©© Niederösterreich Werbung/friendship.is/Ian Ehm

Short holiday: Reichenau full of experiences

A car-free short holiday between history, nature and culture

Reichenau an der Rax: nestled between historic villas, alpine landscape and cultural depth. When travelling by train, the time-out begins as soon as you board the train. Without detours - with the feeling of arriving.

A place with history

The Semmering railway changed everything in 1854: since then, the region around Reichenau an der Rax has become a place of discovery for city dwellers and artists such as Heimito von Doderer and Arthur Schnitzler. Many others - such as the famous psychiatrist Viktor Frankl - were drawn to the 2,000 metre high natural paradise at the gates of the capital because of the variety of hiking and climbing opportunities.

And the Semmering railway still plays an important role today. More and more nature lovers are travelling to the region without a car and enjoying the stress-free independence of public transport. Another advantage: those travelling by train start their climate-conscious summer holiday 2.0 as soon as they board the train, taking just under an hour from Vienna Central Station to their destination.

Three days to remember

Day 1 - Arrive calmly

Walk past Reichenau's historic villas and through the spa gardens: the ideal start to a short holiday.
With a book and a coffee in the Wartholz castle nursery Incidentally, Otto Habsburg was born here.
Check in and sleep in at the Waldschlössl with a discount for all rail travellers

©Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich - Semmering Rax
- DifficultyEasy
- Distance7,44 km
- Duration2:00 h
Cultural walk Payerbach-Reichenau
Hiking tour Starting from Payerbach station
Opening hoursCheck opening hours
Schlossgärtnerei Wartholz
RUFbus stop: RE31 Orangerie Schloss Wartholz, public bus stop Feuchterstraße or Neubaugasse
©Waldschlössl
Waldschlössl
RUFbus stop: RE42 Waldschlössl-Schneedörfl

Day 2 - High up with the Rax cable car

Hiking on the Rax plateau: get to the top in just 8 minutes and enjoy the impressive views and countless hiking routes. A regular bus service runs between the valley station and the railway station.
Immerse yourself in the history of Reichenau: at the historic railway railway station or on a romantic ride on the Höllental railway (Sundays and public holidays only).
A stop at the architecturally unique Looshaus on the Kreuzberg is both a highlight of a hike and can also be conveniently reached by RUFbus worth a visit.

Opening hoursCheck opening hours
Rax cable car
RUFbus stop: RE26, public bus stop: Hirschwang an der Rax Rax Areal Ropeway valley station
©Österreich Werbung/Stefan Strasser
Opening hoursCheck opening hours
Höllentalbahn museum railroad
RUFbus stop: RE24 Höllentalbahn/BHF Hirschwang, PB4 Höllentalbahn/BHF Payerbach
©Wiener Alpen / Christian Kremsl
Opening hoursCheck opening hours
Looshaus am Kreuzberg
RUFbus stop: PB9 Looshaus

Day 3 - Active and cultural

Cycle tour along the Schwarzatal cycle route through sparse pine forests and along the river to Lanzenkirchen. Bikes can be hired on site.
Enjoy culture: The cultural events in Reichenau are known far beyond the borders of the region. In July and August, the Reichenau Theatre opens its doors.
A sweet ending: Original Reichenau rusk tasting in the pastry shop Alber. Prepared according to a family recipe that is over 100 years old.

©© Wiener Alpen/Martin Fülöp, Christian Kremsl
Bike rental stations
At Scharfegger's Raxalpenhof and Park'n'Camp bike hire, you can enjoy a 10% discount on hire bikes and e-bikes with the Mobilitätscard+.

Travelling to Reichenau

Take the Südbahn railway to Payerbach-Reichenau station
continue with the RUFbus to the accommodation
Bus route 342 and 341 runs in the village

You receive the MobilityCard+ at the reception of your accommodation and can enjoy the following benefits during your stay:
- Free travel from the nearest railway station to the accommodation, as well as free travel from the accommodation to the nearest railway station
- The journey is free of charge up to 7.5 km
- From 7.5 km 50% of the full price will be charged → to the fare table
The MobilityCard+ must be presented by the guest at the start of the journey. If the guest is travelling to the accommodation, at least a booking confirmation must be shown.