Railway Hiking Trail: Semmering-Breitenstein

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,85 km
Duration: 3:13 h
Ascent: 246 m elevation gain
Descent: 351 m elevation gain

The stage of the railway hiking trail leads from Semmering past the most impressive viaducts, viewpoints, and structures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site to Breitenstein train station.

Starting point of the tour: Semmering train station
Tour destination: Breitenstein train station

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11,85 km
Duration: 3:13 h
Ascent: 246 m elevation gain
Descent: 351 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point710 m
Highest point966 m

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

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Description

Railway Hiking Trail

The hike starts at Semmering train station and leads along the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway. Information boards and beautiful viewpoints accompany the entire route. From Semmering train station, the path follows the railway embankment to Wolfsbergkogel train station. At the Doppelreiter viewing platform, you can enjoy panoramic views of the impressive viaducts and tunnels with Rax and Schneeberg mountains in the background. From here, you can watch trains on their journey over the most impressive structure of the Ghega Railway, the "Kalte Rinne." A must is to enjoy the "20-Schilling View" (named after the motifs of the 20-Schilling banknote). Then continue to the Fleischmann Bridge, along the "Red Mountain" beside the railway line, from the "Kalte Rinne" the path leads on the upper Adlitzgraben street, past the Iron Cross, to Breitenstein. Return to the starting point or continue to Payerbach and Gloggnitz comfortably by Semmering Railway or on hiking paths alongside the railway.

History

At first, there was a path over the Semmering Pass - evidence for this exists since the Middle Ages. Then, in the early 18th century, Emperor Karl VI ordered a road to be built with up to 17 percent gradient, over which horses labored with their loads. Finally, in 1841, the contract was given to build a railway line from Vienna to Trieste to meet the transport needs of the beginning industrialization. In 1844, the "only" gap between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag over the Semmering had to be closed. Under the direction of Carl Ritter von Ghega, 20,000 workers built Europe's first standard-gauge mountain railway, which has experienced few changes to this day. On the 41 km stretch, trains run over 16 viaducts, 100 bridges, and through 15 tunnels. Since 1998, this "outstanding technical solution to a major physical problem in the construction of early railways" has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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