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Railway Hiking Trail: Semmering-Breitenstein
Hiking tour Starting from Semmering train station
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 10,05 km
- Duration: 2:50 h
- Ascent: 207 m elevation gain
- Descent: 312 m elevation gain
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" 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 Breitenstein station.
- Starting point of the tour
- Semmering train station
- Tour destination
- Breitenstein train station
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 10,05 km
- Duration: 2:50 h
- Ascent: 207 m elevation gain
- Descent: 312 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:4/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:5/6
- Lowest point710 m
- Highest point982 m
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
- Suitable for families and children
Description
PLEASE NOTE!!! The railroad hiking trail is closed between the SEMMERING STATION and the 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 thoroughly beautiful and safe experience. Please note the following:Make sure that the route you choose matches your mountain experience and fitness level. Check the weather forecast beforehand. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly. Always set out equipped accordingly (appropriate footwear, rain protection). Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and planned return before you set out. Stay on marked paths and avoid shortcuts. Due to dryness, meadows and forests are easily flammable. Treat fire respectfully and report any possible fire to the fire department immediately. Do not litter and dispose of your rubbish properly.8 mountain rules
- Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes appropriate for 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 course of the railway line, passing 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 railway hiking trail logo continuously mark the way towards Breitenstein. Shortly before reaching Wolfsbergkogel station, there is an opportunity to admire the impressive Kartnerkogel viaduct. The railway hiking trail then continues past the spa house. After a short ascent, you reach the Doppelreiter viewing platform at 919 m above sea level.The next station is the well-known "20-Schilling View," a panorama that once adorned the 20-Schilling banknote. The path then runs through the forest, past several viewpoints and the Villa Daheim. A short section must be covered on the road before reaching the Fleischmann Bridge. There is a photo point and you can view the tools and work camp from the time of railway construction.The path now leads steeply uphill 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, passing the Blunzenwirt. At the bridge, the forest path on the left leads up to Breitenstein train station.You can now continue the hike along the railway hiking trail by the tracks or via the panoramic route to Klamm and then on to Gloggnitz or Payerbach.
- Parking Free parking is available at the Semmering train station.
- Getting there From Vienna take the A2 South Motorway to the S6 Semmering expressway and take the Maria Schutz exit. Turn right onto L4168. Continue on Semmering/L4168 and Semmeringstraße. Turn right onto Bahnhofstraße.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 to Semmering. Continue on Passstraße, which bends slightly right and becomes Semmering. Turn left onto Bahnhofstraße.
- Public transport Travel comfortably with the Southern Railway to Semmering train station, where the hike also begins.Alternatively, you can book an individual trip with the RUFbus Semmering-Rax.The following RUFbus stops are along the way: 109 Semmering train station108 Wolfsbergkogel train station106 20 Schilling View hiking entry103 Villa Waldheimat102 Semmering golf course100 Kalte Rinne/Ghega Museum101 Blunzenwirt96 Breitenstein municipal office95 Breitenstein train stationReturn trip:Return by RUFbus Semmering-Rax to the starting point of the railway hiking trail or by train from Breitenstein train station back home.TIP: Book the RUFbus easily and individually using the Postbus shuttle app or hotline +43 660 9008822.More information and timetables can be found at fahrplan.oebb.at and anachb.vor.at
- Editor’s tip The information center at Semmering train station provides detailed information about the Semmering Railway World Heritage Site. (May to October)Collect happy moments – collect hiking badges: Collect the digital "railway hiking trail badge".Children's station Semmering
Recommended period
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Places to eat:
Meierei at Semmering Golf Course
Hinterholz 9 tavern, tel. 0664/1057229
More info:
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