WAB - Stage 13: Reichenau/Payerbach - Knofeleben

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 12,06 km
Duration: 4:30 h
Ascent: 864 m elevation gain
Descent: 96 m elevation gain

The 13th stage of the Wiener Alpenbogen (WAB) trail is a wet and wild alpine mountain adventure. The first kilometers in the Höllental follow the Vienna water pipeline path; from Kaiserbrunn, the ascent towards Schneeberg begins, accompanied by steep mountain forest and rock faces.

Starting point of the tour: Reichenau, spa park/Payerbach
Tour destination: Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 12,06 km
Duration: 4:30 h
Ascent: 864 m elevation gain
Descent: 96 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point483 m
Highest point1257 m

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Description

The first Schneeberg stage starting in Payerbach or Reichenau goes over Kaiserbrunn and the Miesleitensteig uphill to the Naturfreundehaus. Knofeleben gets its name because plenty of wild garlic (which tastes like "Knofel" = garlic) grows in this area. From a landscape and hiking perspective, this section is an alpine mountain adventure: rushing water, steep mountain forest, rock walls, climbing facilities, remoteness. It prepares for climbing the highest mountain in the region.

safety instructions Safe hiking in the mountainsYour hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:PreparationMake sure when choosing your route that it corresponds to your mountain experience and your fitness. Inform yourself in advance about the weather forecast. The weather in the mountains can change surprisingly quickly. Always start properly equipped (e.g., rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit along the way are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and planned return before you set off.
Equipment Mountain-appropriate equipment absolutely required!Please note that this route leads into high alpine terrain. Always take suitable maps with you. Wear shoes appropriate for the route, take sun and rain protection, water, and a snack. Bring your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description From Payerbach-Reichenau station:We walk past the bus stops at the station and turn right into Bahnhofweg. Again, we turn right and follow Bahnhofstraße to Payerbacherhof and cross the main road at the zebra crossing. We cross the Schwarza and turn right before the Alber confectionery, walk past the pavilion and the outdoor pool along the Schwarza, passing under a railway viaduct. At the parking lot, we turn right toward the main road and turn left into the town center of the festival town Reichenau an der Rax.From Reichenau:We walk along the main road for about 15 minutes, past the spa park to Erlangerpark, a small park designed as a traffic island. Here we keep right and cross the Schwarza to Reichenau Castle. In front of the remarkable castle, first mentioned in the 13th century, we turn left into Haabergstraße and follow the path alongside the tracks of the Höllentalbahn for some time. We are also already on the water pipeline path here, which we continue to follow through the Höllental. At Hirschwang stop, we cross two railway tracks on the left, follow the asphalt road, and turn right at the next intersection. Follow the road here; at the main road, turn right, walk past the cardboard factory, and leave the parking lot to the water pipeline path on the left. Shortly after the water pipeline path sign, we leave the road and turn to the 1st Vienna water pipeline path towards Kaiserbrunn, which was established in 1998 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Vienna high-source water pipeline. Occasionally, there are short sections on metal grates, where dogs especially need to watch their paws. Characteristic of the water pipeline path is the almost constant up and down, the sufficient resting places beside the path, and the alternating proximity to water and rock. Well signposted, the path leads us to the B27, which we cross and continue walking on the hiking path on the opposite side. Over the bridge, we continue and now climb several meters uphill. Some downhill switchbacks lead us back to the road, which we follow briefly along a gravel path and then can cross to the right side of the road after a few meters to continue on the hiking path. Passing the open-air dripstone cave, the sprayed concrete cave, we reach the road again in less than ten minutes and walk along the gravel path to the Kaiserbrunn campsite, past the Schnepfkapelle to the Kaiserbrunn inn. There is also a bus stop here. Then we continue to the water pipeline museum (open Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), where we can refill our water supply with fresh water. We follow the marked path initially downhill but soon turn to the signposted Miesleitensteig. Time and again, wonderful views open up of the Wasserofen and Schneeberg. At a steep scree slope, be cautious of falling rocks; steel cables assist with the ascent. Shortly, at the marked path, we reach the forest road, which leads us to the left to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben – formerly Friedrich-Haller-Haus – opened in 2012. Known as the "brightest hut in the Alps," it ranked first among walkable huts in 2014.
Parking Parking is available in Reichenau around the municipal office and next to the spa park.
Getting there Coming from Vienna, take the A2 to the Seebenstein interchange, then continue on the S6 to the Gloggnitz exit. Follow the B27 to Reichenau.Coming from Graz, first take the S35, then the S6 to the Gloggnitz exit. Continue on the B27 to Reichenau.
Public transport Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Payerbach-Reichenau station. Take regional bus 1748 to the stop Reichenau/Rax Kurtheater.More information can be found at www.oebb.at
Editor’s tip For overnight stays, you can find Hotel Marienhof in Hirschwang or Hotel Payerbacherhof in Payerbach.Don't forget to take the Vienna Alps Viewer in a handy format with you on the route!

Recommended period

Also explore the connecting routes:

WAB - Stage 12: Habsburghaus - Reichenau

WAB - Stage 14: Knofeleben - Edelweißhütte

WAB - Regional Route J: Payerbach - Waldburgangerhütte - Knofeleben

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

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026