Hut hopping on the Raxalpe (Variant 3)

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 17,56 km
Duration: 6:34 h
Ascent: 890 m elevation gain
Descent: 888 m elevation gain

Rax Huts Loop Trail from Preiner Gscheid via the Karl-Ludwig-Haus, Habsburghaus, and Neue Seehütte. Return via the Waxriegelhaus to Preiner Gscheid. ***** Note: Renaturation work is underway on the trail between Preiner Gscheid and the Waxriegelhaus. Please use the forest road! ****

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

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Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 17,56 km
Duration: 6:34 h
Ascent: 890 m elevation gain
Descent: 888 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:6/6
Overall experience:5/6
Scenery:6/6
Hiking difficulty:2/6

Lowest point: 1068 m
Highest point: 1894 m

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

Downloads

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe (Variant 3)
(GPX | 76.35 KB)

This third version of the Rax hut hopping route starts at Preiner Gscheid, leads up to the Habsburghaus, and then back to the Edelweißhütte via the Neue Seehütte and the Göbl-Kühn Trail.

safety instructions
Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a completely beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:
Make sure that the chosen route matches your mountain experience and fitness level. Check the weather forecast in advance. The weather in the mountains can change surprisingly quickly. Therefore always start properly equipped (e.g. rain gear).
Check if the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and planned return time before you set off.
In fog and strong wind, hiking on the high plateau is not recommended!
Equipment
Always bring appropriate hiking maps. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for the hike, and bring protection from the sun and rain, as well as water and a light snack. Bring your cell phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description
We begin the hike at Preiner Gscheid. Passing the Karl-Ludwig-Haus, we continue uphill to the Habsburghaus. From here, the trail leads over the Trinksteinsattel to the Neue Seehütte. From there, we hike down the Göbl-Kühn-Steig to the Waxriegelhaus. The final section takes us back to Preiner Gscheid along the forest road. Please do not cross the “old ski slope” or cut across the open terrain. Due to erosion damage, this section needs time to recover.
Parking
Parking is available at Preiner Gscheid.
Getting there
From Vienna, take the A2 Südautobahn to the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Continue on the B27 to Reichenau and on to Preiner Gscheid.
From Graz, take the S6 Semmering Expressway and exit at Gloggnitz. Continue on the B27 to Reichenau and then on to Preiner Gscheid.
Public transport
- Take the train to Payerbach-Reichenau station.
- Then take the Regional Bus 342 from Payerbach-Reichenau station to Preiner Gescheid or book a ride with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax (stop 132)
More information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at.
Editor’s tip
- Collect feelings of happiness - Collect hiking pins: Collect the "Hut Jumping Hiking Pin" during your hike from hut to hut.

Recommended period

Even more walkable variants:

Hut Jumping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1

Hut Jumping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1b

Hut Jumping on the Raxalpe - Variant 1c

Hut Jumping on the Raxalpe - Variant 2

Contact points: Rax cable car mountain inn, +43/2666/52450 Ottohaus, +43/2666/52402 New 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: 18 Sept 2026