Schneeberg

Spend a day in the Lower Alps

Word to the wise: While hiking here, you might spot a rare Edelweiss plant, if the local fauna hasn’t spotted it first and chomped it down.
The Lower Alps, in the region of Schneeberg, offer a pleasant reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Austrian capital, provided you have time to make a day trip out of the city.

A variety of trains reach up into Austria’s alpine areas. Most are newer models, replacing the old steam locomotives that used to get the job done. You can catch a train from the Meidling (12th) district in Vienna, and transfer in Wiener-Neustadt to a one-car mini-train. As you rise in elevation, the views are simply stunning.
After you arrive in Puchberg am Schneeberg, you can hike around, check out the vistas, or hop on the old cogwheel railway track and head up to Schneeberg, resting at an elevation of 1,795 meters. Bring good hiking shoes, and a spirit of adventure.