Hike to Jakobskogel (Rax)

Good preparation

• For hiking tours, careful planning is essential – the route must be well planned and the weather conditions checked before starting each hike.
• For good surefootedness, suitable footwear must be chosen and the pace adapted to health conditions. Enough time should be planned for the tour with regular breaks. Adequate drinks and a snack should be packed in the hiking backpack.
• Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts to minimize getting lost, falling, or rockfall.
• For family hikes, the responsibility for the children always lies with the adults. The playful discovery of the landscape must be done with great regard for the children’s safety.
• Respect for the environment and the beauty of nature with its flora and fauna must be maintained. Please do not throw any litter into the landscape but take everything back home to dispose of it there.

8 basic rules on the mountain

Always carry suitable maps. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate for the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Bring your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140

The route starts at the mountain station of the Rax cable car. The hike goes past the Gatterlkreuz towards the Ottohaus. At the so-called Praterstern, keep left and continue past the Ottohaus. Before the steeper ascent of the hike begins, you pass the "Ottohaus viewing platform". Now surefootedness is required, as the hike continues on rocky ground and through dwarf pines, up to the summit of the Kogel with the Freedom Cross at 1736 m. 

The hike can be retraced on the same path back to the starting point or continued towards the NeueSeehütte.

Parking spaces are available at the valley station of the Rax cable car.

From Vienna take the Southern Autobahn A2 to S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Reichenau an der Rax and continue to Hirschwang. 

From Graz take the S35 or A2 to the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Reichenau an der Rax and continue to Hirschwang. 

Take the Southern Railway to Payerbach-Reichenau. Between the Payerbach-Reichenau station and the valley station of the Rax cable car, the regional bus 341 runs. 

Arrive by Southern Railway at Payerbach-Reichenau station. 

Between the station and the valley station of the Rax cable car, regional bus 341 (www.vor.at) operates or you can book the RUFbus Semmering-Rax individually.

RUFbus stops:

Payerbach-Reichenau station (35)

Rax cable car (12)

It is recommended to take a detour to the Höllental viewpoint and try the hut delicacies at Ottohaus or the Raxalm mountain inn.