Nature Park Hohe Wand - Animal Encounters in Winter

We start the hike at the petting zoo - here the hungry petting zoo animals may be fed with food from the vending machine. Then we continue to Köhlerplatz. Up a small hill, then we walk level through the forest to the deer enclosure. The deer are very curious and even eat from the hand. After these animal encounters, the path goes uphill to the enclosures of the ibexes and sika deer. On the wooden walkways we have a good view of the inhabitants of the enclosures. After the animals, the path leads us a little further uphill to the Bromberg-Hexenhut. Here the highest point of the enclosure circuit is reached, on the wide path we always go slightly downhill back to the starting point. In case of snow, we could sled down.

Always take suitable maps with you. Put on sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140

Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly beautiful and safe experience. Please note the following:

Preparation

Make sure when choosing the route that it matches your experience and fitness level. Inform yourself in advance about the weather report. The weather can change surprisingly fast in the mountains. Always start equipped accordingly (e.g. rain protection).

Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your choice of route and your planned return before you start.

1) A2 – Exit Wöllersdorf – right B21 towards Gutenstein – turn off to Dreistetten – Muthmannsdorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – over the mountain road year-round onto the Hohe Wand plateau
2) A2 – Exit Wiener Neustadt West – Weikersdorf – Winzendorf – Emmerberg – Gaaden – Stollhof – Hohe Wand

From Graz direction

3) From Neunkirchen – Würflach – Willendorf – Höflein – Zweiersdorf – Maiersdorf – Hohe Wand

Take the Southern Railway from Vienna or Graz to Wr. Neustadt – and from there continue by regional train towards Puchberg am Schneeberg or by bus to Winzendorf – from Winzendorf you can hike through the Prosset Gorge to Maiersdorf (5km), from where you can hike up to the Hohe Wand in about 1 hour via various ascents.
Or change trains in Wiener Neustadt towards Puchberg am Schneeberg - exit Grünbach am Schneeberg - via the blue-marked Grafenbergweg you reach the plateau to the Wilhelm Eicherthütte in about 1.5 hours.
Furthermore, you can take the Gutensteinerbahn (from Wr. Neustadt station) to Oberpiesting or Waldegg and hike up the Hohe Wand from the rear side.

More information at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at

Nature Park Center - Parking lot Animal Enclosures, Kleine Kanzelstraße 241, 2724 Hohe Wand
Admission Nature Park Hohe Wand: Adults € 5.50, Children 3-15 years € 2.50 (as of April 2025)

Nature Park Hohe Wand, www.naturpark-hohewand.at
Nature Parks Lower Austria, www.naturparke-noe.at

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

A trip to the Hohe Wand can be well combined with a stay at Schneebergland! Online bookable accommodation options can be found at https://www.wieneralpen.at/unterkuenfte