We’ve recommended the hike to Jubiläumsaussicht many times – this week I tested it twice to see if you can rise above the fog. Both times, I was lucky. 🌫🌅
Fog is a rare visitor here in Reichenau – maybe because of all the wind. But growing up in Veszprém (Hungary), I still wait for those foggy November mornings with a childlike excitement, when the Rax disappears from view or the valley wraps itself in a soft mist by late afternoon.
It was 2021. Chris’s dad was visiting us, which kept Leno fully occupied – so I took the chance to head out for a quiet morning run.
I started on the path next to the Waldschlössl, turned right by the new bee hotel under construction, and cut through a short forest section instead of following the paved road. At Hochberger, the surrounding mountains began to emerge, though the hills were still cloaked in thick mist. From there, it was about 25 minutes of brisk walking to the lookout, where the first rays of sunlight gently broke through the fog – a true gift of the weather.
On the way back, I followed the yellow trail: a bit further up the blue path, then left onto the tractor road, and after about half a kilometer, I was back on familiar trails heading home to the Waldschlössl.
If you ever want to experience the peaceful silence of the fog and the slow awakening of the hills, we wholeheartedly recommend this route – short, varied, and full of surprises in every season. 🏞🍂
This time we did a brisk, scenic loop hike starting from Waldschlössl:
Jubiläumsaussicht – Waldburgangerhütte – Schedwiese, then back to the start.
The Waldburgangerhütte is open on weekends and public holidays from May 1 to June 30 and September 1 to October 26 – perfect for a well-earned rest and some refreshments at the top.
There are several ways to reach the hut from Waldschlössl – we followed the blue trail uphill. The Jubiläumsaussicht offers beautiful panoramic views. On the way back, we took the yellow-marked pathvia the Schedwiese, a wide meadow with scenic vistas. If the hiking trail feels too steep, you can switch to the forest road and take the serpentine route down.
📍 Distance: 9.3 km
⛰ Elevation gain: approx. 700 m
⏱ Duration: 2:20 hours
Route: Waldschlössl – Jubiläumsaussicht (blue trail) – Waldburgangerhütte – Schedwiese (yellow trail) – back to Waldschlössl
A great weekend outing – even with kids, if you adjust the pace to fit the youngest hikers.
How do you plan a hiking day with a baby carrier and as little gear as possible?
Simple: First, you write a list of the essentials. Then you head out – and leave the list at home. From that point on, all you really need is one thing: improvisation. (Sometimes in very literal ways – like sliding down snow. Without a sled. But we’ll get to that later.)
⸻
At 8:05 a.m., just 200 meters from the Waldschlössl, our neighbor Regina asked me:
– “Are you heading up to Marco today?”
And I honestly didn’t even know yet if we’d make it to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben.
The route? A Sunday classic: through the Eng, then instead of taking the Mitterberggraben turnoff, we went right toward the Lackabodengraben and continued on the trail toward Krummbachstein.
At the Krummbachsattel, the question arose:
➡️ Should we keep going toward the Schneeberg?
Or
☀️ Stay near Knofeleben, take it easy and enjoy a proper break?
Well:
👶 The baby was asleep.
🌞 The sun was shining.
🌡 The temperature was perfect.
🕙 And it was only 10:00 a.m.
So, we kept going.
⸻
At the ruins of Baumgartnerhaus (10:45), L2 woke up. We found a wind-sheltered spot with some shade and had a quick snack break (🤱🏼).
15 minutes later: another stop – L2 was still not fully on board (🤱🏼). Since I wasn’t sure if the last cogwheel train really left at 3:15 p.m., there wasn’t much room for hesitation. We had to move.
The next stretch was steep and rocky – L2 was not impressed. But after five minutes of mild protest, he fell back asleep. By exactly 12:00 noon, we made it to the top – and I was honestly just relieved we’d made it past that section.
What followed was just a pleasant walk to the Klosterwappen (1:05 p.m.). Truly pleasant. Until we hit a small patch of snow (or rather, ice) just below the Fischerhütte. L2 woke up again – and made it very clear he would prefer to keep sleeping. With curious hikers watching, a slippery path ahead, and the decision came quickly: Sit down in the snow, grab the rope – and slide. Well, I slid. On my butt. L2 screamed. Two minutes later: back asleep. Win.
