Are you interested in taking a day trip (or more) from Vienna to the wonderful mountain region south of the city? Are you looking for a snow experience that includes skiing or sledding options, or a place to enjoy nature with breathtaking views?
A visit to the Semmering area is an excellent option for an accessible day trip by public transport, combining snow in the winter months, wonderful mountain nature, hiking trails, viewpoints of the area, and a variety of attractions.
Here’s how the ski resort looks in the winter months:
Semmering – Ski, Spa, and Nature Town
The town of Semmering is located about 100 kilometers south of Vienna in the region known as “The Viennese Alps” (this area also includes the Schneeberg and Rax peaks, and the Hohe Wand nature reserve) in Lower Austria. There’s a convenient train from Vienna to the town, and within about an hour and a quarter, you can be in the heart of this wonderful natural area. In fact, the town is home to the ancient railway line, considered the first mountain railway in the world. Because of this, the railway is included as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Semmering is located at the foot of Mount Zauberberg, which rises to a height of 1322 meters above sea level. In winter, the mountain serves as a popular ski and tobogganing resort, and in summer months, it’s a complex for mountain biking, hiking trails with panoramic views, and more.
In this article, we will review the variety of activities in Semmering and on Zauberberg peak. These are the topics you can read about in the article:
- Recommended Hotels in Semmering and the Surrounding Area
- Cable Car to Zauberberg Peak
- Skiing and Sledding in Semmering
- Recommended Hiking Trails on Zauberberg Peak
- Adventure Attractions on Zauberberg Peak
- Freefall
- Descent with (non-motorized) off-road vehicles
- Descent with (terrain-adapted) scooters
- Hiking Trails Around Semmering
- “20 Schilling” Viewpoint
- Convenient Train Travel from Vienna
- Additional Essential Information for a Successful Visit to Semmering
- Additional Attractions in the Area
Recommended Hotels in the Semmering Area
Semmering is not only a ski resort but also a spa and health resort area, so its hotels operate year-round. The hotels on this list are considered the most recommended in Semmering. Click on the hotel name for more details, photos, and ratings on Booking.com:
- Hotel Belvedere
- Panoramahotel Wagner – Das Biohotel am Semmering
- Gasthof Edelweiss
- Der Löffler am Semmering Bed&Breakfast
- Landhaus Semmering
- Tannenhof
Besides hotels, there are many excellent vacation apartments, so you can easily find a place to stay if you wish. If the places on the list above are full, click for the full list of 29 accommodations in Semmering.
Attractions and Activities in Semmering
1. Cable Car to Zauberberg Peak
The most convenient way to reach the mountain peak is by cable car. The cable car is enclosed and comfortable (not open-air chairlifts). The ride takes a few minutes.
- Cable Car Station Address: Carolusstraße 3, 2680 Semmering-Kurort
- Prices: Official Website
2. Skiing and Sledding at Semmering Ski Resort
Semmering is the closest ski resort to Vienna (also accessible by train), so it attracts many Viennese and, of course, visitors coming to Vienna in winter. Although the ski resort is small and mainly suitable for beginners, it is undoubtedly perfect for a half-day or even more for those who want to enjoy the snow. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or sledding – you can find it all in Semmering.
Here’s what the toboggan run in Semmering looks like:
The Semmering ski resort has a fantastic 3-kilometer long toboggan run that is illuminated at night, so you can enjoy a unique snow experience even in the evening. The run starts from the gondola’s top station on the mountain peak and ends at the gondola’s valley station. The trail includes fun turns, tunnels, and even light effects. It’s suitable for the whole family. Sleds can be rented on-site.
Ski and snowboard enthusiasts can, of course, ski the slopes of Semmering. There are a variety of slopes, suitable for advanced beginners and experienced skiers alike. Ski and snowboard equipment is available for rent at the ski resort.
- Information on Prices: Official Website
- Information on Opening Hours: Official Website
3. Hiking Trails on the Mountain Peak – Hirschenkogel
After reaching the mountain peak by cable car, there’s a two-kilometer hiking trail through the forest. The trail takes about 30 minutes. First, walk along the path through the forest to the Dr. Erwin Pröll viewpoint, and on the way back, head towards the Milleniumswarte Erzherzog Johann Blick observation tower. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy magnificent views of the nearby Viennese Alps peaks. The trail is clearly marked, so you’ll have no problem navigating.
