Walking Holidays Vienna Alps

Mount Rax, Semmering, and Schneeberg

At the foot of the Magic Mountains, you’ll encounter many delightful summer holiday villages. The stunning mountains rise to an elevation of more than 2.000 m. Enjoy a network of hiking paths and climbing routes that crisscross these mountains of rugged beauty.

The Semmering Railway (UNESCO World Heritage Site), built over 41 km of high mountains between 1848 and 1854, is one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building. The high standard of the tunnels, viaducts and other works has ensured the continuous use of the line up to the present day.

Tour Details: Elevation and route path varies daily on this tour. Higher elevations are bridged by cable car or train. Nevertheless, shorter but steep climbs have to be taken into account. You’ll walk on plateaus as well as Alpine paths, so you should be in average or above average fitness ability. You’ll be walking from 5 to 5.5 hours a day on this self-guided tour.

Day 1: Arrive at the Payerbach

Payerbach was the location where the world’s first mountain train started (The Semmering train), which became UNESCO World Heritage in 1999.

Day 2: Train to Semmering – Walking Tour along the Train Heritage Trail to Payerbach

Start along the Semmering Heritage Trail to the well-known town of Semmering. The Heritage Trail explores the route of Ghega Train, now UNESCO World Heritage, with striking viaducts crossing deep valleys and gorges and an idyllic, peaceful country. You can shorten this tour by taking the train for the last part (save about 5 to 8 km). Overnight in Payerbach.

• Distance: 19,00 KM. Walking time: 6.5 hours

Day 3: Begin today’s hike on the Rax Plateau to 2.000 m

With the cable car, you will go up to the Mount Rax. You’ll enjoy the view while walking from cabin to cabin. Several options are available for every taste and level. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountain world. Return by bus to Payerbach.

• Distance: 13,43 KM. Walking time: 4 hours

Day 4: Payerbach – Bodenwiese – Puchberg

You’ll be hiking from the alpine pasture of Bodenwiesen to Puchberg. The demanding ascent to Waldburg-Anger cabin is followed by a comfortable walk across the huge high alpine pasture Bodenwiese, where the local farmers graze their cattle. Take it easy walking down into the valley on pleasant forest roads past picturesque ponds. Throughout the day you’ll see the majestic Mount Schneeberg (Snowy Mountain). You could imagine yourself being in the central Alps. Overnight in Puchberg.

• Distance: 24,11 KM. Walking time: 6 to 7 hours

Day 5: By rack-railway up on Mount Schneeberg

Today you take the famous rack-railway up to an elevation of more than 2.000 m. The summit is not far away and the views of the Alps are breath-taking. Don’t miss sampling a delicious local pastry called “Buchtel” at the middle station. Overnight in Puchberg.

• Distance: 12,1 KM. Walking Time: 4 hours

Day 6: By train to the foot of Hohe Wand (High Wall)

Today’s route takes you through the forest up a steep ascent to Hohe Wand, a popular rock climbing wall for climbers. Don’t worry, your route goes around the wall! If the weather is clear you can almost see to Vienna. The return trail follows the ridge, past farms and small hamlets to your hotel in Puchberg.

• Distance: 13,2 KM. Walking Time: 4,5 hours

Day 7: This morning you can depart by train via Wiener Neustadt to Payerbach (or Vienna).

Dates: Daily arrival from June to September. Minimum persons: 2

Services

• 3 nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast
• 3 nights in a 4-star hotel with breakfast (indoor pool!)
• 6 x dinner
• Train tickets for Payerbach – Semmering, Puchberg – Grünbach, and Puchberg – Payerbach
• Tickets for the Rax cable car and Mount Schneeberg rack railway
• Luggage transfer Payerbach – Puchberg
• Tour book
• Hotline

Extra: Local city tax

Book this tour with Bestseller Travel Austria!