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Tour Starting from Preiner Gscheid, Edelweißhütte
Snowshoe hike from Preiner Gscheid via the forest road to Waxriegelhaus
Snowshoe hike from Preiner Gscheid via the forest road to Waxriegelhaus
The Waxriegelhaus is located at the foot of the Rax at 1361 meters above sea level and is open all year round. The hut has a quiet, traffic-free and natural setting with forest and pasture. This pleasant atmosphere can also be enjoyed on the ascent from Preiner Gscheid. After just a few meters, however, you are surrounded by the tranquillity of the forest and reach the Waxriegelhaus in about an hour. Here, hikers can enjoy the in-house Waxriegel beer and various culinary delights, such as Styria beef specialties.
Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a completely enjoyable and safe experience.
Please observe the following:
Make sure when choosing the route that it matches your mountain experience and your fitness. Check the weather forecast in advance. Weather in the mountains can change unexpectedly fast. Therefore, always head out well equipped (sturdy footwear, winter hiking gear). Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and your planned return before you start. Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts. Do not litter and dispose of waste properly.
Note: this winter hiking trail may not be fully cleared in case of snow and can have slippery spots. Use at your own risk! Also consider that winter markings may be invisible under snow and prepare well for your hike! Pay attention to early dusk and plan tours carefully.
Mountain rescue: 140
EU emergency number: 112
Tours on the high plateau are not recommended in fog and strong winds.
Always take suitable maps with you. Wear shoes appropriate for the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and save the emergency number of the mountain rescue: 140
We start from the Edelweißhütte via the forest road to the Siebenbrunnerwiese. Then keep right and hike to the Waxriegelhaus.
Paid parking lot available at Preiner Gscheid.
From Vienna, take the A2 South Motorway onto the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, there take the third exit at the roundabout (Wartholzstraße). Turn left onto Edlach, slightly left onto Dörfl, continue on L135, continue on Prein an der Rax/L135, continue on Preinrotte, slightly right onto Prein an der Rax, continue onto Preiner Gscheid Street up to the mountain pass.
From Graz, take the S35 to 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 Street up to the mountain pass.
Travel by train to Payerbach-Reichenau station. In winter, no scheduled bus runs to Preiner Gscheid.
Alternatively, you can book an individual trip with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax, which takes you to the cable car.
RUFbus stops along the way:
More info: www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Tourism Association Semmering-Rax-Schneeberg, +43 660 900 88 22
Letzte Änderung: 20 May 2026