Short getaway: With children in the Semmering-Rax region

Explore nature, experience adventure, discover history

The Semmering-Rax region offers families the perfect setting for a short break without a car - close to nature, exciting and easily accessible. Between mountains and history, experiences await that will delight young and old alike. Whether on the summit, on rails or along the crystal-clear river: here, every day becomes a little adventure. And if you want to stay, you will find cosy accommodation - from overnight stays in huts to family-friendly hotels in the valley.

Day 1: Adventure on the Hirschenkogel

• Take the mountain railway up high: in Semmering, the day begins with a ride up the Hirschenkogel. Once at the top, the Hirschi playground awaits, where children can pan for gold and climb while their parents enjoy the panoramic view. The forest ropes course with its various courses is right next to the summit station. Thrill-seekers can try the Millennium Jump - a highlight for adventurous parents.
• A speedy descent into the valley: the mountain carts take you downhill at a brisk pace. Stop off at the Enzianhütte or the Liechtensteinhaus.
• Extra tip for active people: sporty families can hike on to the Sonnwendstein (approx. 1:15 hours - 3.5 km) - a rewarding destination with magnificent views and a stop at the Pollereshütte.
• Good to know: Niederösterreich-CARD and Mobilitätscard+ are valid.

Day 2: Family adventure on the Rax

• Take the oldest cable car in Austria up the mountain: the Rax cable car takes you up to the high plateau in just eight minutes. There is already a playground at the valley station - another one awaits at the top. Back carriers can be hired for small children.
• Hiking with a view and radio play: The path to the Ottohaus is ideal for families: easy to walk and with wonderful views from the Ottohaus viewing platform. From the Ottohaus, it is worth taking a detour to the Höllentalaussicht - a panoramic view of the Höllental gorge and the Schneeberg.
  Exciting for children: the radio play adventures with the Locandy app on four different nature themes.
• Refreshments and overnight stays: There are refreshment stops at the Ottohaus and the Raxalm Berggasthof. If you want to enjoy an evening on the mountain, you can also spend the night there. An insider tip is the RaxBräu brewery, which is located on the way back down the valley towards Reichenau. Cosy accommodation awaits you in the valley in Reichenau or at the Wanderhotel Raxalpenhof.
• Good to know: Niederösterreich-CARD and Mobilitätscard+ are valid.

Day 3: On the trail of history

• Time travel on rails: The Höllentalbahn takes you from Payerbach to Hirschwang - a historic local railway, 100 years old and suitable for pushchairs. Guided tours of the depot and the substation make history tangible.
• Hiking along the water: The water pipeline trail to Kaiserbrunn leads around 4 kilometres along the rushing Schwarza - ideal for families with children. The destination is the Wasserleitungsmuseum, where the exciting history of Vienna's drinking water supply is told.
• Additional tip: From Kaiserbrunn, the Regiobalbus or the RUFbus takes families to the Falkenstein Nature Park in Schwarzau im Gebirge in around 15 minutes - with a petting zoo, fish pond, playground and cosy walking trails.
• Good to know: Lower Austria CARD valid on the Höllentalbahn railway and for guided tours of the Wasserleitungsmuseum and Mobilitätscard+ valid on the Höllentalbahn railway.