Since the 19th century, the place has been a popular summer holiday destination for Vienna’s “fine society”. Even today, winter tourism and spa tourism are of great economic importance (180,000 overnight stays per year, with a strong upward trend).
Today lifts lead to the Hirschenkogel (which has again been given the nickname Magic Mountain). World Cup ski races also take place regularly on the Hirschenkogel.
In summer, the lifts on the Zauberberg are used for the Semmering bike park, which has been used by downhill and freeride mountain bikers since 2006. The lifts are available to bikers from June to October. In the bike park there are several routes with different levels of difficulty (including family route, freeride route, downhill route) and numerous jumps, root passages, banked bends, etc. In addition, the first 24-hour downhill race was held in 2006.
The Semmering Railway is a section of the Southern Railway in Austria. It runs from Gloggnitz over the Semmering to Mürzzuschlag. It was the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe, was planned by Carl von Ghega and opened in 1854. The line and locomotive construction of the Semmering Railway are considered milestones in railway history. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.