The Regional Route N leads from the Preintal via Nasswald up to the Rax. The Regional Routes are part of the trail network at the Wiener Alpenbogen (WAB). Hikes along these routes offer unique views and insights. The Regional Routes are connected to the trail at Wiener Alpenbogen. This creates circular hikes in combination with the long-distance trail.
Description
Lumberjack pioneer spirit, solitude, and fascinating views up to the Ötscher characterize this path. Interesting: the Preinmühle, remains of the timber rafting system in the Preinbach valley, and the lumberjack colony in Nasswald. Georg Hubmer, the "Raxkönig," once worked here. You can also see repeatedly the fountain facilities of the 1st Viennese high spring water pipeline, supplying large parts of Vienna with the best drinking water. From the Habsburghaus, the Wiener Alpenbogen continues to Prein at the Rax or to Reichenau at the Rax.
Please check here for the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus before starting your hike!
Starting point of the tour
Preinmühle
Destination point of the tour
Habsburghaus on the Rax
Route description WAB - Regional Route N: Preintal - Habsburghaus
The Regional Route N starts in the Preintal at the Preinmühle and leads us up to the Rax. Before the Preinbach bridge, we switch from the asphalt road to the gravel road towards Nasswald (marked in red). At first, we still hike along the left side of the rushing Preinbach, soon crossing to the other side of the river and following the path for half an hour. At the height of a hut, we do not follow the cart track straight uphill but keep left and cross the Preinbach on a wooden bridge. The gravel road leads us directly to Nasswald, we pass the power plant, follow the road to the Raxkönig guesthouse, and continue walking along the road towards Hinternasswald. At a wooden bridge blocked with barriers, we cross from the asphalt road left over the Nassbach towards Habsburghaus via Schüttersteig (marked in red). Initially, we still follow the path along a forest road before turning left onto a narrow footpath and from then on follow the Schüttersteig steadily uphill, sometimes steeply. After the steep ascent, we enjoy the cozy transition to the Schütterhütte, where we turn right towards the Habsburghaus. We partly follow the hiking trail on forest roads or meadow paths uphill before descending again to a forest road crossing. The Peter-Jokel-Steig branches off to the right; we turn left and cross the Stögerboden. The approach from the Kaisersteig joins from the right; we continue ascending the Zikafahnlgraben and see the Habsburghaus towering on the rock to the right. A few minutes later, we stand at the rustic mountain hut and are pleased about reaching the end of the Regional Route N. Here we meet the path at the Wiener Alpenbogen and can either hike down to Payerbach via the Otto-Schutzhaus or descend in the opposite direction to Prein via the Schlangenweg.
Directions
From Vienna via the A2 to the Wöllersdorf exit, continue on B21 to Gutenstein. After the town, continue on Klostertalstraße towards Vois and Schwarzau/Gebirge. Turn right onto B27, turn left at Schwarzau over the river into Preintal and follow the route for 3.5 kilometers to the Preinmühle.
Coming from Graz, take the S6, exit at Gloggnitz onto B27 towards Schwarzau/Gebirge. Then as per the approach from Vienna.
Parking
No official parking spaces are available in the immediate vicinity of the Preinmühle. The nearest official parking lot is in the town center of Schwarzau/Gebirge.
Public transport access is difficult. The nearest bus stop in Schwarzau im Gebirge is a one-hour walk away. From Wiener Neustadt station, trains run regularly to Payerbach-Reichenau station. From there, continue by bus to Schwarzau im Gebirge. The town of Nasswald, which lies on the route, is publicly accessible via Payerbach-Reichenau station and further by regional bus 1746 (towards Rohr im Gebirge or Schwarzau im Gebirge).
More information at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Author's tip
Combine this Regional Route with Route O (Edelweißhütte – Preintal), possibly with an overnight stay in Schwarzau/Gebirge or in the Preintal.
Please check here for the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus before starting your hike!
