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Hiking tour Starting from Preiner Gscheid
***** Attention: Renaturation work is taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Therefore, please use the ascent via the forest road! **** The Preiner Gscheid pass is an ideal starting point for hikes on the Rax. The ascent to the Habsburghaus takes us via the Schlangenweg trail and the path along the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail).
***** Attention: Renaturation work is taking place on the path between Preiner Gscheid and Waxriegelhaus. Therefore, please use the ascent via the forest road! **** The Preiner Gscheid pass is an ideal starting point for hikes on the Rax. The ascent to the Habsburghaus takes us via the Schlangenweg trail and the path along the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail).
The ascent to the Habsburghaus begins between Lower Austria and Styria at the top of the Preiner Gscheid pass, parallel to the Semmering Pass. The Preiner Gscheid is the junction and starting point of several hiking trails. Our route first leads through peaceful mountain forests, where a detour to the Waxrieglehaus is possible. Then it goes through mountainous terrain via the Schlangenweg trail - which lives up to its name - onto the Raxalpenplateau. We are now already on the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps trail and have the opportunity to stop for refreshments at the Karl-Ludwig-Haus (currently closed!) before continuing on. The mountain hiking trail finally leads us to our destination - the Habsburghaus. The mountain hut is also known as the "Acropolis of the Rax" due to its location on the summit of the Grieskogel. Situated at an altitude of 1,785 m on the Raxalpe just on the Styrian border, it offers visitors a magnificent view of the Schneealpe, Ötscher and Hochschwab. The Habsburghaus has a large dining room with panoramic windows and a cozy seating area by the stove and even a library with mountain literature, novels and children's books. Regional home cooking is available for refreshment.
Please enquire about the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before starting your tour!
Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be an all-round beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:
Preparation
Make sure when choosing the route that it suits your experience and fitness. Check the weather report in advance. Weather in the mountains can change surprisingly quickly. Therefore always set out equipped accordingly (e.g. rain protection).
Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit en route are open. Inform someone about your choice of route and your planned return before you set off.
Further safety tips for your hike can be found here.
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
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 lot available at Edelweißhütte/Preiner Gscheid.
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.
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
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!
Further info:
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Habsburghaus, habsburghaus.gebirgsverein.at, www.raxalpe.com
Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026