WAB - Stage 12: Habsburghaus - Reichenau/Payerbach

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 15,41 km
Duration: 5:15 h
Ascent: 298 m elevation gain
Descent: 1589 m elevation gain

The 12th stage of the route on the Vienna Alpine Arc (WAB) is accompanied by alpine grass, larches, and rugged yet safe terrain. A wonderful plateau hike with moderate ascents and descents. The way down to the valley can be shortened using the Rax cable car. NOTE: Please check the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before starting your route!

Starting point of the tour: Habsburghaus
Tour destination: Reichenau an der Rax/Payerbach, train station

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 15,41 km
Duration: 5:15 h
Ascent: 298 m elevation gain
Descent: 1589 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point484 m
Highest point1891 m

With refreshment stops

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Description

Starting from the Habsburghaus, the stage runs mostly on natural hiking trails, paths, and tracks over the Trinksteinsattel, the Hohe Kanzel, the Jakobskogel, and leads steeply then more gently down from the Ottohaus to Hirschwang, Reichenau, and Payerbach. Along the entire route, breathtaking panoramas offer themselves, and from halfway down the descent, great views of villas and the Wartholz castle gardens can be seen.

It is possible to descend from the Ottohaus not on foot but continue to the Rax cable car and manage the descent with the cable car. Upon arrival below, follow the water pipeline path to Reichenau.

Please check the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before setting out on your tour!

Equipment Mountain-appropriate equipment is absolutely necessary!Please note that this route leads into high alpine terrain. Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone and save the emergency number of the mountain rescue: 140
Route description We start the stage across the Rax plateau from the Habsburghaus, following trail number 44 towards the Seehütte and Rax cable car. We pass the Jahnkreuz and stroll through larch paths to the Trinksteinsattel near the mountain rescue hut. In case of emergency, shelter can be found in the hut. We ascend 200 meters in altitude to the Neue Seehütte and then descend to the viewpoint. Again, we climb with magnificent views to the ridge path and the Preinerwand cross. The blue-marked ridge path to the Otto Shelter is more scenic but partly a bit narrower, yet not exposed. Alternatively, the red-marked lake trail offers a crossing to the Otto Shelter. We cross the terrace at the Otto Shelter and walk in a long right curve to the visible Törl, where we begin the descent on the Törl path. The scenic but not exposed Törl path leads us down some switchbacks. Further below, we follow the signposts to Hirschwang and Edlach and pass the Lammelbründl. We descend to the Knappenhof and continue downhill on a meadow path to the left of it. After a few minutes, we reach a trail junction where we turn left towards Hirschwang but after a few meters switch right to the red-marked hiking trail towards Hirschwang-Erlanger cross.The forest path ends in an asphalt road that leads us to residential houses. We turn right into Trautenbergstraße and then turn right at the federal road towards Reichenau. After half an hour, we reach the town center of Reichenau.For the onward route to Payerbach:Shortly after the Reichenau spa theater, turn right into a parking lot. We cross the parking lot and turn left onto the promenade path beside the Schwarza river. At the viaduct, we encounter a road again and follow it toward the center. Passing the outdoor pool and pavilion, we shortly afterwards turn left over the Schwarza bridge and cross the federal road. The last meters are uphill on Bahnhofweg to the Payerbach-Reichenau train station.
Parking Parking is available at the Raxalpenhof in Prein and at the base station of the Rax cable car.
Getting there The Habsburghaus is located in alpine terrain and only accessible on foot directly. Use the access option of the preceding stage Prein-Habsburghaus.
Public transport The Habsburghaus is located in alpine terrain and is not directly accessible by public transport. It is recommended to combine this route with the preceding stage Prein-Habsburghaus or the subsequent stage Reichenau-Knofeleben. Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to the Payerbach/Reichenau train station, then continue by regional bus 1746 or 1748 to the Rax cable car and take the cable car up to the Rax.More information can be found at www.oebb.at and www.raxalpe.com
Editor’s tip Please check the current opening hours of the Habsburghaus here before starting your route!

Recommended period

Current weather on site

1° to 3°

Today, 04.03.2026

Mainly clear

Wind speed1,3 km/h

1° to 8°

Tomorrow, 05.03.2026

Mainly clear

Wind speed1,8 km/h

Also explore the connecting routes:

WAB - Stage 11: Prein - Habsburghaus

WAB - Stage 13: Reichenau - Knofeleben

WAB - Regional Route J: Payerbach - Waldburgangerhütte - Knofeleben

WAB - Regional Route N: Preintal - Habsburghaus

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Tourism office Reichenau an der Rax, www.reichenau.at, +43 / 2666 / 52206 25
Rax cable car, www.raxalpe.com, +43 / 2666 / 52497

Here you will also find the timetable of the Rax cable car.

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026