⸻
All the planned stops (Damböckhaus, Fischerhütte, and Damböckhaus again) were skipped – L2 was sleeping too deeply. And just like that, we found ourselves at the final station of the Schneebergbahn at 2:05 p.m.
⸻
On the train, no one guessed that we hadn’t just hiked down from the Klosterwappen –but had walked the whole way from Reichenau, with baby carrier and all. By 3:00 p.m., we were already waiting in Puchberg for the replacement bus.
I’d love to say that the last walk from Payerbachback to the Waldschlössl was the perfect end to the day – but honestly, those last 90 vertical meters felt more like crawling and silent mantras than hiking, especially three months postpartum. L2? Blissfully napping again.
⸻
📍 Route:
Waldschlössl – Eng – Lackabodengraben – Krummbachsattel – Klosterwappen – Fischerhütte – Damböckhaus – Hochschneeberg mountain station
📏 16.7 km
📈 1,650 m ascent
📉 400 m descent
🕒 6 hours (including two short breaks)
👶 1 baby in the front carrier, backpack in the back
A new favorite phrase has quietly made its way into our vocabulary: semi-optimal. We learned it from Anne. And honestly, few things have ever described a trail run quite so perfectly.
The plan: our classic Sonnwendstein route – but backwards. Starting from Waldschlössl, passing through Payerbach, Küb, Schottwien, and Maria Schutz, then climbing the Gebirgsjägersteig, crossing the Sonnwendstein, and finally descending into Semmering. And maybe – just maybe – we thought about running all the way home from there. Theoretically.
Motivation? On holiday today. Probably hanging out somewhere on the Rax. Or at Katja’s. Each of us had at least one excellent excuse why we didn’t really have to do this today. And as for running back from Semmering – well, we happily skipped that part.
In reality, it all ended in the Kaffeehalle. Which honestly was no bad place to end up: excellent coffee, panoramic views, and that comforting feeling of having made one good decision – namely, taking the train. For that cappuccino, we could have climbed another 400 vertical meters. But we didn’t.
Semi-optimal – but with (vegan) milk foam.
The Sonnwendstein? Conquered again – and once again we decided to avoid it for a while. That trail stretches like chewing gum, and by the seventh tree root you start thinking: if we’re climbing this much, why not just head straight to the Rax? 😅
“At this point, only a helicopter or mountain rescue could get us down,” Chris muttered as we made our way up to the Heukuppe. The kids, snugly bundled in the hiking carrier and wrap, seemed to sense that this wasn’t the time for wild adventures. They just kept sleeping. And honestly, that was for the best.
We had planned a cozy family hike to the Heukuppe, the highest point of the Rax range. And well—cozy is a matter of perspective.
The Reisstalersteig quickly took us into alpine terrain. Chris murmured, “Hmm, I remember this differently…”—possibly because he’d filed away the short via ferrata under easy, back in his child-free, Carinthian hiking days. Technically, it’s not particularly difficult, but it does require sure-footedness, especially at the start, with a steep section and later, two ladders.
We were well-prepared for the weather—an oversized rain jacket for L2 and Z, a rain cover for the child carrier, warm layers—but the thickening fog and gusty wind still made things uncomfortable.
Leno, not yet three years old at the time (June 2023), climbed more than 300 vertical meters on his own—with great pride and determined little steps. It took us about 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach the Heukuppe with both kids.
We took a longer rest at the Karl-Ludwig-Haus—though not inside, since the hut was closed at the time. We sat in the winter room, ate our packed snacks, breastfed the littlest one, and recharged for the descent.
→ Update 2025: The Karl-Ludwig-Haus is now open again!
The way down via the Schlangenweg to the Waxriegelhaus was much more pleasant—solid footing, wind-sheltered, and the rain finally began to let up. That part took about 2 hours, then another 30 minutes back to the Preiner Gscheid.
Some days go exactly as planned. Others… don’t. Today, we wanted to head to Prigglitz, but with some luggage to sort, a changeover in the guesthouse, and a well-deserved load of laundry, the day got away from us. So we started later than expected and changed our destination: Grillenberg it was – and we’re so glad we did!
