Category: Hiking or Trailrunning

Speedy Aunties on the Rax – A Mother’s Day Trail

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

Parking: Here

Morning Coffee with a View – Kicking Off the Weekend on the Trail

“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.

Nearly 14 kilometers, 740 meters of elevation, and a solid 2 hours and 20 minutes of pure trail bliss – a perfect start to the weekend.

Elevation Instead of Flowers – A Name Day on the Trail

“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.

Single trails? Bring it on!

Our route:

Waldschlössl – Mariensteig – Eng – Knofeleben – Krummbachstein – Emmysteig – Waxriegel – Baumgartner – Bodenwiese – Waldburgangerhütte – Waldschlössl.

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.

Spring Hike to the Waxriegelhaus – Fresh Air, Stunning Views, and Tired Little Legs

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.

Preiner Gscheid – Gretchensteig – Karl-Ludwig-Haus – Neue Seehütte – Göbl Kühn Steig – Waxriegelhaus – Preiner Gscheid

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. 🌈

Preiner Gscheid – Gretchensteig – Karl-Ludwig-Haus – Neue Seehütte – Göbl Kühn Steig – Waxriegelhaus – Preiner Gscheid

A Day on Schneeberg with the Salamander Railway – Lessons Learned

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.

Autumn Bliss Above the Clouds

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.

🥾 Hiking in the Area?

❓ 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?

  1. 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!