Mönichkirchen: Hiking, Nature and Culture

Mönichkirchen offers a variety of ways to enjoy a stay: hiking to the Hochwechsel, nature and water experiences, art and literature, as well as seasonal leisure activities. If you are looking for a hotel, you can choose your focus based on which of these themes you want to shape your trip. The routes and activities differ considerably in character.

Hiking: summit route and circular trail

The Hochwechsel hike starts at the valley station of the chairlift in Mönichkirchen, leads via the Steinerne Stiege and reaches the summit of the Hochwechsel. The Swing Trail follows a different route: this circular trail is about 2.7 kilometres long and starts at the mountain station of the Sonnenbahn on the Mönichkirchner Schwaig. Along the trail are 17 stations with various swings, seesaws and relaxation features. This gives you a choice between a route with a summit destination and a circular trail with specially designed stations. You can also hike on the alpine pastures of the Wechsel near Mönichkirchen.

The circular trail to the Mönichkirchner Schwaig offers places to stop at the Berggasthof Mönichkirchner Schwaig and the Alpengasthof Enzian; check their opening hours in advance. The water park is part of the “Lebenswasser” themed trail, which leads from Mönichkirchen to the Schwaig. The water park with its Salaërium focuses on “water and health” and lets visitors experience the effects of water in various forms.

Nature and culture on site

The Almschaukel viewing platform is located on the Mönichkirchner Schwaig at an elevation of 1,350 metres. From there, you can enjoy views across the Schwaig. A cultural highlight is the Mönichkirchen Art Museum “Schiff legt ab”: it presents works by Christof Seiser and other artists. The “1000-HÜGEL-SCHACH” is also on display there.

The Anton-Wildgans themed trail leads to places featured in the author’s work and introduces visitors to the characters and their real-life models. Twelve sculptures can be seen in the Jenseitspark in Mönichkirchen. As well as hiking, you can therefore shape your stay around art, literary locations or sculpture.

Summer and winter activities

In summer, the mountain cart track runs along a natural trail of more than two kilometres through woodland and meadows. Hamari Climbing Park has 15 different courses, 104 stations and a 950-metre climbing route. The courses vary in height and difficulty; there are also children’s courses for ages three and up.

The Mönichkirchen-Mariensee ski area has ten pistes totalling 13.5 kilometres. The Mönichkirchen Erlebnisalm has various ski touring routes; at the Mariensee mountain station, there is direct access to the Wechsel panoramic cross-country ski trail. Winter sports operate seasonally. Which of these activities are suitable for your trip therefore also depends on whether you are planning a stay with summer or winter activities.

Getting here and planning your stay

Mönichkirchen can be reached from Aspang-Markt station by taking line 371 to the Hotel Thier bus stop. Check the timetable before you leave. The Mönichkirchen Erlebnisalm is accessible by car and public transport.

Discover more destinations: Gemeinde Semmering, Prigglitz, Sankt Corona Am Wechsel, Pitten, Schwarzau am Steinfeld, Reichenau An Der Rax, Kranichberg, Tratten.

Return to the main travel overview: Neunkirchen.