- Observation Tower Address: Milleniumswarte, Semmering 222, 2680 Semmering-Kurort
Another, more challenging trail leads to the Sonnwendstein peak, overlooking the Rax and Schneeberg mountains. The trail starts from the ropes course at the peak. This is a circular trail that takes about two and a half hours with breaks. Halfway through, there’s a hikers’ hut with food and drinks called Pollershütte. The trail ends back near the mountain’s cable car station.
4. Adventure Attractions on Zauberberg Peak
For “light extreme” lovers, there are 3 very enjoyable attractions on Zauberberg peak. These attractions operate only during the summer months.
Freefall from the Observation Tower:
Have you always wanted to try jumping from a tower? Maybe not… but on Zauberberg peak, you can experience this (safely, of course). At the top of the observation tower, you have the option to perform a freefall from a height of 25 meters (possible only from age 14). More information and prices.
This is the observation tower from which you jump:
Descent from the Mountain Peak with (Non-Motorized) Off-Road Vehicles:
A fun option for descending from the mountain top on sunny spring and summer days is undoubtedly the non-motorized off-road vehicles. Put on a helmet, sit comfortably, and drive carefully and quickly along the designated trail down the mountain. Fun is guaranteed! The attraction is suitable for all ages from 8 years old. Children aged 8 require adult supervision. Children aged 12 can drive alone.
Here’s what it looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAovhhJT7OY
Descent with (Terrain-Adapted) Scooters:
The monstrous scooters of Mount Zauberberg are another way to descend the mountain in a truly exciting way. The trail is regulated and maintained, but extra caution should be exercised when descending the mountain. The attraction is suitable for all ages from 8 years old. Children aged 8 require adult supervision. Children aged 12 can drive alone.
Watch the descent from the mountain on the special scooters:
5. Hiking Trails Around Semmering
The Semmering area is a wonderful natural region, with countless pleasant hiking trails among hills, valleys, forests, and villages. One of the most popular trails in the area is the path to the “20 Schilling” viewpoint (20schilling). The trail starts near the Semmering Spa Hotel, and from there, you walk about 2 kilometers until you reach the charming viewpoint. If arriving by public transport, you can start the trail from Bahnhof Wolfsbergkogel train station. The trail is marked and not particularly difficult. The trail is not suitable for strollers, but even small children can do it without a problem.
This is the view from the 20schilling viewpoint in the summer months:
- Recommended Starting Point: The parking lot near the Spa Hotel, 2580 Kurhausstraße, or at Wolfsbergkogel train station for those arriving by public transport.
- Trail Length: Approximately two kilometers
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Tip: If you want to skip most of the trail, you can drive to Semmering Sculpture Park. There’s a small parking lot there, and from there, you walk along the marked path for about 10 minutes to the viewpoint.
For those who want to do the full 11-kilometer circular trail, there’s an option to start from Semmering train station and walk along the marked path past the spectacular viewpoints and ancient railway lines in the area. Additional information on the extended circular trail in Semmering.
6. How to Get to Semmering by Train from Vienna?
Since Semmering is the most popular and closest ski resort to Vienna, there is a direct train line that travels from Vienna Central Station (Wien HBF) to Semmering train station (Semmering Bahnhof). The train departs several times a day for round trips. The journey from Vienna takes an hour and a quarter. The cost of the journey starts from €21.5 per person one way.
From Semmering train station, you need to walk 20-25 minutes to reach the Zauberberg cable car station. You can, of course, take a local taxi from the train station.
The exact train schedule can be found on the main Austrian railway website.
7. Additional Essential Information for Visiting Semmering:
Additional Attractions in the Semmering Area:
The Viennese Alps region includes several wonderful peaks where you can do hiking trails and enjoy charming alpine views. You can read comprehensive information in the extended articles we have prepared about the peaks of the Viennese Alps:
