2-day hike through the Piesting valley

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 32,26 km
Duration: 10:30 h
Ascent: 1373 m elevation gain
Descent: 1461 m elevation gain

Two-day hike in the upper Piestingtal valley along the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail) from Pernitz to Markt Piesting with overnight stay in the Waxeneckhaus (note opening times).

Starting point of the tour: Pernitz-Muggendorf train station
Tour destination: Markt-Piesting train station

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 32,26 km
Duration: 10:30 h
Ascent: 1373 m elevation gain
Descent: 1461 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
4/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point332 m
Highest point964 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

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Description

After the start in Pernitz, the hiking and water world of the Myra Falls at the foot of the Hausstein is not far away. We experience the panorama of views for the first time at the Hausstein viewing point. Karnerwirt and Jagasitz provide culinary delights along the way, while the Waxeneckhaus also invites us to stay overnight. On the second day of hiking, we walk through varied forest landscapes over the Hoher Mandling and past the Pecherlehrpfad trail down to Markt Piesting.

safety instructions Preparation Make sure the route matches your experience and fitness. Check the weather forecast beforehand. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly, so always be appropriately equipped (e.g., rain protection).Check if the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and expected return before you start.Note: There are no dining options on the second stage. Please be sure to bring enough food.
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone and program the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description We start the two-day hike on the trail along the Wiener Alpenbogen through the Biedermeier Valley at Pernitz-Muggendorf train station. Coming from the tracks, we turn left at the station building, pass the fire station, and reach the federal road. Continuing westward, we pass the cemetery and turn right opposite the Pernitz-Raimundviertel train station into Urhausstraße. Signposts lead us out of the settlement; shortly after the town sign, there is a water fountain to remind anyone who forgot to fill their water bottle.We walk along Blättertalstraße, learn about Ferdinand Raimund's skull, and after 15 minutes turn right at a small chapel. Past the earth's center and a sculpture garden, we enter a pasture and climb a rugged path uphill to the right just before a newly built house. Signposts and red markings lead us steadily uphill through the shady forest to a small hill with a roadside shrine in the woods.After a short drink break, we hike down a marked trail to Purbach. We cross the bridge and now walk slightly downhill on the asphalt road to Muggendorf. Keeping left, we cross another bridge and continue to the signposted Myrafälle. Shortly before the entrance, we cross a parking lot and enter the Myrafälle (preservation fee of €3.50 for adults, €1 for children). We follow the cascades of the Myrafälle via boardwalks and stairs and enjoy this natural monument in its full glory. At the upper end of the wild waterfalls, signposts lead us away from the water back to the Wiener Alpenbogen trail, and we climb left to the Hausstein meadow. A detour to the Hausstein viewpoint lets us gaze all the way to Schneeberg.We cross the northern edge of Hausstein meadow and follow the hiking trail downhill to Gasthof Karnerwirt (closed on Tuesdays in July & August, closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays between Easter and All Saints). We turn right to the reservoir, cross Myrabach shortly before, and cross the main road. We continue toward Kreuth and Gasthof Jagasitz on the farm road past a public restroom. After a few minutes, we leave the road at information boards about tar extraction and hike gently uphill on a forest path. First ascending, then flatter and leisurely, we walk over meadows and woods to Kreuthsattel with the Gasthof Jagasitz.After a rest, we hike beside the chapel on the gravel road toward Waxeneckhaus. We pass through an enclosure, follow the red-marked paths, and arrive at Schneerosenhaus “Auf dem Hals.” We cross the pass directly and continue climbing on the gravel road. Heading slightly downhill again, we turn at house no. 10 onto the private road to Waxeneckhaus. We reach today’s accommodation after a 20-minute climb. At Waxeneckhaus, old tools from the era of tar making can be viewed.On the second day, we continue eastward on the private road and follow the Wiener Alpenbogen trail slightly downhill to Geyersattel. We hike on the wide forest path initially steadily uphill before descending a few meters to a small saddle near the ski hut Fozeben. On this path, the last wolf recorded in Lower Austria was shot in 1866. However, in recent years, reports have increased that wolves are slowly returning to Lower Austria.A steep forest path leads us through young forest up to the summit of Hohe Mandling. The Berndorfer hut, which burned down in 2007, was removed; a cross next to the rest area still commemorates it. We follow trail 231 southward over the Knödelwiese toward Markt Piesting. We descend about 1.5 km steadily downhill to a saddle, cross a forest road, and follow the hiking trail to a rest area. Here, a yellow-marked path to Berndorf branches left; we go right on the red trail downhill to a meadow with a hunting hut. We leave the forest road slightly left and continue on the forest path. A few minutes later, we again encounter a forest road and follow the hiking trail alternating between paths and forest roads to an intersection at a high-voltage line. Initially slightly uphill through dense forest, then downhill to Rotes Kreuz with a view to the left toward Alkersdorf.We hike past the water reservoir and continue walking through the pine forest. Passing the Vinzenz chapel and the tar makers’ educational trail, we arrive at a parking lot. Here, we cross the road, turn right, walk about 100 meters along the road until we turn left onto a marked hiking trail. The narrow path leads into a forest road and shortly after into an asphalt road. We descend past houses to the start and end point of the Piesting valley circular hiking trail. We go downhill along Talgasse to the chapel, turn right into Feldgasse, cross the tracks on the left at the end of the lane, and can turn onto the sidewalk to the train station.
Parking Parking available at the train station.
Getting there Coming from Vienna or Graz via the A2 motorway, leave the highway at the Wöllersdorf exit and follow the signs on B21 to Pernitz.
Public transport Travel by train or bus to Pernitz-Muggendorf train station. More info at: www.oebb.at or www.vor.at
Editor’s tip This easy two-day route is especially recommended for active and inquisitive children and adults. Water features at the Myrafälle and the tar makers’ educational trail add variety to the hike. Members of alpine clubs can stay cheaper at Waxeneckhaus. It is advisable to bring provisions for the second day, as there are no dining options until Markt Piesting.

Recommended period

Wiener Alpen in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Municipality of Pernitz, www.pernitz.gv.at, +43 / 2632 / 72220

Waxeneck shelter, www.schutzhauswaxeneck.com +43 / 2632 / 7330

www.wieneralpen.at/wanderweg

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026