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Today, 03.03.2026
Cloudy
Wind speed1,8 km/h
2-day circular hike from Payerbach to Knofeleben
Hiking tour Starting from Payerbach station
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 25,68 km
- Ascent: 930 m elevation gain
- Descent: 930 m elevation gain
This enjoyable two-day tour leads along the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail) from Payerbach to Knofeleben and on the regional route back to Payerbach.
- Starting point of the tour
- Payerbach station
- Tour destination
- Payerbach station
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 25,68 km
- Ascent: 930 m elevation gain
- Descent: 930 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:4/6
- Overall experience:4/6
- Scenery:4/6
- Lowest point472 m
- Highest point1255 m
- Round tour
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
Description
This two-day tour in the southern Schneeberg region between Kaiserbrunn and Bodenwiese offers colorful landscape contrasts. We hike along the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail) and the Wasserleitungsweg through the rushing Höllental valley to Kaiserbrunn, before the steep and panoramic ascent along the Miesleitensteig leads to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben. After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, Regional Route J leads along pleasant forest and alpine paths to the Waldburgangerhütte, from where the descent to Payerbach begins. The detour to the Jubiläumsaussicht viewpoint is absolutely worthwhile.
- Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear firm shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Bring your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
- Route description The first hiking day takes us along the Vienna Alpine Arc to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben. From Payerbach station, we walk past the bus stops and turn right into Bahnhofweg. Again right, we go along Bahnhofstraße to the Payerbacherhof and cross the main road at the zebra crossing. We cross the Schwarza and turn right before Konditorei Alber, walking past the pavilion and the outdoor pool along the Schwarza under a railway viaduct. At the parking lot, we turn right towards the main road and then turn left into the town centre of the festival town Reichenau an der Rax. For about 15 minutes, we stroll along the main road, past the spa park to Erlangerpark, a small park laid out as a traffic island. Here we keep right and cross the Schwarza to Reichenau Castle.In front of the impressive castle first mentioned in the 13th century, we turn left into Haabergstraße and follow the path alongside the rails of the Höllentalbahn for a long time. We are also already on the water pipeline path here, which we subsequently walk 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. Here, the street course must be followed; at the main road, we 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 stone, we leave the street and turn towards the 1st Vienna Water Pipeline Path to Kaiserbrunn, which was established in 1998 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Vienna high spring water pipeline.Occasionally, short sections must be walked on metal grids, where especially dogs need to be careful with their paws. The water pipeline path is characterized by almost constant ups and downs, sufficient resting places beside the path and alternating proximity to water and rock. The end of the water pipeline path is in Kaiserbrunn. There is also a bus stop here. Then it continues to the Water Pipeline Museum (open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 5 pm, weekdays only upon prior arrangement), where we can refill our water supply with fresh water.We initially follow the marked path valley inward but soon turn to the signposted Miesleitensteig. At a steep scree slope, watch out briefly for falling rocks; steel cables assist the ascent. Soon the forest road is reached on the marked path, which leads us keeping left to the Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben – formerly Friedrich-Haller-Haus – opened in 2012 and our accommodation for today.Known as the "brightest hut in the Alps," it came first place among the huts that can be hiked to in 2014. On the second day, we hike on Regional Route J beside the foreland Knoblwiese on the forest road in a south-easterly direction. On the right, a hiking trail branches off to Eng, but we stay on the blue-marked forest road. After a long right curve, a hiking trail from Lackabodengraben joins from the right, shortly afterwards we turn left onto a forest path towards Waldburgangerhütte. Behind the already visible Lackaboden hut, we turn right to the forest path, follow the blue marking and hike on the gravel road to Bodenwiese. Initially, we hike the meadow path southwards, with the option to turn left to Halterhütte to visit Gabi, and reach Waldburgangerhütte at the southern end of Bodenwiese by keeping left on the gravel road.The hut, largely known for its Schöberl (a type of Austrian pastry), is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from May to October. Opposite the hut, the descent paths to Payerbach begin. We keep left here and follow the signage towards "Bahnhof Payerbach via Hochberger." At the upcoming forest road, the yellow-marked trail number 11 branches off to Obertal; we walk right on the forest road and after a few meters change to a blue-marked trail on the left to Payerbach. We cross a forest road, follow the trail and visit the Jubilee viewpoint. From here, there is a view over the Rax and Semmering area. Back on the path, we continue hiking down the forest path, partly secured with chains. Nearly 300 meters below the Jubilee viewpoint, we reach an asphalt road, which passes by Hochberger farmstead and is soon left for a forest path on the left again. Shortly afterwards, we cross the asphalt road again and follow the blue-marked forest path downhill, leaving the green branching hiking trail to the right. We hike down the upcoming service road in two switchbacks and see Payerbach/Reichenau station ahead. The last meters are through the underpass and we reach the station on the left.
- Parking Parking available at the station.
- Getting there From Vienna on the A2 / From Graz on the S6, leave the motorway at the Gloggnitz exit. Continue on B27 following the signs to Payerbach/Reichenau.
- Public transport Take the train to Payerbach-Reichenau station, the starting point of the route. TIP: On site, you have the possibility to move individually with the Regionalbus 341 or with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax. Book the RUFbus with the Postbus shuttle app, via your accommodation or tourism offices.For more information and timetables, visit fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at
- Editor’s tip Day before: Arrival by train to Payerbach, overnight stay at PayerbacherhofDay 1: Hike up to Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben, overnight stay there. (Attention: closed on Monday!)Day 2: Descent, stop halfway at Waldburgangerhütte. Departure from Payerbach.Especially on weekends, availability of a sleeping place at Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben (closed on Monday) must be checked by phone. Bring enough water, as drinking water sources between Kaiserbrunn and Payerbach are scarce. Please note that Waldburgangerhütte is only open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Recommended period
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Current weather in Payerbach
3° to 11°
4° to 11°
Tomorrow, 04.03.2026
Thunderstorm
Wind speed1,9 km/h
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026