Reichenau is known for its beautiful, sunny days, but even here, November can bring a fair share of fog. The good news? You can still find the sun – you just have to go a bit higher!
Before heading out, check the live webcam of the Rax Seilbahn to see if the mountain is bathing in sunshine. If it is, grab your gear and head up! The easiest way is to take the seilbahn, but for those who like a bit of a challenge, the hike up is well worth the effort.
Getting There
From the first weekend of November, the bus only runs as far as Bertha-Heller-Straße. From this stop, you can hike up to Griessleiten and follow the yellow trail to the Waxriegelhaus. This route winds through smaller forest paths and wider forststrassen, gradually pulling you above the mist into the clear mountain air.
(A Little Extra Adventure
If you’re in the mood for more hiking, consider making a detour up to the Siebenbrunnenwiese and through the Karlgraben. This scenic route offers a bit of a workout, but the views are worth every step. Eventually, you can loop back to the Waxriegelhaus, where you can rest and refuel.)
Refuel and Recharge
At the Waxriegelhaus, Martin, the welcoming Wirt, will have just the right thing to recharge your energy – hearty food, refreshing drinks, and a warm mountain atmosphere. There’s something special about enjoying a meal above the fog, with the sun warming your face and the panoramic views stretching out before you.
Heading Back Down
For the descent, you can take the Helenenquelle trail and follow the Rettenbachgraben back to the bus stop or take the more direct route down from the Waxriegelhaus, as marked on the map.
So, if the November fog has you feeling a bit low, remember – the sun isn’t gone, it’s just a little higher up. Happy hiking! 🌞🗻
We made the most of the sunny weather and set off on a short but stunning hike with our visitors! Just a 15-20 minute drive brought us to Orthof, where we started our journey to the Luckerte Wand and continued to the Gaiskirche, a charming little chapel tucked away in the forest.
The trail is varied but easy to navigate, and the views make every step worthwhile! If you’re looking for a relatively short yet impressive hike in the area, this one’s a perfect choice. ⛰️🌲
Perfect for anyone training for the Vienna Business Run (😋) or just looking for a relaxed, relatively flat 4.2 km route nearby – or even a peaceful nature walk. The Talhof Loop is a great choice in (almost) any weather and can even be tackled with a sturdy, off-road stroller.
Forget brunch – this Mother’s Day, we decided to conquer the Rax. We kicked off our adventure at the parking lot by the main road, strapped on our backpacks, and hit the Rudolfsteig. Just 3 kilometers in, and we’d already climbed 850 meters. Anne’s smile might not have been entirely genuine on some of the more exposed sections, but who could blame her? The views made it all worth it.
The trail continued steeply through the forest, and after around 4 kilometers and 1100 meters of climbing, we reached the Gloggnitzer Hütte – the perfect spot for a quick breather and a warm elderflower drink.
For the descent, we opted for the faster route: a wide forest road through Hirschtal and on into the Kleine Höllental.
17 kilometers with 1200 meters of elevation gain in just 4 hours – the official time to the hut alone is 4.5 hours. Now that’s a Mother’s Day we can get behind – powerful, together, and packed with altitude.
Höllental Parkplatz – Rudolfsteig – Gloggnitzer Hütte – Großer Kesselgraben – Hirschtal – Kleines Höllental (forest road) and back
“Good morning. Just a heads-up: we’ve got no water in the entire house this morning. Haven’t had my coffee yet 🤪” – that’s how Anne’s day started.
For us, the mission was clear: Speckbacherhütte, as quickly as possible! Just after 9 a.m., we finally had that much-needed first coffee in hand – and the world felt right again.
Four ladies, fresh mountain air, a beautifully sunny day, and a trail that took us from the Waldschlössl, over the Stojerhöhe, up to the Speckbacherhütte, and then back down through Mayerhöfen and Reichenau. It was still cool and crisp in the valley, but warm and sunny at the top – perfect for taking deep breaths and stretching the legs.
On the final climb, we picked up the pace a bit, making it (well, almost) back home by 10:30 a.m., just in time to take over the kids, so Christian could start his workday.
A trailrun with 14 kilometers and 740 meters of elevation in 2 hours and 20 minutes – a perfect start to the weekend.
