Hut hopping on the Raxalpe (variant 2)

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,90 km
Ascent: 327 m elevation gain
Descent: 327 m elevation gain

Rax huts round tour from the Berggasthof, via the Ottohaus and to the Neue Seehut. Return to the starting point via the Preinerwand cross.

Starting point of the tour: Hirschwang an der Rax, valley station Rax cable car
Tour destination: Raxalpen mountain inn, mountain station Rax cable car

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,90 km
Ascent: 327 m elevation gain
Descent: 327 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point1539 m
Highest point1778 m

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

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Description

The Rax Areal Ropeway, Austria's oldest cable car, which started operating in 1926, takes you up the mountain. The Ottohauswhich is the first of the huts to be reached after the summit station, has a special feature: a 4000m² alpine garden with around 200 alpine plants typical of the region. The next stop, the lake hutowes its name to a small lake which seeped away shortly after the First World War. Without having to overcome any great difficulties, you "hop" from hut to hut on the Rax. This variant of the popular Rax hiking trail is also suitable for families due to the shorter distance. However, you should be in good physical condition!

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a completely beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore note the following:PreparationMake sure when choosing the route that it matches your mountain experience and your fitness. Inform yourself in advance about the weather report. Weather in the mountains can change surprisingly quickly. Therefore, always start equipped accordingly (e.g. rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about the choice of route and your planned return before you set off.In fog and strong wind, tours on the high plateau are not recommended!
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 and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description The starting point is the Rax cable car. It takes us in a few minutes to the mountain station at an altitude of 1547 m. From the mountain station of the cable car, we follow the red marking to the Gatterlkreuz and further to the Ottohaus. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the first hut on this route, overcoming 100 meters of altitude. Then it goes leisurely along the lake path to the New Seehütte, located in a hollow. The way back leads past the Preiner Wand cross and above the well-known climbing paradise Preiner Wand through dwarf pine along the ridge path to the Ottohaus. Anyone who wants to add a summit can climb the Jakobskogel (1737m) located next to the Ottohaus. Then from the Ottohaus as usual back to the mountain station.
Parking Parking spaces are available at the valley station of the Rax cable car.
Getting there A2 to junction Seebenstein - S6 to Gloggnitz - B27 to Hirschwang an der Rax, valley station Rax cable car (at the edge of Hirschwang)
Public transport Arrival:Take the Southern Railway to Payerbach-Reichenau. Between Payerbach-Reichenau station and the valley station of the Rax cable car, buses (line 341) run regularly or book the Semmering-Rax demand bus to the starting point.Stop: 12 Rax cable carDeparture:Take the regional bus 342 back to Payerbach-Reichenau station or the Semmering-Rax demand bus.Stop: 132 Preiner GscheidFind more information and timetables at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with an overnight stay at the Raxalpen mountain inn, right at the mountain station of the Rax cable car!Collect feelings of happiness - Collect hiking badges: Collect the "hut hopping" hiking badge during your hike from hut to hut.

Recommended period

More hikeable variants:

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - variant 1

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - variant 1b

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - variant 1c

Hut hopping on the Raxalpe - variant 3

Bases:
Rax cable car mountain inn, +43/2666/52450
Ottohaus, +43/2666/52402
New Seehütte, +43/676/7488719

More info:

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

Tourism office Reichenau, www.reichenau.at, +43 / 2666 / 52865

Raxalpe, , +43 / 2666 / 52497

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026