recommended route
Stage 11
WAB - Stage 11: Prein - Habsburghaus
Hiking Routes
· Wiener Alpen
-
Photo: Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich
During the 11th stage of the Viennese Alps (WAB) route, the landscapes become more alpine in character. Initially, the route heads through orchards and farmyards then slowly through mountain woodland uphill to the high, rocky plateau of the Rax.
difficult
Distance 11.9 km
5:00 h
1,249 m
116 m
1,793 m
664 m
The ascent to the Rax gradually starts from Prein onwards, which requires good conditioning as it takes the Schlangenweg route up to this high alpine plateau. After handling the demanding ascent of the Rax, take your time and enjoy the next stage on the way to the Habsburghaus. Upon reaching the Karl-Ludwig-Haus, you are rewarded with a tremendous view of where you have come from between the Wechsel and Semmering. When at Habsburghaus at the end of the stage, you have views of the adjacent Schneealpe summit and the Ötscher. If you arrive at the right time and the weather is fine, then the sunset is unforgettable.
Author’s recommendation
Combine your hike with a stay in the Wellness-Seminarhotel Raxalpenhof**** and be pampered. Bookable packages can be found here.
Author
Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH
Update: May 19, 2020
Quality route according to "Österreichisches Wandergütesiegel"
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,793 m
Lowest point
664 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
2.4 km
Forested/wild trail
0.8 km
Path
7.4 km
Road
1.3 km
Unknown
0 km
Rest stops
Karl-Ludwig-HausSafety information
Your hiking experience in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe one. Therefore, please bear the following in mind:
Preparation
When choosing a route, make sure it corresponds to your experience and physical fitness level. Check the weather forecast before you set off. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Always take appropriate equipment with you (e.g. rain protection).
Check whether the cabins and snack stations you intend to visit along the way are open. Inform someone before you set off of your chosen route and when you plan to return.
Tips and hints
You may like to hike the adjoining routes:WAB - Stage 10: Semmering - Prein
WAB - Stage 12: Habsburghaus - Reichenau
WAB - Regional Route N: Preintal - Habsburghaus
Viennese Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Start
Prein, Raxalpenhof (663 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.674247, 15.765077
DMS
47°40'27.3"N 15°45'54.3"E
UTM
33T 557429 5280378
w3w
///confidential.slanders.vacancy
Destination
Habsburghaus
Turn-by-turn directions
This stage starts at the Raxalpenhof hotel in the centre of Prein an der Rax. We walk along Hauptstraße alongside the Preinerbach stream for around 20 minutes. Shortly after the Doderer monument, we turn right onto a narrow paved road and head uphill to the car park at Griesleitenhof. Continue to walk uphill along the forest road. Both the Haidsteig and Preinerwandsteig routes veer right after a few minutes, but we ignore both. After 20 minutes on the forest road, we arrive at the Oberer Griesleitengraben ditch and follow a steep forest path uphill to the Waxriegelhaus (open every day). From here, we can see the Siebenbrunnenkessel basin and the Schlangenweg route snaking its way up to it. We briefly descend from the Waxriegelhaus over a meadow and then ascend via the Schlangenweg route in drawn-out hairpin bends up to the Rax. Just before the Karl-Ludwig-Haus, we have two different route options available to us: A short, but steeper climb secured with steel cables is one option, or you can go right via the Törl on a simpler but longer route. We spoil ourselves eating at Karl-Ludwig-Haus before setting off on the way to the Habsburgshaus.
This route continues from the Karl-Ludwig-Haus for a few moments down towards the Törl before heading towards the Habsburgshaus on the western ridge of the Predigtstuhl. We hike downhill slightly into a ditch through Latschen before a steep ascent at the other end of the ditch and more even terrain meets us on our way to the Habsburgshaus. If the views are clear we can enjoy the sunset over the Schneealpe. If the weather is not ideal, then Alpine salamanders may appear instead.
Public transport
Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Payerbach-Reichenau railway station. Carry on with the 1748 regional bus to the centre of Prein an der Rax.More information can be found at www.öbb.at
By road
If you are travelling from Vienna on the A2, take the S6 towards Semmering/Bruck a.d. Mur/Neunkirchen West then leave at the Gloggnitz exit. Continue on the B27 towards Höllental, then turn left just after Reichenau an der Rax and follow the signs to Prein. If you are travelling from Graz on the S6, leave the Schnellstraße at the Mürzzuschlag West exit, head towards Mürzsteg on the B23, then turn right off the B23 at the chapels and follow the signs over the Preiner Gscheid to Prein.Parking
Car parking is available at the Raxalpenhof in Prein.Coordinates
DD
47.674247, 15.765077
DMS
47°40'27.3"N 15°45'54.3"E
UTM
33T 557429 5280378
w3w
///confidential.slanders.vacancy
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Author’s map recommendations
Freytag & Berndt WK 022
Equipment
Always bring suitable maps. Always wear appropriate, sturdy footwear, bring sun and rain protection and water, as well as a little something to eat. Bring your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
11.9 km
Duration
5:00 h
Ascent
1,249 m
Descent
116 m
Highest point
1,793 m
Lowest point
664 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
- 8 Waypoints
- 8 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m