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On the Bahnwanderweg from Semmering to Payerbach
Hiking tour Starting from Semmering Train Station
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 20,29 km
- Duration: 5:11 h
- Ascent: 356 m elevation gain
- Descent: 758 m elevation gain
PLEASE NOTE!!! The railroad hiking trail is closed between SEMMERING STATION and WOLFSBERGKOGEL STATION!!! ******************** The stage of the railroad hiking trail leads from Semmering past the most impressive viaducts, viewpoints and buildings of the UNESCO World Hertige site to Payerbach station.
- Starting point of the tour
- Semmering Train Station
- Tour destination
- Payerbach Train Station
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 20,29 km
- Duration: 5:11 h
- Ascent: 356 m elevation gain
- Descent: 758 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:6/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:5/6
- Lowest point471 m
- Highest point993 m
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
Description
PLEASE NOTE!!! The railroad hiking trail is closed between SEMMERING STATION and WOLFSBERGKOGEL STATION!!!
Detour via Südbahnstraße - Adlitzgrabenstraße - Wolfsbergkogel - Kurhausstraße, to the viewpoints Doppelreiteraussichtswarte and "20-Schilling-Blick"
Railroad hiking trail
The hike starts at Semmering railroad station and leads along the Semmering Railway UNESCO World Heritage Site. Information boards and beautiful viewpoints accompany the entire route. From Semmering station, the trail leads along the railroad track to Wolfsbergkogel station. The Doppelreiter viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the imposing viaducts and tunnels with the Rax and Schneeberg mountains in the background. From here, trains can be observed on their journey over the most impressive structure of the Ghegabahn, the "Kalte Rinne". Don't miss the "20-Schilling-Blick" (named after the motif of the 20-Schilling bill). Continue to the Fleischmannbrücke bridge, the "Roter Berg" along the Bahnstrasse, from the "Kalte Rinne" the trail leads along the upper Adlitzgrabenstrasse, past the Iron Cross, to Breitenstein. You can return to the starting point or continue on to Payerbach and Gloggnitz comfortably on the Semmering Railway or on hiking trails along the railroad.
History of the trail
In the beginning, it was a path that led over the Semmering Pass - there has been evidence of this since the Middle Ages. Then, in the early 18th century, Emperor Charles VI had a road built with a gradient of up to 17 percent, over which horses and their loads laboriously struggled. Finally, in 1841, the order was given to build a railroad line from Vienna to Trieste to meet the transport needs of the beginning industrialization. Finally, in 1844, "only" the gap between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag over the Semmering had to be closed. Under the direction of Carl Ritter von Ghega, 20,000 workers finally built Europe's first full-track mountain railroad, which has only undergone a few changes to this day. Trains travel over 16 viaducts, 100 bridges and through 15 tunnels on the 41 km long line. Since 1998, this "outstanding technical solution to a major physical problem in the construction of early railroads" has been a UNESCO World Hert Hert site.
- safety instructions Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a completely beautiful and safe experience.Therefore, please note the following:Make sure the chosen route matches your mountain experience and fitness level. Check the weather forecast in advance. Weather in the mountains can change unexpectedly fast. Always start appropriately equipped (suitable footwear, rain protection). Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and estimated return time before you start. Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts. Due to dry conditions, meadows and forests can easily catch fire. Handle fire responsibly and report any possible fire immediately to the fire department (122). Do not litter and dispose of trash properly.Some sections of the route run along pasture areas. Stay on marked trails and keep respectful distance from the grazing animals.8 Basic Rules for the Mountains
- Equipment Always carry suitable maps. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140.
