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Photo: © NÖVOG / Lindmoser
Photo: © NÖVOG / Kolonovits
Photo: © NÖVOG / Leiminger
Photo: © NÖVOG / Weber
A paradise for mountain lovers and sport enthusiasts Austria is famous for its Alpine mountains, for winter sports and scenic hikes. With so many destinations to choose from, it is not easy to find the right one. Gemeindealpe Mitterbach, an Alpine mountain with its peak at 1,626 metres, offers the right adventure for everyone – from outdoor and sports enthusiasts, to those preferring a calm environment to relax. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN
After taking the lift up to the top, Gemeindealpe Mitterbach offers visitors a great deal of fun and action in summer and in winter. The mountain lies directly in the famous Mariazell area and, when it comes to the weather, it combines two outstanding features. The weather in summer is often very sunny and in 50 | Issue 42 | September 2016
winter snowfall is guaranteed. From Gemeindealpe Mitterbach’s peak, one has the best view over the surrounding landscape: over the Erlaufsee, a lake at its foot, towards Mariazell, only 5.5 kilometres away, on the one side, on the other from the Alpine foothills towards Schneeberg, Rax and Hochschwab. Even further on the
horizon, visitors can get a glimpse of the Gesäuse National Park with its high-rising mountains. “Gemeindealpe Mitterbach is the ideal destination for those who like active holidays or to spend time in nature,” says Gerhard Stindl, managing director at NÖVOG. The company operates the lifts around Gemeindealpe Mitterbach as well as various trains in Lower Austria. Gemeindealpe Mitterbach has a four-seat chair lift called the Bodenbauer Express that takes guests up to the mid-station at 1,300 metres. To carry on the journey to the peak, from here visitors can take another two-seat