About the "Guggersteine" Stone Monument
Zum Steindenkmal „Guggersteine“
Hiking tour Starting from Market Town of Hernstein
The market town of Hernstein with its 7 districts lies in the middle of the largest black pine area in Central Europe, between the Triesting and Piesting valleys. The landscape is dominated by gentle mountain forms with heights of up to 600 m. Leisurely hikes predominate in the municipality. Only to the west of the municipality does the Hohe Mandling rise with beech forests at higher altitudes. However, since the fire at the Berndorfer huts at the summit (967 m), the Mandling has lost its importance for hikers. Traces of resin extraction (pitching) are still visible, especially in the extensive, resinous-smelling pine forests. The Vinzenzkapelle chapel, which is well worth seeing, the Pecherlehrpfad educational trail and the Pechermuseum with its documentation of the profession of the pitcher are also reminders of this once important industry. Today, only one resin processing company remains. There is a castle in the English Gothic style in the district of Schloss Hernstein, which now serves as a seminar hotel. The "Guggersteine" or "Altes Grab", a stone monument of supra-regional importance, is also worth a visit in the municipality.
- Starting point of the tour
- Market Town of Hernstein
- Fitness level required:1/6
- Overall experience:4/6
- Scenery:4/6
- Lowest point
- 430 m
- Highest point
- 481 m
The market town of Hernstein with its 7 districts lies in the middle of the largest black pine area in Central Europe, between the Triesting and Piesting valleys. The landscape is dominated by gentle mountain forms with heights of up to 600 m. Leisurely hikes predominate in the municipality. Only to the west of the municipality does the Hohe Mandling rise with beech forests at higher altitudes. However, since the fire at the Berndorfer huts at the summit (967 m), the Mandling has lost its importance for hikers. Traces of resin extraction (pitching) are still visible, especially in the extensive, resinous-smelling pine forests. The Vinzenzkapelle chapel, which is well worth seeing, the Pecherlehrpfad educational trail and the Pechermuseum with its documentation of the profession of the pitcher are also reminders of this once important industry. Today, only one resin processing company remains. There is a castle in the English Gothic style in the district of Schloss Hernstein, which now serves as a seminar hotel. The "Guggersteine" or "Altes Grab", a stone monument of supra-regional importance, is also worth a visit in the municipality.
The natural monument "Guggersteine", also known as the "Altes Grab", stands at the highest point of a small, wooded hill, the Blasenkogel. On a group of mighty conglomerate blocks lies a large block with a diameter of up to 3 m, which has been placed in its position by human hands. Below this block there is a small crawl-through cave, which was probably used for ritual acts ("Durchkriech-Kult"). There were 4 large terraces on the north side of the hill, 2 of which are still clearly visible today.
The short hike to this cult site begins in Hernstein, leads through the village and then along country lanes, forest paths and forest tracks to the Blasenkogel, which is already visible. The last section up to the Kogel is along a narrow path through the pine forest. After visiting the stone monument, turn across meadows towards Alkersdorf, where you can stop off at the Blutalm inn. You then walk back to Hernstein along the road.
Standard Hiking Gear
From the parking lot at the municipal office, turn west and follow Berndorfer Straße for 300 meters to Schloss Hernstein. 20 meters past the castle entrance, turn left into a side street (Hintersteindl). The Blasenkogel is already visible from here. After another 200 m, this alley joins a dirt road that continues straight ahead. Through a beautiful meadow landscape—and finally along a paddock—this path leads on flat ground to the edge of the forest. At the end of the wooden fence, turn left at a fork onto a forest road that climbs steeply uphill, and then keep left again as you enter the forest. Next, follow the sign for “Alkersdorf, Altes Grab, Gugersteine” and take the flat forest road to another fork. Here, turn left again onto the descending path and enter a small valley with a stream, which you cross. Once you reach the foot of the Blasenkogel, turn right and take the slightly uphill hiking trail (Triftweg) until a wooden railing becomes visible on the left side of the slope. Don’t miss this turnoff; leave the hiking trail and follow the wooden railing sharply to the left uphill along a narrow footpath through the pine forest. In two switchbacks, this path leads quickly and directly to the Guggersteinen natural monument (information sign) at the highest point of the Blasenkogel (elevation 475 m).
After exploring the site and crawling through the rocks, follow the footpath along the ridge toward the southeast, then head downhill toward the meadow that is already visible. Now either take the beaten path across the meadow, or—if it is not visible—walk off-trail along the edge of the forest toward Alkersdorf until you reach the paved road. Heading uphill to the left, you’ll soon reach Alkersdorfer Straße.
(For a break at the Blutalm inn, turn right after 150 m.) Now follow Alkersdorfer Straße to the left back to the starting point.
Parking lot at the municipal office
Parking Note: Please follow local parking regulations and check for any parking fees or time restrictions. We recommend checking the parking situation in advance to ensure a stress-free arrival.
Take the Leobersdorf exit on the A2 South Highway, then follow the Hainfeld federal highway (B 18) to Berndorf. Turn left onto the L 4020 toward Aigen and Hernstein. In Hernstein, park at the municipal office.
Travel Advice: Please check the route to the meeting point in advance and allow plenty of time. Be aware of possible traffic delays, road construction, or public transportation disruptions.
Recommended period
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Wienerwald Tourism
3002 Purkersdorf, Hauptplatz 11
Tel. 02231/621 76, Fax 02231/655 10
office@wienerwald.infooffice@wienerwald.info
www.wienerwald.info
Leader Region Triestingtal
2560 Berndorf, Leobersdorfer Straße 42
Tel/Fax 02672-87001
office@triestingtal.atoffice@triestingtal.at
www.triestingtal.at
Market Town of Hernstein
2560 Hernstein, Berndorfer Straße 6
Tel: 02633-47205, Fax: 02633-47205 – 9
http://www.hernstein.gv.atwww.hernstein.gv.at
marktgemeinde@hernstein.gv.at
Pech Museum
2560 Hernstein, Pfarrgasse 2
Hours: May through October, Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., donation-based admission
Other times are available by appointment.
Phone: Hernstein Municipal Office: 02633-47205
Pecherhof, Natural Products Made from Pine Resin
2560 Hernstein, Pecherhof
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Mail Order – Tel: 02633-47268
Penninger Inn
2560 Aigen, Hernsteinerstr. 1
Closed on Mondays
Phone: 02633-47450
Zaloznik Inn
2560 Pöllau, Pöllau 2
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Phone: 02672-840 11
Zum Grünen Kreuz Inn
2560 Hernstein, Berndorferstraße 8
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Phone: 02633-47225
Blutalm Inn
2560 Alkersdorf, Alkersdorf 11
Closed: Monday from 2 p.m., Tuesday all day, Wednesday through Friday 2–4 p.m.
Phone: 02633-47200
Kaiser Family Wine Tavern
2560 Kleinfeld, Kleinfeld 4
Phone: 02672-88990
Wöhrer Family Wine Tavern
2560 Kleinfeld, Kleinfeld 1
Phone: 02672-82995
Zigeuner Family Wine Tavern
2560 Neusiedl, Dorfstraße 27
Phone: 02672-81427
Kirchenwirt at Knappenhof
2560 Grillenberg, Am Knappenhof 3
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to midnight
Phone: 02672-81825
Fozeben Ski Lodge
Address: 2560 Berndorf, Obere Ödlitzerstraße 25
OeAV Berndorf Section
Open by appointment
Phone: 0664-5327680
Letzte Änderung: 6 Aug 2026