“A 30 km loop with 1,500 meters of elevation gain, ideally with three 500-meter climbs – can you be our guide for that?” Egon asked me a few weeks ago.
“Sure,” I said. “We’ll just squeeze in a couple of coffee breaks—then you’ll get your three climbs.”
“Let’s keep it focused,” Egon added. “The goal is to finish in under six hours.”
Challenge accepted.
That was the simple plan. It was surprisingly crisp when I stood in front of the Waldschlössl at 7:15 a.m.—but the slight tingle in my legs told me: today would be something special.
By 8:30, we were already at the top of the first climb (700 m gain). Egon grinned, clearly pleased. I took a five-minute break—almost mandatory according to my training plan. That morning, the apple juice with hot water at the Knofeleben mountain hut tasted like a holiday drink. Cheers to that!
Since moving to Austria, I sometimes forget that in Hungary, we celebrate name days. But honestly—what better way to spend it than out on the trails with someone like Egon? A trail expert, running buddy, and all-around motivator.
He was the one who introduced me to trail running—before we even moved to Reichenau—after I got into ultrarunning through him. And today, he showed me something new again: how to use trail poles properly (thanks, Anne!) and how to run downhill efficiently.
By the end, my watch showed 29.7 km and 1,770 meters of elevation gain in 5:45, including breaks—featuring (more or less) three solid, rewarding climbs.
A name day morning filled with views, apple juice, trail running, two summit crosses, lots of laughs, new skills—and one (or rather two) big smiles. And the sense of being exactly where I’m meant to be.
Last week, we took advantage of the beautiful spring weather and headed to the Waxriegelhaus. A special thanks to our wonderful neighbor, who not only kept us company but also made Leno’s midday nap possible – carrying a child on your back is no small feat! ❤️
We started at the Preiner Gscheid, sitting at 1,070 meters, just a 20-minute drive from our place, though it’s also accessible by bus from spring to autumn. From here, you have a few options for reaching the Waxriegelhaus: • The longer, more gradual tractor path: about 3.5 km one way, with 300 to 350 meters of elevation gain – perfect for a steady hike. • The steeper, shorter route: around 1.5 km one way, with the same elevation gain, for those who like a bit of a challenge.
Despite the usual snow at this altitude, we were lucky to enjoy bright sunshine, breathtaking views over a sea of fog, and a fantastic lentil stew at the Waxriegelhaus as a reward.
We took about 1.5 hours for the 3.8 km round trip, including a short nap break for Leno on the way up. On the way down, we had to pick up the pace to keep up with our little “express train,” who decided to tackle the whole descent on foot.
It’s an ideal short hike for families, and if there’s enough snow, it’s even perfect for a sled ride back down. On clear days, you can also continue up to the Rax peaks for even more spectacular views.
If the weather isn’t on your side, there’s still plenty to discover around Waldschlössl! A great rainy day option: the Grillenberg Show Mine.
About 5.5 km there and back, with 200 meters of elevation – perfect for a short trail run or a walk with kids! The path along the Sun Promenade offers double the reward: fresh air and an underground adventure. In the former iron ore mine, you’ll learn all about Austria’s geological treasures in small, personalized tours – with informative displays making the experience even more enjoyable.
Tip: Tours are only available by prior reservation!
I always get a kick out of overhearing Hungarian hikers on the Rax. They tend to assume they’re the only ones around who understand their conversations: “Of course, my kids sleep in the car, but these Austrians seem to do things differently…”
But let’s start from the beginning. I’ve owed you this trip report for about two months now, but with another round of Rax-loving guests arriving tomorrow, I finally found the motivation to write it up.
When Zsófi visited us in June, we knew we had to take her on a proper Rax adventure – you know, something for the memory bank. 😉
We set off on a sunny June morning (Zsófi and L) and a bit later in the day (Zita and L2), heading down to the train station in Payerbach. From there, we took a bus to the Preiner Gscheid, where our hike started about 30 minutes later. (And by the way, if you can decipher the bus timetable, you deserve a 10% discount on your next booking – here’s the challenge: Timetable.)
