Hiking to the Habsburghaus (from Preiner Gscheid)

©Niederösterreich Werbung/Franziska Consolati

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8,31 km
Ascent: 763 m elevation gain
Descent: 52 m elevation gain

***** Attention: Renaturation work is taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Please use the forest road for the ascent!! **** The Preiner Gscheid pass height is an ideal starting point for hikes on the Rax. The ascent to the Habsburghaus leads us over the Schlangenweg and the trail at the Vienna Alpine Arc.

Starting point of the tour: Preiner Gscheid
Tour destination: Habsburghaus on the Rax

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8,31 km
Ascent: 763 m elevation gain
Descent: 52 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point1068 m
Highest point1792 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Suitable for families and children

Downloads

gpx_addressbase_17269
(GPX)

Description

Between Lower Austria and Styria at the Preiner Gscheid pass height parallel to the Semmering Pass begins the ascent to the Habsburghaus. The Preiner Gscheid is a junction and starting point for several hiking trails. Our path first leads through quiet mountain forests; here a detour to the Waxrieglehaus is still possible. Then it goes through mountainous terrain via the Schlangenweg - which justifies its name - to the Rax Alpine plateau. We are now already on the Trail at the Vienna Alpine Arc and have the option to stop at the Karl-Ludwig-Haus (currently closed!) before continuing. The mountain hiking trail finally leads us to our goal - the Habsburghaus. The mountain hut is also called the “Acropolis of the Rax” because of its summit location on the Grieskogel. Located at an altitude of 1,785 m on the Raxalpe near the Styrian border, visitors are offered a magnificent view of Schneealpe, Ötscher and Hochschwab. The Habsburghaus offers a large dining room with panoramic windows and a cozy seating area by the stove, and even a library where you can find mountain literature, novels and children’s books. For refreshment there is regional home cooking.

Please check the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before starting your route!

Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description Take the forest road for the ascent up to Siebenbrunnerwiese. From here we are on the Trail at the Vienna Alpine Arc and can follow the yellow signs with the blue Vienna Alpine logo. The path leads us via the Schlangenweg (marked in red) up to the Habsburghaus.
Parking Parking lot available at Edelweißhütte/Preiner Gscheid.
Getting there From Vienna, take the South Motorway A2 onto the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, take the third exit (Wartholzstraße) at the roundabout. Turn left to Edlach, then slightly left to Dörfl, continue on L135, continue towards Prein an der Rax/L135, continue to Preinrotte, then slightly right to Prein an der Rax, continue on Preiner Gscheid Str. to the pass height. From Graz, take the S35 onto the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Mürzzuschlag-West exit. Continue on B23. Take the first exit at the roundabout to stay on B23. Turn right onto Hauptstraße, continue on Stojenstraße. Continue on Preiner Gscheid Str. to the pass height.
Public transport Take the regional train towards Payerbach-Reichenau from Vienna via Wiener Neustadt to the final station. Take a taxi to Edelweißhütte/parking lot/Preiner Gscheid or the regional bus 1748 (direction: Prein/Rax Gh Oberer Eggl) to the Edelweißhütte, Preiner Gscheid stop. Further information at www.oebb.at or www.vor.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with a stay at the Wellness Seminar Hotel Raxalpenhof**** and pamper yourself. Bookable packages can be found here. Don't forget to take the Vienna Alpine Viewer in a handy format with you on the route!Please check the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before starting your route!

Recommended period

Current weather in Prein an der Rax

1° to 3°

Today, 12.02.2026

Light rain shower

Wind speed3,8 km/h

0° to 3°

Tomorrow, 13.02.2026

Moderate snow shower

Wind speed5,3 km/h

Further info:

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

Habsburghaus, habsburghaus.gebirgsverein.at, www.raxalpe.com