Description
Tip/Fun fact: The 27-meter-high Habsburgwarte on the Hermannskogel marks the highest point of Vienna and offers magical views over the entire Vienna Woods to the Schneeberg.
Starting point of the tour
Stop Wien Kahlenberg
Destination point of the tour
Stop Sophienalpe (expected from 2021)
Route description From Kahlenberg to Sophienalpe
We begin our hike in Kahlenbergerdorf and take the Nasenweg for our ascent up to Leopoldsberg. At the very start, about 250 meters of elevation must be overcome. The path is well maintained in wide switchbacks and equipped with numerous steps, making the ascent easy. There are repeatedly rest areas and viewpoints offering us a wonderful view down to the Danube and the federal capital. At the top, plaques and monuments remind of the liberation from the Turks in 1683, which started over the Kahlenberg. Those who do not like climbing can comfortably reach Leopoldsberg by bus line 38A. After a first rest, we continue hiking westward past the forest rope park to the Josefinenhütte. There we have to cross the intersection, best over the opposite parking lot, and follow the blue marking for about 250 meters. Our path turns left and we reach the Höhenstraße. From the footbridge over the road – but we continue straight ahead – we are on the long-distance trail 04 up to the Sophienalpe.
Our next destination is Café Schönstatt, where we turn right and leave the Höhenstraße. Now follows an approximately 1.5 km long forest path to the "Gasthaus zum Agnesbrünnl." Up to the Habsburgwarte, you can choose the flatter path past the playground or the steeper (yellow) path. At the top, an observation tower with a magnificent view and a cozy rest area await us. The Habsburgwarte, built in 1888, is operated by the ÖTK; a visit is possible on weekends from April to November for a small fee. From here down to the "Grüass Di a Gott Wirt," we follow, besides the red marking of the long-distance trail 04, the green marking. Afterwards, we continue with the blue additional marking to just before the "Häuserl am Roan," where we can refresh again. Then we march up to the Hameau. Nothing remains of the former "Dutch village" – once there were 17 wooden huts, which burned down in 1956. Today, inviting rest areas are located on this picturesque forest clearing. To Exelberg, where we cross the Höhenstraße again, we hike another 30 minutes, and in an additional 20 minutes, we have reached Sophienalpe.
