Hike from Preiner Gscheid to Waxriegelhaus

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2,99 km
Ascent: 286 m elevation gain

***** Attention: Renaturation and forestry work is taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Please use the ascent via the forest road or Rettenbachgraben!! **** Nice hike from Preiner Gscheid to Waxriegelhaus. The ideal hike for families!

Starting point of the tour: Preiner Gscheid
Tour destination: Waxriegelhaus

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2,99 km
Ascent: 286 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point1069 m
Highest point1355 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Suitable for families and children

Downloads

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Description

**** ATTENTION: ROUTE CHANGE ****

Due to renaturation work on the path, the route via the forest road or via the Helenenquelle to Waxriegelhaus must currently be used.

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At the foot of the Rax is the Waxriegelhaus, open year-round at 1,361 meters above sea level. The hut is quietly located in a natural environment with forest and pasture. This pleasant atmosphere can already be enjoyed during the ascent from Preiner Gscheid. The pass height between Lower Austria and Styria is the starting point for numerous hikes. After just a few meters you are surrounded by the quiet of the forest and reach Waxriegelhaus in about an hour. Here, the hiker can strengthen themselves with the house-brewed Waxriegel beer and various culinary delights, such as specialties from Styria beef. From Preiner Gscheid, you can also comfortably ascend to the Waxriegelhaus via the forest road, which takes a bit longer but involves no steep climbs.

Family tip: The hike to Waxriegelhaus is also possible with a stroller. With an all-terrain stroller, you can reach the hut directly via the forest road.

Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Put on sturdy shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and save the emergency number of mountain rescue: 140
Route description For the ascent, take the red-white marked forest road. To reach the entrance of the forest road, follow the street briefly towards Lower Austria, and then the entrance is on the left side. Continue following it to the Waxriegelhaus. Please do not cross the "old ski slope" or go off-trail. Due to erosion damage, this section needs to recover.
Parking Parking available at Edelweißhütte/Preiner Gscheid.
Getting there From Vienna, take the South Motorway A2 to the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, there take the third exit (Wartholzstraße) at the roundabout. Turn left onto Edlach, slightly left onto Dörfl, continue on L135, continue on Prein an der Rax/L135, continue on Preinrotte, turn slightly right onto Prein an der Rax, continue to Preiner Gscheid Str. up to the pass height.From Graz, take the S35 onto the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Mürzzuschlag-West exit. Continue on B23. Take the first exit at the roundabout to stay on B23. Turn right onto Hauptstraße, continue on Stojenstraße. Continue on Preiner Gscheid Str. up to the pass height.
Public transport Take the regional train towards Payerbach-Reichenau from Vienna via Wiener Neustadt to the final station. Take a taxi to Edelweißhütte/parking lot/Preiner Gscheid or take regional bus 1748 (direction: Prein/Rax Gh Oberer Eggl) to the Edelweißhütte, Preiner Gscheid stop.More information at www.oebb.at or www.vor.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with a stay at the wellness seminar hotel Raxalpenhof**** and indulge yourself.

Recommended period

Current weather in Prein an der Rax

1° to 2°

Today, 11.02.2026

Moderate snowfall

Wind speed4,5 km/h

-1° to 2°

Tomorrow, 12.02.2026

Moderate snow shower

Wind speed5,1 km/h

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960