Nature Friends' house Knofeleben via Payerbach-Reichenau

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6,09 km
Ascent: 765 m elevation gain

Directly from Payerbach station, this beautiful mountain route goes over the Mitterberggraben to the Nature Friends' hut Knofeleben, situated at 1250 m altitude (formerly Friedrich Haller House).

Starting point of the tour: Payerbach station
Tour destination: Nature Friends' house Knofeleben

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6,09 km
Ascent: 765 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point487 m
Highest point1253 m

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

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Description

The hiking trail to the Nature Friends' hut Knofeleben is without major difficulties. All paths are secured and the approximately 6 km long route can be comfortably managed in two and a half hours. The Payerbach station as a starting point offers the opportunity for an excursion to the World Heritage town with an outdoor pool, the gothic fortified church, and many culinary destinations. The historic station building is protected as a monument, and from here also starts the narrow-gauge Höllentalbahn railway to the Rax.

On the hiking trail, we again move in the direction of Schneeberg. On the Gahns, a spur mountain of Schneeberg, lies the Nature Friends' hut Knofeleben, which was awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal in 2014. And rightly so! Besides modern architecture, the hut also offers some culinary delights. The Nature Friends' house is also a stage destination on the Vienna Alpine Arc; from here, one can continue hiking to the Edelweiß hut at Schneeberg or to Kaiserbrunn in the Höllental.

Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description From the station square, turn right into Baurat-Schneider-Gasse. Then keep left to reach a hiking trail leading to Schneedörfl. Follow Scheebergweg for 600 m and then turn right onto a gravel road. This path leads straight onto a trail; at the next T-junction, turn left. Now follow the path which leads to a hairpin bend, and at the next fork, turn left. Continue following the trail until it leads to a hiking trail. Now keep right, and at the fork, immediately turn left onto a path. This leads to a paved road. The destination is almost reached; turn left once more and after 200 m you will arrive at the Nature Friends' house.
Parking Parking available at the station.
Getting there From Vienna, drive via the A2 South Motorway to the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Payerbach.From Graz, drive via the S35 or A2 to the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Payerbach.
Public transport Arrive by train at Payerbach-Reichenau stop. The route starts directly at the station. RUFbus stops along the way:35 Payerbach station27 Hiking entry Knofeleben/Schneedörfl28 Waldschlössl-Schneedörfl

Recommended period

Current weather in Payerbach

1° to 9°

Today, 12.02.2026

Cloudy

Wind speed2,5 km/h

0° to 9°

Tomorrow, 13.02.2026

Cloudy

Wind speed4,0 km/h

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

Hut opening hours