The lower sections of the Reisstalersteig and the Gretchensteig share the same path almost all the way to the Reisstalerhütte. Just before you reach the hut, a steep trail branches off to the right, offering fantastic views – at least until you’re swallowed up by the forest again. This is where Zsófi and L took a quick break, and I, driven by the motto “anything for a peaceful nap”, pushed on with L2. This stretch eventually leads up to the Gretchensteig itself. Just before the actual via ferrata, there’s a rocky section, which, if you ask me, is trickier than the secured climbing passage that follows – but I’ll let everyone judge that for themselves.
“Wait, is that a kid up there?!” “Hey, that’s a woman! Where’s her husband? Probably at home mowing the lawn.” “No way she’s making it up there. We barely managed to come down. There’s got to be another way.” “Of course, my kids sleep in the car, but these Austrians seem to do things differently…”
As the Hungarian group (decked out in full via ferrata gear) slowly picked their way down what they clearly considered “challenging” terrain, I had plenty of time to translate their colorful commentary for the Austrian hiker beside me – who, by the way, described the section as “no big deal”. Safe to say, we both got a good laugh out of it. 😉
And honestly, this whole encounter is a perfect example of how the same mountain trail can feel like a completely different challenge depending on who you are and how you approach it.
Once we reached the top, we skipped the usual break at the Karl-Ludwig-Haus and continued straight to the Neue Seehütte. About 30 minutes before reaching the hut, we had to pause for a quick hillside picnic (L2’s idea), before tackling a steeper descent that ended with a fantastic, gluten-free, vegan lentil stew.
The mountain had one last surprise for us – a sudden hailstorm (oh, June, you never fail to keep us on our toes) – before we met back up with Zsófi and L at the Waxriegelhaus. Together, we made it just in time for the last bus down.
Final stats: Roughly 12 km, around 900 meters of elevation gain and loss, and about 5 hours of hiking time with L2, plus three snack breaks. And as a little parting gift, we even caught a rainbow on our way back – a nice way to make up for the earlier hailstorm. 🌈
At the second junction, we take the middle road toward Talhof, then the second forest path on the right – the one that leads up to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben. No need for heavy packs today, since we know we’ll be up there in less than two hours, and we can skip cooking for the day. Marco’s Naturfreundehaus is one of those rare places where both of us have plenty of options: almost everything on the menu is gluten-free, and the vegan selection keeps growing. Today’s menu:
Pumpkin soup for L2, Ch, and Z Potato goulash with beans for L1, L2, and Z Blueberry strudel for Christian and L1 And, of course, a special oat milk latte for Z, as Marco likes to say, “Just for Mrs. Waldschlössl.” 😉
Both the hike up and down took about 1 hour 45 minutes each. Impressively, L1 managed the entire descent on his own, except for a 500-meter stretch. (On the way up, though, he mostly hitched a ride or took his time, so the boys – Ch and L1 – arrived about 20 minutes after us, but at least we had a table waiting by then.)
Route: Waldschlössl – Mariensteig – Eng – Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben – and back
Total: about 11.75 km, 730 meters of elevation gain.
At some point below Mittagstein, I stopped taking photos. Right around then, I also made two important decisions: I need proper hiking boots, and I need trekking poles. Chris, just six weeks post-surgery for his double ligament tear, found the trail pleasant. I found it – how should I put it – rather adventurous.
When the wind is strong, we only recommend this trip if…
your Lower Austria Card (NÖ-Card) is about to expire and you want to make the most of your last chance (that was our situation – the cog railway stops running from the middle of November until spring),
you happen to be in the area and there’s no other day that works (some of our guests went under these exact conditions),
or you’re up for a bit of a challenge (like my friend Évi) – though ideally without kids… unless you want the full challenge. 😉
A quick heads-up: the Rax cable car tends to be shut down about twice a year due to bad weather. And yes, we somehow picked one of those days for our little adventure.
From Waldschlössl to Puchberg, you can either take the train (with a change in Wiener Neustadt, so it takes a bit longer), or drive – it’s about 40 minutes by car through charming little villages. This time, we (Zita, L1 and L2) opted for the car.
By the way, from Puchberg (and from where we live), it’s also possible to hike up to Schneeberg on foot and simply meet up with your kids or other family members at the top.
