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Anyone who takes the time to hike in the Semmering-Rax region should choose these tours. Between alpine paths, historic railway lines and panoramic peaks , it becomes clear how closely nature, technology and man are connected here.
These multi-day tour suggestions lead you step by step through the diversity of a region that inspires - with clear air, living history and impressive encounters on the high plateau of the Rax or on more leisurely paths in the valley. Overnight stays are in mountain huts with character and in hotels in the valley, where you can savour the tranquillity of the day.
What's special: Each stage is accessible by public transport - by train, RUFbus or cable car. This means that the entire hiking holiday can be organised in a climate-friendly way, from the journey there to the return journey.
| day | Route & Highlights | Refreshments & overnight stay |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival at Semmering railway station Round tour from Semmering to the Sonnwendstein and Hirschenkogel | Refreshment stops: Pollereshütte, Liechtensteinhaus or Enzianhütte. Overnight stay in a hotel in Semmering. |
| Day 2 | Semmering railway hiking trail to Breitenstein (or possible as far as Payerbach) Along the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway with 20-Schilling view, Doppelreiter lookout point and Kalte Rinne Viaduct. | Refreshment stops along the route. Drive from Breitenstein to Reichenau. Overnight stay in Reichenau or Payerbach (e.g. Wanderhotel Raxalpenhof). |
| Day 3 | Hut hopping on the Rax From Preiner Gscheid to the Rax, across mountain pine fields to the hut stop. | Overnight stay on the Rax - e.g. Ottohaus or Raxalm Berggasthof. |
| Day 4 | Descent with the Rax cable car Journey home from Payerbach-Reichenau railway station or From Kurpark Reichenau to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben Hike to the brightest hut in Austria | Overnight stay at the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben |
| Day 5 (optional) | Continue over the Krumbachstein to Puchberg am Schneeberg Hike with a view of the highest mountain in Lower Austria, the Schneeberg. | Stop for refreshments at the Baumgartnerhütte or Hengsthütte |
After travelling to Semmering railway station , the hike starts via the Almsteig to the Sonnwendstein. An impressive viewpoint opens up at the summit vantage point which makes the destinations of the next few days visible. Up here you will also find the Pollereshütte - an ideal place for the first rest stop.
From there, the trail continues downhill to the Hirschenkogel, where the Liechtensteinhaus or the Enzianhütte invite you to stop for a bite to eat. If you prefer a more sporty option, you can hike down into the valley. Alternatively, ride down on mountain carts or take the mountain railway down.
The second day is dedicated to history. Along the famous Semmering Railway - UNESCO World Heritage Site and pioneering technical achievement of the 19th century - the railway trail runs between viaducts, galleries and impressive viewpoints such as the 20-Schilling-View or the Doppelreiter viewing platform.
Here you can see how harmoniously the art of engineering and the landscape are combined. The most popular section leads from Semmering to Breitenstein, those who want to go further can hike on to Payerbach. The RUFbus takes hikers from Breitenstein comfortably to their accommodation in Payerbach or Reichenau - for example to the Raxalpenhof hiking hotel.
On the third day, the high plateau of the Rax awaits. From the Preiner Gscheid - or directly from the Raxalpenhof the trail leads up via the more challenging Göbel-Kühn-Steig. At the top, an impressive panorama opens up with the typical mountain pine fields and clear mountain air.
At the Neue Seehütte is well worth a break before continuing on to the surrounding huts. Each has its own character and invites you to linger. If you spend the night up here, you must experience the sunrise on the mountain the next morning. Recommended places to spend the night are the Ottohaus or the Raxalm Berggasthof - ideal for the short descent the next day.
The next day, the Rax cable car, Austria's first passenger cable car, takes you back down into the valley. Once at the bottom, you can take the RUFbus or public bus to Payerbach-Reichenau railway station.
If you would like to extend the hike, you can walk from the Reichenau spa gardens in around 3 hours to the Knofeleben Nature Friends' Centre hike. It is the brightest refuge in Austria and offers overnight accommodation in rooms and dormitories.
The next day, you descend via the Krummbachstein to Puchberg am Schneeberg. On the Krummbachstein you have a summit experience and are right opposite the Schneeberg. The view towards Schneeberg accompanies hikers on the last few kilometres. On the way down, you can stop off at the Baumgartnerhütte or the Hengsthütte. The journey home is easy from Puchberg am Schneeberg railway station.
