By Bus to the Mountain – Tonion Crossing

A long but easy hike, away from the classic routes in Hochsteiermark. This tour connects the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park and the Mariazell region, and is also suitable for children with good endurance.

In summer, several staffed alpine huts are along the route, which also follows part of the pilgrimage trail to Mariazell.

The tour follows forest roads, woodland trails, and alpine paths to the Tonion (where Austria's coldest temperature of -52°C was recorded in winter) and then descends into the Mariazell region.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

13,1 km

Route

5:00 h

Time

680 hm

Uphill

1120 hm

Downhill

1696 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

www.at.map24.com

From Niederalpl, the route leads eastward via the Wetterinalm (overnight stay possible) to Herrenboden (staffed alpine hut, possible overnight stay).

Leaving the main trail to Mariazell at the prominent Marian statue, the path turns left toward the Tonion (caution in fog—difficult orientation due to sinkholes).

From the scenic summit, the trail descends to Gasthof Eder.

The upper Mürztal offers several interesting sights, including:

Neuberg Abbey
Glassblowing workshop at Kaiserhof
Neuberg Nature Museum with the Schliefsteiner Collection
The world’s largest spinning wheel in Kapellen

Highly recommended excursion destinations also include:

The new Climate Change Trail in Altenberg/Rax
The waterfall at Totes Weib near Mürzsteg/Frein
The show mine at the Mürz riverbank in Krampen

With the BusBahnBim app from Verbundlinie, timetable information has never been easier. All bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched by entering locations, addresses, stops, or key points.

The app is available for free on smartphones (Android, iOS) via Google Play and the App Store.

Tour with Public Transport Access.

Nature Park Office Mürzer Oberland
Tel.: +43 3857 8321
www.muerzeroberland.at
Open Monday – Friday from 8:00 – 12:00

Tourism Association Hochsteiermark
Tel.: +43 3862 55020
www.steiermark.com/hochsteiermark

Mountain, Hiking, and Nature Park Guides
For information, contact the Nature Park Office Mürzer Oberland at +43 3857 8321.