WAB - Regional Route L: Kalte Rinne in Breitenstein - Gloggnitz Castle

Description

Large stretches of this route lead along the Bahnwanderweg as part of the Semmering Railway World Heritage Site and starts at the impressive Kalte Rinne viaduct, where the Regional Route branches away from the main route. Solitary farmer’s roads, field and hiking paths close to nature, and gorgeous places to wander characterise this route.

 

 

Fascinating insights and views of an occasionally harsh landscape that always conveys a sense of security can be found behind every bend and every mountaintop. Gloggnitz Castle is a highlight at the end of this route.

Starting point of the tour

Kalte Rinne in Breitenstein

Destination point of the tour

Gloggnitz Castle

Route description WAB - Regional Route L: Kalte Rinne in Breitenstein - Gloggnitz Castle

We start this walk along Regional Route L at the Kalte Rinne viaduct in the Viennese Alps and wander along the streets downhill to Breitenstein. At Blunzenwirt (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) we turn left onto the Hauptstraße and follow the signs to Breitenstein railway station and go over a bridge. We then come across the Feuerwehrhaus on the road a bit further on, continue to ascend towards the municipal office, then leave Hauptstraße and continue into Lindenstraße. After a short stretch we ascend along the road and keep slightly right into Untere Bahnstraße. We can look back towards Breitenstein and the Kalte Rinne viaduct. The paved road then becomes a cart path, which takes us uphill past meadows to a road with great views. At this point, veer right and follow the road downhill then, when near some houses, turn into Blauer Einschnitt and get very close to the Semmering Railway. The Bahnwanderweg carries straight on to Klamm after a few minutes, however we turn left to Kreuzberg at the crossroads. The forest road brings us to a road which leads us to the mountain ridges of the Kreuzberg. Gasthof Polleres is on the left if you fancy a hearty meal (closed on Mondays) and continue right on the gravel track. At the next crossroads, which has a plague memorial, we continue left along a gravel path. The views of Schneeberg and Rax are splendid at this point. When in the woods, we follow the path towards Klammer Kapelle and go on a gentle climb. We turn left onto a hiking path marked in red at a point where the woods thin out somewhat. This narrow woodland route takes us downhill to Kochhof. A chapel and a large lime tree can be seen on the right, but we go left onto the road heading to Gloggnitz. Not long after, we turn off the road and take the hiking path uphill to take in a view of the Schneeberg. We then follow the solitary hiking path eastwards (also the Bahnwanderweg to Gloggnitz). We leave the forest, see a large meadow before us, and catch a first glimpse of Gloggnitz. The Bahnwanderweg turns right over the meadow at this point, whereas we go left along the edge of the forest and ascend slightly to a stunning vantage point. Then we go eastwards at the edge of the forest and now follow the Kreuzweg (partially marked out in blue) downhill to the road. At this point we go beneath the railway line and follow the gently descending road to Gloggnitz Castle. Regional Route L ends here.

 

There’s an option to spend the night in Gloggnitz or to take a short walk to Gloggnitz railway station. Alternatively, you can take Regional Route K to Payerbach at this point and reach the Viennese Alps trail over there.