From Prein to Payerbach on the Vienna Alpine Arc

Popis

The Rax shows its best side on this two-day hike along the path on the Vienna Alpine Arc. Starting from the certified hiking hotel Raxalpenhof, the first day leads via Waxriegelhaus and the snake path to Karl-Ludwig-Haus. From the mountain hut awarded as an organic farm, the highest point of the Rax, the Heukuppe at 2007 meters, is almost within reach. The night is spent at Habsburghaus. The second day leads via Neue Seehütte and the scenic ridge trail to Otto-Schutzhaus. Here you say goodbye to the Rax and continue the route to Payerbach.

Výchozí bod trasy

Prein an der Rax

Cílový bod trasy

Payerbach

Popis trasy From Prein to Payerbach on the Vienna Alpine Arc

This two-day Rax route on the Vienna Alpine Arc starts in the town center of Prein an der Rax at the Wanderhotel Raxalpenhof. For about 20 minutes, we walk uphill along the main street next to the Preinerbach. Shortly after the Doderer Memorial, we turn right onto the narrow asphalt road and go uphill to the parking lot at Griesleitenhof. We continue hiking uphill on the forest road; Haidsteig and Preinerwandsteig branch off to the right after a few minutes. After 20 minutes on the forest road, we arrive at the upper Griesleitengraben and from here follow the steep forest path uphill to Waxriegelhaus (no rest days). From here, we already have a view of the Siebenbrunnenkessel and the snake path winding upwards. Shortly, we descend briefly from Waxriegelhaus over a pasture and then go uphill over the snake path in elongated switchbacks onto the Rax. Shortly before the Karl-Ludwig-Haus, we have two different route options: a shorter but steeper trail secured with steel cables going directly up or, on the right over the Törl, an easier but longer path. At Karl-Ludwig-Haus, we indulge in culinary delights before taking the path to Habsburghaus.

The onward path leads a few minutes downhill from Karl-Ludwig-Haus to the Törl and from here further towards Habsburghaus on the west slope of Predigtstuhl. We walk gently downhill into a ravine through dwarf pines before it becomes steep uphill on the other side of the ravine and we then continue leisurely to the Habsburghaus. With clear visibility, we enjoy the sunset over the Schneealpe. If the weather is unfavorable, perhaps some Alpine salamanders may appear.

The next hiking day starts at trail number 44 towards the Neue Seehütte and Rax Cable Car. We pass the Jahn Cross and walk through dwarf pine paths to Trinksteinsattel near the mountain rescue hut. In emergencies, shelter is available in the hut. We climb 200 meters in elevation to Neue Seehütte and descend to the viewpoint. Uphill again, we ascend with magnificent views to the ridge trail and Preinerwand Cross. The blue-marked ridge trail to the Otto-Schutzhaus is more scenic but sometimes a bit narrower, yet not exposed. Alternatively, the transition to Ottohaus via the red-marked lake trail is possible. We cross the terrace at Ottohaus and walk in a long right curve to the visible Törl and start the descent on the Törlweg. The scenic but not exposed Törlweg leads us down several switchbacks. A little further down, we follow the signposts to Hirschwang and Edlach, passing Lammelbründl. We descend to Knappenhof and continue on a meadow path to the left, further downhill. After a few minutes, we reach a junction where we turn left towards Hirschwang but after a few meters switch right onto the red-marked hiking trail towards Hirschwang-Erlangerkreuz.

The forest path ends in an asphalt road leading to residential houses. We turn right into Trautenbergstraße and then right at the federal road towards Reichenau. After a half-hour walk through Reichenau, we turn right shortly after the Reichenau Kurtheater onto a parking lot. We cross the parking lot and turn left onto the promenade path next to the Schwarza river. At the viaduct, we meet a road again and continue towards the center. Passing the outdoor pool and pavilion, we turn left shortly afterward over the Schwarza bridge and cross the federal road. The last meters ascend along Bahnhofweg to Payerbach-Reichenau station.