- Route description The hike starts at Semmering Train Station (895 m). From there, follow the railway track and pass the so-called "Children's Station" (playground) on the way to the Wolfsbergkogel train station (after about 1.5 km). The yellow signposts with the Bahnwanderweg logo consistently point the way toward Breitenstein.Shortly before reaching the Wolfsbergkogel station, there is an opportunity to admire the impressive Kartnerkogel Viaduct. The Bahnwanderweg then continues past the Kurhaus. After a short ascent, you reach the Doppelreiter observation tower at an altitude of 919 m.The next stop is the famous 20-Schilling View, a panorama that once adorned the 20-Schilling banknote. The path then runs through the forest, past several viewpoints and Villa Daheim. A short section must be covered on the road before reaching the Fleischmann Bridge. There is a photo spot there and you can visit the tools and work camp from the time of railway construction.The path now climbs steeply over the Red Mountain to the impressive Kalte-Rinne Viaduct. The Ghega Museum is also located there. From here, turn right onto Kalte-Rinne Street and continue past the Krausel-Klause Viaduct into the village of Breitenstein past the Blunzenwirt. At the bridge, the forest path on the left leads up to Breitenstein train station.Shortly before Breitenstein station, turn into Linden Street at the municipal office, which later becomes a forest path. From here, always follow the signs towards Klamm train station.At the next fork, you meet an asphalted road again. Follow this uphill. To the right is a playground with a locomotive. Continue along the Lower Railway Street, which eventually turns into a forest road.At the end of this forest road, there is the possibility to hike right across a meadow to the Weinzettl Wall. There, two viewpoints offer impressive views of Klamm, Breitenstein, Semmering, and the famous Semmering railway. Please show respect to the grazing animals when crossing the meadow.Then follow Karl Schubert Street to the Blue Cut. There, follow the road downhill to the right. Then always stay on the forest road. Keep left at the Rumpler Viaduct. Alternatively, you could take the Panorama route here to Klamm and stop for refreshments at the Polleres guesthouse or Alterhammerhof.After the next railway underpass, turn left onto a meadow path also signposted towards Klamm train station. The path leads to the Gamperl Viaduct; here, too, follow the signs towards Klamm train station.Walk down the forest road, then turn left through a wooden fence to continue. On this path you reach the Wagnergraben Viaduct. Cross the bridge and follow the steep path uphill. The path leads onto an asphalted road – the Musician's Path, which leads directly to the church in Klamm.At the church, turn left up the street, then right into Deiningerweg, continuing towards Klamm train station. After the station, continue along the road to the Eichberg Street intersection. (The Panorama route also rejoins the Bahnwanderweg here.)Opposite the Klammer Chapel, a blue-marked path starts towards Payerbach. From here, follow the Küb–Payerbach signs and the blue trail markers.The initially asphalted road soon turns into a forest road. At the next intersection, follow the signposts towards Payerbach and Küb Post Office. After about 400 meters, the blue marking turns right onto a forest trail – but please continue to follow the forest road at this point.This leads into Waldwinkel Street. At the next intersection, go slightly right straight ahead and continue on Waldwinkel Street. At the following fork, the path leads straight on along the yellow signposts with the Bahnwanderweg logo towards Payerbach.The path now passes Küb Train Station and continues along the meadows on the blue-marked path towards Payerbach until reaching an underpass. Pass through it and then follow the path to the left.The path becomes a road and leads – always following the blue marking – to the Payerbach municipal office. From there, cross the bridge and go straight on until shortly before Payerbach Train Station, where Bahnhofweg turns right uphill.
- Parking Free parking is available at Semmering railway station.
- Getting there From Vienna, take the A2 South Motorway onto the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Maria Schutz exit. Turn right onto L4168. Continue on Semmering/L4168 and Semmering Street. Turn right onto Bahnhof Street.From Graz, take the S6 Semmering Expressway and take the Spital/Semmering exit. Turn left onto Semmering Ersatz Str./B306. Continue on B306. At the roundabout, go straight towards Semmering. Continue on Pass Road, which veers slightly right and becomes Semmering. Turn left onto Bahnhof Street.
- Public transport Travel comfortably by Southern Railway to Semmering Train Station, where the hike begins.Alternatively, book an individual ride with the Semmering-Rax RUFbus.The following RUFbus stops are on the route:109 Semmering Train Station102 Semmering Golf Course106 20 Schilling View hiking start108 Wolfsbergkogel Train Station95 Breitenstein Train Station96 Breitenstein Municipal Office101 Blunzenwirt100 Kalte Rinne/Ghega Museum88 Klamm Train Station92 Blue Cut93 Lower/Upper Railway Street34 Payerbacherhof35 Payerbach-Reichenau Train Station36 Payerbach Outdoor PoolReturn journey:Return either with the Semmering-Rax RUFbus to the starting point of the Bahnwanderweg or by train from Payerbach Train Station back home.TIP: Simply use the Postbus Shuttle App or the hotline +43 660 900 88 22.More information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at.
- Editor’s tip Visit the historic Küb Post OfficeThe information center at Semmering Train Station provides detailed information about the Semmeringbahn World Heritage Site (May to October).Collect feelings of happiness - collect hiking badges: collect the digital "Bahnwanderweg hiking badge".Panorama route with refreshment stops over KreuzbergChildren's locomotive in Breitenstein
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Refreshment options:
Ausschank Hinterholz 9, +43 664/ 1057229
Mostheuriger Kobermann (check opening dates in advance)
Mostheuriger Jeitler (check opening dates in advance)
Refreshment options at Semmering
Refreshment options in Breitenstein
Refreshment options in Payerbach
Information:
Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960
Tourism office Semmering, www.semmering.at, +43 / 2664 / 20025
Letzte Änderung: 20 Mar 2026