A note on prices (as of 2025): You can buy a regular ticket for the cog railway: – €43.50 for a round trip – €30.50 for a one-way ride Children under six travel free, although officially only one child is allowed per adult. There’s also a combined Rax–Schneeberg ticket, which is valid for two years and costs €64 for adults. Or, you can get a Lower Austria Card, which covers both mountain railways (and much more). The card is valid for a year starting January 1, and there’s currently a promotion extending its validity until the end of March.
Back to the trip: The cog railway takes you up to 1,800 meters in about 40 minutes. From the top station, if it’s not too windy, you can walk with young children to the 1,888-meter-high Waxriegel and enjoy lunch at the Damböckhaus or Fischerhütte.
From Damböckhaus, there are two ways up to the 2,076-meter summit: A steeper and trickier path from the left, or a more gradual (but longer) route that leads toward Fischerhütte. (I uploaded some photos from this trail after our last visit to Schneeberg.)
In this “pleasant breeze” we managed to reach the Damböckhaus, and after about 15 minutes the kids had fully adjusted and weren’t fazed by the storm anymore. Near the top station, the wind gusts were truly wild – but after that, let’s just say it was “only mildly unpleasant.” The upside of hiking with two kids of the perfect age and weight: one in front, one on the back – and you don’t get blown away. 😉
Conclusion: Check the weather forecast carefully before you go. The views are stunning even in stormy conditions. By the time we got back down, the summit was completely hidden in fog – and snow had started to fall.
As we prepare to open our café, we’ve been gathering all sorts of experiences – the good, the bad, and the delicious. Here, we’ve put together a list of our favorite gluten-free options in the area, but as always, be sure to double-check when you visit. This is just a quick overview to help you navigate the local restaurants, mountain huts, and shops.
Schloss Stuben
A traditional Austrian inn with a cozy, rustic vibe. So far, the trout with lecsó has been a reliable gluten-free choice. Haven’t tested the rest of the menu yet, but there are always salads and other safe options. 🌐 schloss-stube.gusti.at
Payerbacherhof
Another classic Austrian spot with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are very attentive, but be sure to mention celiac disease clearly – and maybe even double-check. 🌐 payerbacherhof.at
Reichenauerhof
One of our all-time favorites – we’ve never had any trouble finding gluten-free options here. Sadly, it’s temporarily closed at the moment. 🌐 reichenauerhof.com
Cake Shop:
Le petit Pâtisserie
A charming little patisserie in Reichenau, known for its stunning cakes. The owner, Sophie Hirschegger, puts incredible effort into her creations. They’re as delicious as they are beautiful. Note: the opening hours are a bit limited.
Both stores have a solid selection of gluten-free products. Each has a dedicated gluten-free section, and Billa even offers gluten-free Kaiser rolls in the frozen aisle.
Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben
About 6.5 km and 700 meters of elevation from us, this is one of our favorite hiking destinations. It’s not accessible by car, but it’s worth the trek. Nearly everything here is gluten-free unless obviously not (e.g., bread, certain soups). Just ask Marco, the hut manager, for guidance. 🌐 knofeleben.at
Speckbacher Hütte
Another great hiking destination, though this one is also reachable by car. Alexandra, the hut keeper, is very knowledgeable about gluten-free options and always happy to help. Highly recommended. 🌐 die-speckbacher.at
Looshaus am Kreuzberg
A popular spot with fantastic views and excellent food. We’ve had great experiences here every time – never a problem with gluten-free options. 🌐 looshaus.at
Waldburgangerhütte
About 4 km (and 650 meters of elevation) from Waldschlössl, this hut is run by Maria, who bakes and cooks everything herself. The lentil soup and cranberry cake are both gluten-free. The hut is open on weekends and public holidays from May 1 to June 30, and from September 1 to October 26.
Pottschacherhütte
A good choice if you’re planning a longer hike or a relaxed bike ride, or if you prefer a shorter walk from the parking area. Just ask Bianca, the hut keeper, about gluten-free options. 🌐 pottschacherhuette.naturfreunde.at
Waxriegelhaus (Rax)
One of our top winter spots. Just a 20-minute drive from Waldschlössl to Preiner Gscheid, then a 3.5 km hike up (or 1.8 km if you take the shortcut over the meadows – about 300-350 meters of elevation gain). They usually have soup, lentil stew, and occasionally sausages and gluten-free bread.
