On the Bahnwanderweg from Semmering to Payerbach

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 20,07 km
Duration: 5:04 h
Ascent: 327 m elevation gain
Descent: 729 m elevation gain

The stage of the Bahnwanderweg leads from Semmering past the most impressive viaducts, viewpoints, and buildings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site to Payerbach Train Station.

Starting point of the tour: Semmering Train Station
Tour destination: Payerbach Train Station

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 20,07 km
Duration: 5:04 h
Ascent: 327 m elevation gain
Descent: 729 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
6/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point471 m
Highest point966 m

Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

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Description

Bahnwanderweg

The hike starts at Semmering Train Station and runs along the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway. Information boards and beautiful viewpoints accompany the entire route. From Semmering Station, the path follows along the railway track to Wolfsbergkogel station. At the Doppelreiter observation tower, there is a panoramic view of the impressive viaducts and tunnels with Rax and Schneeberg in the background. From here, trains on their journey over the most impressive construction of the Ghega railway, the "Kalte Rinne", can be observed. Definitely enjoy the "20-Schilling View" (named after the motives of the 20-Schilling banknote). The route continues to the Fleischmann Bridge, along the "Red Mountain" alongside the railway road; from the "Kalte Rinne", the path follows the upper Adlitzgraben road, past the Iron Cross, to Breitenstein. Return to the starting point or continue to Payerbach and Gloggnitz easily by Semmering Railway or on hiking trails along the railway.

History

In the beginning, it was a path over the Semmering Pass – evidence exists since the Middle Ages. Then, in the early 18th century, Emperor Karl VI commissioned the construction of a road with up to 17 percent gradient, which horses painfully struggled to overcome with their loads. Eventually, in 1841, the contract was given to build a railway line from Vienna to Trieste to meet the transport needs of the emerging industrialization. In 1844, the last gap between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag over the Semmering had to be closed. Under the leadership of Carl Ritter von Ghega, 20,000 workers finally built the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe, which has undergone only few changes to this day. Trains run over 41 km, crossing 16 viaducts, 100 bridges, and 15 tunnels. Since 1998, this “outstanding technical solution of a great physical problem in the construction of early railways” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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