WAB - Regional Route J: Payerbach - Waldburgangerhütte - Knofeleben

We cross over the large car park and follow a narrow paved path westwards. The route goes downhill for a short spell. Then we turn right through the underpass and follow the road uphill. After two hairpins, a hiking route that is marked in blue heads into the forest. We ascend this then keep to the right. We cross over a road, follow the hiking route, and then meet that road once again. We go past Hof Hochberger on the right-hand side then switch over to the route marked in blue. This route is a steep ascent in parts, and a short section is secured with a chain. The strenuous effort of the ascent is instantly forgotten upon taking in the Jubilee Panorama View, which is not quite on the hiking route but can be reached via a short detour. Signs make hikers aware of this in good time. After returning to the path, we ascend the trail, cross a forest road, and continue to climb via a path marked out in blue. The path runs into a forest road. We keep to the right-hand side and turn left towards the Waldburgangerhütte after a short distance, which is reached after a short climb. This cabin is renowned for its Schöberl (dumplings added to soup) and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from May to October. After a brief stop at the cabin, we head off on a gravel road to the Bodenwiese, a wonderful alpine pasture landscape. We then have the option of seeing Gabi, the owner, and continuing on our way after some food and drink. However, the hiking route branches away on the gravel track to a meadow path somewhat before the owner’s cabin. After climbing a pasture fence, we reach a gravel track once again, onto which we turn left and head into the forest. About 15 minutes later, we turn right at a crossroads towards Lackabodenhütte cabin and then veer left upon reaching the next fork. Around five minutes later, we turn left again at Lackabodenhütte, seeing the rear of the cabin and then veer left around it. The path goes slightly downhill to a forest road, at which we turn right. This forest road leads us directly to Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben. The “brightest cabin in the Alps” took first place amongst all cabins in the Alps and is an inviting place to rest and stay the night. Regional Route J ends at this hut.

Either enjoy a cosy evening here, or continue to hike along the Viennese Alps, subsequent locations on the long distance path are Krummbachstein and Schneeberg. Alternatively, the Viennese Alps trail can be followed downhill After Kaiserbrunn into the Höllental valley and even along the route for water pipelines to Payerbach. This path is also part of the Viennese Alps long-distance route.