Hut hopping on the Raxalpe (Variant 1b)

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 12,43 km
Ascent: 462 m elevation gain
Descent: 938 m elevation gain

***** Attention: Renaturation work is taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Therefore, please use the ascent via the forest road! **** Huts hike from the summit station of the Rax cable car, via Ottohaus and Karl-Ludwig-Haus to Preiner Gscheid - easily accessible by public transport!

Starting point of the tour: Hirschwang an der Rax, valley station Rax cable car
Tour destination: Edelweißhütte, Preiner Gscheid

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 12,43 km
Ascent: 462 m elevation gain
Descent: 938 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point1069 m
Highest point1896 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Suitable for families and children

Downloads

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Description

The Rax Areal Ropeway, the oldest cable car in Austria, which started operating in 1926, takes you up the mountain. The Ottohaus, which is the first of the huts to be reached after the summit station, has a special feature: a 4,000m² alpine garden with around 200 alpine plants typical of the region. The next stop, the Seehütte, owes its name to a small lake that seeped away shortly after the First World War. Without having to overcome any great difficulties, you "hop" from hut to hut on the Rax.

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a completely beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:Make sure when choosing the route that it matches your mountain experience and your physical condition. Check the weather forecast in advance. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly and quickly. Therefore, always start suitably equipped (e.g., rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stops you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about your route choice and your planned return before you set off.In fog and strong wind, hikes on the plateau are not recommended!
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for the route, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone and save the emergency mountain rescue number: 140
Route description The starting point is the Rax cable car. It takes us in just a few minutes to the mountain station at 1547 m above sea level. From the cable car mountain station, we follow the red marking to the Gatterlkreuz and continue to the Ottohaus. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the first hut of this route, overcoming 100 meters of elevation. Anyone who wants to reach another summit can climb the nearby Jakobskogel (1737 m). In just 10 to 15 minutes, following the blue marking, we reach its summit cross. From the Ottohaus, the path takes us through dwarf pines past the Preiner Wand Cross and above the well-known climbing paradise Preiner Wand to the Neue Seehütte, located in a hollow. From the Neue Seehütte, we head west over the Trinksteinsattel. Next, we continue over the Predigtstuhl to the Karl-Ludwig-Haus. Afterwards, we hike to the Waxriegelhaus and then down to the left to the Preiner Gscheid. Please do not cross the "old ski slope" or go downhill off-trail. Due to erosion damage, this section needs to recover.
Parking Parking is available at the valley station of the Rax cable car.
Getting there A2 to Seebenstein junction - S6 to Gloggnitz - B27 to Hirschwang an der Rax, valley station Rax cable car (on the outskirts of Hirschwang)
Public transport Arrival:Take the Southern Railway to Payerbach-Reichenau. Between the Payerbach-Reichenau train station and the valley station of the Rax cable car, regular buses (line 341) run, or book the Semmering-Rax RUFbus to the starting point.Stop: 12 RaxseilbahnDeparture:Take the Regionalbus 342 back to the Payerbach-Reichenau train station or the Semmering-Rax RUFbus.Stop: 132 Preiner GscheidFurther information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at
Editor’s tip Collect feelings of happiness & hiking badges: Collect the "Hut Hopping" - hiking badge during your hike from hut to hut.

Recommended period

Even more hikeable variants:

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1c

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 2

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 3

Contact points:

Rax cable car mountain inn, +43/2666/52450

Ottohaus, +43/2666/52402

Neue Seehütte, +43/676/7488719

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

Tourism office Reichenau, www.reichenau.at, +43 / 2666 / 52865

Raxalpe, www.raxalpe.com, +43 / 2666 / 52497

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026