High above the clouds: The Semmering - a milestone in railway history
Since the 19th century, the town has been a popular summer holiday destination for Vienna's "high society". Even today, winter tourism and spa tourism are still of great economic importance (180,000 overnight stays per year, with a strong upward trend).
Today, lifts lead up to the Hirschenkogel (which is once again known as the Magic Mountain has been preserved). World Cup ski races also regularly take place on the Hirschenkogel.
In summer, the lifts on the Zauberberg are used for the Bikepark Semmering, which has been used by downhill and freeride mountain bikers since 2006. The lifts are available to bikers from June to October. The bike park has several trails with different levels of difficulty (including a family trail, freeride trail, downhill trail) and numerous jumps, root passages, steep bends, etc. In addition, the first 24-hour downhill race was organised in 2006.
World Cup ski race and UNESCO World Heritage Site: Semmering Railway as a milestone in railway history
The Semmering railway is a section of the Southern Railway in Austria. It runs from Gloggnitz via Semmering to Mürzzuschlag. It was the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe, was planned by Carl von Ghega and opened in 1854. The route and locomotive construction of the Semmering Railway are considered milestones in railway history. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.