Mönichkirchen: Hiking, Adventure Mountain Pasture and Art

Mönichkirchen combines paths through the Wechsel landscape with special experiences for active days, family outings and cultural discoveries. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in the village can tailor their holiday to their own interests: on the one hand, there are hikes and activities on the Mönichkirchner Schwaig; on the other, art, themed trails and activities for different age groups.

Hiking between the Schwaig, Hochwechsel and adventure trails

The Hochwechsel hike begins at the valley station of the chairlift in Mönichkirchen, leads over the Steinerne Stiege and reaches the summit of Hochwechsel. This provides a specific starting point for anyone wishing to combine a mountain hike with a clear destination. Hiking is also possible on the alpine pastures of the Wechsel near Mönichkirchen. The approximately 2.7-kilometre Schaukelweg takes a different approach: the circular hiking trail begins at the mountain station of the Sonnenbahn on the Mönichkirchner Schwaig and includes 17 stations with various swings, seesaws and relaxation elements.

The Almschaukel viewing platform is also part of the orientation points in the landscape. It is located at an altitude of 1,350 metres above sea level and offers views over the Mönichkirchner Schwaig. The Wildbienenweg trail leads through around 2,000 square metres of flower meadows with shrubs, perennials, plants, observation bee gardens and snack gardens. Those who prefer a trail with a thematic focus will find the theme of “Water and Health” in the water park with Salaërium. The water park is also part of the “Lebenswasser” themed trail, which leads from Mönichkirchen to the Mönichkirchner Schwaig.

Experiences for different types of holiday days

The Hamari Climbing Park offers 15 different courses, 104 stations and a 950-metre-long climbing route. The courses are set at different heights and designed for different levels of difficulty; children’s courses are available from the age of three. Families can therefore plan an active day according to age and the desired challenge, without everyone having to choose the same programme.

In summer, the mountain cart track runs along a natural course of more than two kilometres through woodland and meadows. The Mönichkirchen Adventure Mountain Pasture offers various ski touring routes. At the Mariensee mountain station, there is also direct access to the Wechsel Panorama Cross-Country Ski Trail. Those choosing accommodation for a holiday with changing interests can therefore weigh up hiking days, summer activities and winter pursuits. The Mönichkirchen Adventure Mountain Pasture is accessible by car and public transport.

Art, literature and unusual discoveries

Mönichkirchen also has its own themes away from the trails. The Mönichkirchen Art Museum “Schiff legt ab” presents works by Christof Seiser and other artists. The “1000-HÜGEL-SCHACH” is also exhibited there. The Anton-Wildgans themed trail leads to locations from the author’s works and introduces visitors to the characters in the plot and their real-life models.

Other independent destinations include Jenseitspark with twelve sculptures and the Archduke Johann Model Park. Among other things, it features miniatures of the Habsburgs’ residences and places of activity. Anyone who does not want to plan only sporting activities on a trip to Mönichkirchen can note these options as cultural and thematic additions.

Winter activities and getting there

For winter, the Mönichkirchen-Mariensee ski area lists 10 pistes with a total of 13.5 kilometres of pistes. Together with the various ski touring routes on the Adventure Mountain Pasture and access to the Wechsel Panorama Cross-Country Ski Trail, this results in a broad range of documented winter activities. Mönichkirchen can be reached from Aspang-Markt railway station on line 371 to the Hotel Thier bus stop. This connection may play a role in travel planning if you do not want to reach your holiday apartment exclusively by car.

Anyone wishing to combine several of these themes can choose Mönichkirchen as a holiday destination and arrange each day according to route, season and personal interests.

Discover more destinations

For further searches for suitable travel destinations, you can also view Sankt Egyden Am Steinfeld, Warth, Prigglitz, Neunkirchen, Feistritz Am Wechsel, Reichenau An Der Rax, Gemeinde Semmering and Gloggnitz.

To the higher-level travel overview: Neunkirchen.