Hike over the Schlangenweg to the Karl Ludwig House

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4,84 km
Ascent: 733 m elevation gain

***** Attention: Renaturation and forestry work are taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Therefore, please use the ascent via the forest road or Rettenbachgraben!! **** From Preiner Gscheid, you can reach the Waxriegelhaus on the Rax in a very short time. From there, it goes over the Schlangenweg to the Karl Ludwig House with a paradisiacal view!

Starting point of the tour: Preiner Gscheid
Tour destination: Karl Ludwig House

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4,84 km
Ascent: 733 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point1069 m
Highest point1802 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

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Description

The junction and starting point for many hiking trails on the Rax, Preiner Gscheid, is the start of this ascent. The route leads over hiking paths, the Siebenbrunnerwiese, and the Schlangenweg up to the Rax plateau to the Karl Ludwig House, from where you can enjoy a great view into the paradise of views.

Equipment EquipmentAlways take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description Take the red and white marked forest road for the ascent. To reach the entrance of the forest road, walk briefly along the road towards Lower Austria, then the entrance is on the left side. Continue following it up to the Waxriegelhaus. Please do not cross the "old ski slope" or go off-trail. Due to erosion damage, this section needs to recover. Afterwards, you will reach the Siebenbrunnenwiese. We continue and take the Schlangenweg. Following this path, we walk the switchbacks uphill to the Rax plateau and reach the Karl Ludwig House.
Parking Paid parking spaces are available at Preiner Gscheid. On busy hiking days, parking capacity is limited. We recommend public transport with the RUFbus.
Getting there From Vienna, take the Southern Motorway A2 to S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, then continue on L135 to Preiner Gscheid.From Graz, take the S35 or A2 to S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, then continue on L135 to Preiner Gscheid.
Public transport Take the Southern Railway to Payerbach-Reichenau. Between the Payerbach-Reichenau station and Preiner Gscheid, buses run regularly in summer (www.vor.at) or individually book the RUFbus Semmering-Rax.RUFbus stops:Bahnhof Payerbach-Reichenau (35)Preiner Gscheid (132)
Editor’s tip Travel by train and the RUFbus, as only a limited number of parking spaces are available on busy hiking days. Extend the route and hop from hut to hut: Hut hopping on the Rax From the Karl Ludwig House, you can already see the Rax chapel. It is dedicated to climbers who lost their lives.

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

Tourism Office Reichenau +43 2666 52865

Hut hopping on the Rax

Hut opening hours