Hike over the Schlangenweg to the Karl Ludwig House

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4,84 km
Ascent: 733 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! **** From Preiner Gscheid you can reach the Waxriegelhaus on the Rax in no time at all. From there, take the Schlangenweg trail to the Karl Ludwig Haus with its heavenly views!

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 Preiner Gscheid, the junction and starting point for many hiking trails on the Rax, is the start of this ascent. The route leads via hiking trails, the Siebenbrunnerwiese and the Schlangenweg up to the Raxplateau to the Karl Ludwig Haus, from where you can enjoy a great view of the Paradise of Scenic Views.

safety instructions Good PreparationFor hiking routes, careful planning is essential–the route must be well planned, and the weather conditions must be checked before starting each hike.For good surefootedness, choose appropriate footwear and adjust the pace to health conditions. Allow enough time for the route and take breaks regularly. Pack enough drinks and a snack in your hiking backpack.Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts; this minimizes disorientation, falls, and rockfall.In family hikes, adult responsibility for children is paramount. The playful discovery of the landscape must be undertaken with great consideration for the safety of the children.Respect the environment and the beauty of nature with its flora and fauna. Please do not throw trash in the landscape; take everything back home to dispose of it properly.8 Basic Rules on the Mountain
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

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

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026