Getting there
- Flights to Vienna (VIE) 60 km from the start
Treks / Austria
Schneeberg
Austria · Nearest city: Vienna
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 16 km
Climbing≈ 1,000 m
Highest point2,076 m
Vienna's own mountain and the highest peak in Lower Austria. A big day out with a rack railway as an easy way down.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonJune to October
High pointKlosterwappen
Watch out: Weather changes fast on the plateau. It's colder and windier than the city.
Why people choose it
It's Vienna's local mountain: a real Alpine plateau two hours from the city, with a nostalgic rack railway to bring you down.
What makes it different
- Highest peak in Lower Austria
- Reachable by train from Vienna
- Rack railway as an easy option down
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,076 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is restricted in most of Austria and banned in several states. Stay in huts or at campsites.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Puchberg am Schneeberg → Schneeberg
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: June to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Vienna.
- Trains or buses reach the trailhead, so you don't need a car.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: June to October
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Strong wind
Exposed ridges and summits can be very windy and cold. A windproof layer and hat are worth carrying even on warm days.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Schneeberg
Photo credits: Puchberg - Schneeberg by C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Puchberg am Schneeberg by C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Schneeberg - Sept. - Puchberg zum Wiesberg by Haering Juergen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Puchberg am Schneeberg - Fischerhütte by C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Schneeberg Alps by Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Puchberg am Schneeberg - Fischerhütte by C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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