Nature Friends' house Knofeleben via Payerbach-Reichenau

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6,09 km
Ascent: 765 m elevation gain

This beautiful mountain tour leads directly from Payerbach railroad station via the Mitterberggraben to the Knofeleben Naturefriends Hut (formerly Friedrich Haller Haus) at an altitude of 1250m.

Starting point of the tour: Payerbach station
Tour destination: Nature Friends' house Knofeleben

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6,09 km
Ascent: 765 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point487 m
Highest point1253 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Suitable for families and children

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The hiking trail to the Naturfreundehütte Knofeleben is easy to negotiate. All paths are secured and the approximately 6 km long route can be completed comfortably in 2 and a half hours. Payerbach railroad station is the starting point for an excursion to the World Heritage community with its outdoor pool, Gothic fortified church and many culinary destinations. The historic station building is a listed building and the Höllentalbahn narrow-gauge railroad to the Rax also departs from here.

We continue along the hiking trail in the direction of Schneeberg. On the Gahns, a foothill of the Schneeberg, lies the Knofeleben Naturefriends Hut, which was awarded the Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality in 2014. And rightly so! In addition to modern architecture, the hut also has some culinary delights to offer. The Naturfreundehaus is also a stage destination on the Wiener Alpenbogen - Arc of the Viennese Alps (trail), from here you can hike on to the Edelweißhütte on the Schneeberg or to Kaiserbrunn in the Höllental valley.

safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly beautiful and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:Preparation Make sure when choosing the route that it matches your experience and your fitness. Inform yourself in advance about the weather report. Weather in the mountains can change surprisingly fast. Therefore always set out appropriately equipped (e.g., rain protection).Check whether the huts and snack stations you intend to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and your planned return before you set off.
Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection, as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140
Route description From the station square, turn right into Baurat-Schneider-Gasse. Then keep left to reach a hiking trail leading to Schneedörfl. Follow Scheebergweg for 600 m and then turn right onto a gravel road. This path leads straight onto a trail; at the next T-junction, turn left. Now follow the path which leads to a hairpin bend, and at the next fork, turn left. Continue following the trail until it leads to a hiking trail. Now keep right, and at the fork, immediately turn left onto a path. This leads to a paved road. The destination is almost reached; turn left once more and after 200 m you will arrive at the Nature Friends' house.
Parking Parking available at the station.
Getting there From Vienna, drive via the A2 South Motorway to the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Payerbach.From Graz, drive via the S35 or A2 to the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Gloggnitz exit. Follow B27 to Payerbach.
Public transport Arrive by train at Payerbach-Reichenau stop. The route starts directly at the station. RUFbus stops along the way:35 Payerbach station27 Hiking entry Knofeleben/Schneedörfl28 Waldschlössl-Schneedörfl

Recommended period

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Hut opening hours

Letzte Änderung: 11 Apr 2026