In winter, the way back down is a fun 1.8 km sledding run. In spring and summer, it’s a great family destination or a nice spot to wait for the bus after a longer Rax tour. 🌐 waxriegelhaus.naturfreunde.at
Neue Seehütte (Rax)
I’ve generally had good experiences with smaller huts where you can talk directly to the owner, and this one is no exception. The lentil soup was a safe choice here, as it often is. 🌐 neue-seehuette.at
Damböckhaus (Schneeberg)
Another absolute recommendation. About 15-20 minutes from the cog railway’s top station on Schneeberg, or about an hour if you take the route via Waxriegel. For those feeling ambitious, you can hike up all the way from us – but that’s quite a trek, so let’s chat about it first. They usually have gluten-free rolls, lentil soup, and more. 🌐 damboeckhaus.at
A bit of a local secret for those skiing at Stuhleck. You’ll need to ask about gluten-free options, but they usually have one or two good choices. 🌐 friedrichhuette.at
On a beautiful November day, we embarked on the Preiner Gscheid – Martinsteig – Heukuppe – Habsburghaus – Preiner Wand – Neue Seehütte – Waxriegelhaus – Preiner Gscheid trail, which is almost 21 km long and includes 1500 meters of elevation gain (+ and -). We spent 7 hours on the trail, taking our time with the ascent, jogging a bit at the top, and enjoying two short breaks. It was just Gina and me, no kids this time.
We drove to Preiner Gscheid by car, where we set off on a new and exciting route for us. The Martinsteig reminded me a bit of the Gretchensteig. After reaching Heukuppe, we continued to the Habsburghaus. By the time we got there, it was, of course, closed, but we still took a break on the terrace. The November sunshine made the moment extra special. The weather was simply perfect.
This hike was a true gem, with stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it well worth the effort.
❓ Your most frequently asked questions – answered in a nutshell
Since we opened, we’ve received lots of questions about hiking – especially from people who are new to it or didn’t grow up in the mountains.
Most of them are from international guests, and we totally get it – alpine hiking can be a bit different!
This little guide is based on our experiences over the past few years. It’s more practical than funny – but we promise, it’s worth the read.
👉 If you’re already familiar with terms like elevation gain, microspikes, or mountain rescue memberships, you might not need this post 😉
📌 Before you set off – do you have a plan?
Check the weather!
Always check the forecast in the morning – and keep an eye on it during the hike too. Mountain weather can change quickly.
2. Bring a rain jacket & warm clothing.
Even if it’s warm when you start, the summit can be 10°C colder and much windier. Functional clothing helps – especially when you’re sweating on the way up.
3. See snow on the Rax?
That means it’s cold and slippery up there. Don’t go with just running shoes and a T-shirt. Microspikes are a must in that case.
(Yes, if the top looks white, it is snow 😉)
4. Pack a headlamp!
Especially from late autumn through winter – it gets dark early.
5. Know the emergency number: 140
That’s mountain rescue.
Already a member of the Alpine Club? Or thinking of supporting mountain rescue?
➡️ It’s just €32 per year and covers you, your partner, and kids under 18.
Info (choose Reichenau;)): bergrettung-nw.at
6. Essentials in your backpack:
Emergency blanket, water, snacks – always.
7. Phone charged?
Cold weather drains batteries faster – keep an eye on it.
8. Install a hiking app.
We use mapy.cz, but there are many good ones.
A helpful addition to careful tour planning. Or grab a map from our café!
9. This isn’t flat terrain.
Please stay on marked trails. If you’ve gone off-track – turn back and find the path again.
10. Elevation gain – what is that?
10 km with 100 m ascent is very different from 10 km with 1,000 m ascent.
Just for reference: the walk to the nearest supermarket here includes 80 m of uphill 😄
The Rax summit is at 2,007 m, Schneeberg reaches 2,076 m.
😄 By the way:
These are just 10 of the (literally) hundreds of questions we’ve been asked!
Got something else on your mind? Drop us a message – we’re happy to add your question to the list!
