Hut hopping on the Raxalpe (Variant 1c)

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,29 km
Ascent: 211 m elevation gain
Descent: 678 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 Raxalm-Berggasthof via Ottohaus and Seehütte further along the Göbl-Kühn-Steig to the Waxriegelhaus.

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

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,29 km
Ascent: 211 m elevation gain
Descent: 678 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
6/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point1072 m
Highest point1694 m

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

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Description

Hut hopping means being able to be out and about at sub-alpine heights, on alpine meadows and in the mountain pine zone, without having to tackle arduous climbs. The way up is on the Rax Areal Ropeway, Austria's oldest cable car, which started operating back in 1926. 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 World War I. You "hop" from hut to hut on the Rax without having to overcome any great difficulties.

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a pleasant and safe experience altogether. Please note the following:Make sure when choosing the route whether it matches your mountain experience and fitness. Inform yourself in advance about the weather forecast. The weather can change surprisingly fast in the mountains. Therefore, always start equipped accordingly (e.g. rain protection).Check if the huts and refreshment stops you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and planned return before you set off.In fog and strong wind, tours on the high plateau are not recommended!
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description The starting point is the Rax cable car. It takes us in 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 further to the Ottohaus. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the first hut on this route, overcoming 100 meters of elevation. Those who want to add a summit can climb the nearby Jakobskogel (1737 m). Following the blue marking, we reach its summit cross in just 10 to 15 minutes. From the Ottohaus, the path leads us through dwarf pine past the Preiner Wand Kreuz and above the well-known climbing paradise Preiner Wand to the Neue Seehütte, located in a hollow. The third variant of the Rax hut route branches off directly at the Neue Seehütte to the south. Via the Göbl-Kühn path, we hike through the Langermanngraben to the Waxriegelhaus. From there, it goes down to the left to the Preiner Gscheid, where our destination is located. Please do not cross the "old ski slope" or go off-trail. Due to erosion damage, this section must 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 (at the end of Hirschwang village)
Public transport Arrival:Take the Southern Railway (Südbahn) to Payerbach-Reichenau. Between the Payerbach-Reichenau station and the valley station of the Rax cable car, buses or the RUFbus Semmering-Rax run at regular intervals to the starting point.Stop: 12 Rax cable carDeparture:Take Regional Bus 342 back to Payerbach-Reichenau station or the RUFbus Semmering-Rax.Stop: 132 Preiner GscheidMore information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at.
Editor’s tip Collect feelings of happiness – collect hiking badges: Collect the "Hut Hopping Hiking Badges" during your hike from hut to hut.

Recommended period

Morehikeable variants:

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1b

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 2

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - Variant 3

Support points:

Rax cable car mountain guesthouse, +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