation since 1897
• 1,223 metres of elevation gain over a distance of 9.8 km in 40 minutes
• The station was modernised in 2009, built to be barrier-free and allows for comfortable boarding and alighting in all weather conditions
• Austria's highest mountain station at 1,800 metres above sea level
• Effortlessly reach the easternmost 2,000-metre peak in the Alps

To the Schneeberg Railway website

The easternmost 2,000-metre peak in the Alps offers an excellent network of trails that has been maintained for over 100 years. On the relatively flat summit plateau and around the steep flanks, there are many different hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade at 1,800 metres above sea level. Experience culture at its finest, regardless of the weather, and enjoy the view of the Elisabeth Kircherl chapel.

The old mountain railway station is the centrepiece. It has been converted into an exhibition area and now houses Austria's highest gallery.

The "Paradies der Blicke" circular hiking trail starts right at the Hochschneeberg mountain railway station. The walking time for the new circular hiking trail is approx. 1 hour, and the trail is classified as ‘easy’. At the Hochschneeberg mountain railway station, you are welcome to borrow an AUDIO GUIDE, which will accompany you on the circular hiking trail with lots of information about history, flora and fauna. Numerous viewpoints, such as the Wildblick and Wechselblick, reward hikers for their efforts. The view even extends to the Hungarian lowlands, Slovakia, the Rax, the Bucklige Welt and Styria.

Circular hiking trail "Paradies der Blicke":

• Distance: 2.4 km
• Elevation gain: 88 m
• Walking time: 60 minutes
• Start/finish: Hochschneeberg mountain railway station

If you are a keen walker, instead of taking the train, you can walk back down into the valley along the 10 km long, marked cog railway trail, which runs mostly alongside the cog railway line.

The Schneeberg also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine, as the famous Schneeberg Buchteln at the Baumgartner stop, located at an altitude of 1,322 metres, are said to be unsurpassed to this day. Filled with either plum jam or apricot, they still delight hikers and day trippers alike.

• Fischerhütte ÖTK
  (managed) May to October
• Damböckhaus ÖTK
  May to October
• Berghaus Hochschneeberg
  May to October
• Schutzhütte Haltestelle Baumgartner
  May to October
• Hengsthütte
  19 May to 19 November (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) 20 November to end of April Open on Saturdays, Sundays and during holiday weeks.
• Ternitzerhütte
  From the beginning of May to the end of October, the hut is open on weekends from 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday and on public holidays.