Description
We cross the Krummbachstein after leaving the Naturfreundehaus and cross over to the opposite slop on the Schneeberg to the Elizabethkirche vantage point, which has grand architecture and wonderful views. After passing Hochschneeberg railway station, we ascend past the Waxriegel to the Damböckhaus. We then climb to the summit of the Schneeberg to be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Viennese Alps. The Klosterwappen on Hochschneeberg is the highest observation point of the Viennese Alps and the highlight of views that could be described as paradise. More wonderful panoramic views of the Kaiserstein and Schauerstein, which is passed when descending from the Edelweißhütte, can be seen from the vantage point at the Fischerhütte.
Starting point of the tour
Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben
Destination point of the tour
Edelweißhütte
Route description WAB - Stage 14: Knofeleben - Edelweißhütte
The path to Krummbachstein continues along the Viennese Alps Way left past the cabin in the direction of the vantage point at Elisabethkirche. A few minutes later, we turn right from a pleasant forest path onto a hiking trail, and follow the green signs uphill. From our vantage point on a small elevation with a lay-by, we can see the Schneeberg and the summit of the Krummbachstein. We hike down briefly to a saddle and ascend on a stony climb, sometimes using our hands, to the 1,602 metre peak of the Krummbachstein. The truly incredible view certainly makes the ascent worthwhile. We immortalise ourselves in the notebook on the summit then descend towards the Elizabethkirche. Whilst in a meadow we hike past a self-catering Alpenfreundehütte cabin and continue through pine forests to a clearing. We look left towards the Elisabethkirche on the Schneeberg, which lies below the Waxriegel on the mountain edge. A signpost shows the direction to the vantage point at the Schneeberg. A hiking route marked in green leading to the Krummbachsattel at an altitude of 1,333 m lies between Krummbachstein and the Elisabethkirche.
We cross the meadow and ascend via a forest path. Upon reaching a pasture fence we turn right onto a road towards the Baumgartner bus stop. Turn left onto a gravel track near the rack-and-pinion railway before the Buchtelstation (open during the season that the Schneebergbahn is open). We ascend slightly, cross the rack-and-pinion railway, and climb a few more metres. The hiking trail, which is marked out in yellow and is extremely stony and slippery on occasion, takes us towards the railway station at Hochschneeberg. It becomes flatter around an hour later as we come very close to the Elisabethkirchlein. The vantage point is halfway between the church and Hochschneeberg railway station. Going through the kaleidoscope provides all manner of interesting material about the history of the Schneeberg Railway.
We cross over a playground and follow the gravel path uphill slightly towards Klosterwappen and the Fischerhütte cabin. We go anticlockwise around the Waxriegel summit then arrive at the Damböckhaus cabin 15 minutes later. From this point, we take the gravel track and head towards Klosterwappen. Accompanied by the sound of cowbells, we turn left at a fork at Ochsenboden and follow a hiking path marked out in yellow and also with wooden posts. Alternatively, ascend directly to the Fischerhütte cabin.
It starts with a very gradual climb which becomes steeper the closer we get to the summit of the Schneeberg. The summit cross on the Klosterwappen, the highest point in Lower Austria and the geographical highlight of the Viennese Alps Way, is on the right behind the transmitter. At this point we now have an expansive view looking west. Views include the Türnitzer Alps and the Ötscher, the Rax and the Hochschwab, and if the weather is great, even as far as the Dachstein. Just a few minutes separate us from the Fischerhütte (open from April to October)
We quietly say goodbye to the roof of Lower Austria and veer left from the hut in a north-westerly direction past Kaiserstein. After a few metres we follow the Viennese Alps Way left towards the Edelweißhütte cabin via the Schauerstein. This hiking route, marked in green, initially takes us slightly downhill over a stunning meadow slope on the edge of the Schauerstein. We subsequently hike downhill along a stony route through a pine forest as far as a crossroads, where the Fleischer memorial can be seen on the left. At this point, we turn right towards the Edelweißhütte cabin and onto Fadenweg. A splendid hiking route takes us through a wild forest to a forest road. We veer right and follow the gravel track as it goes slightly downhill. Just after the Hoyos monument, the road turns right and on clear days we can even see the skyscrapers of Vienna in the distance.
After half-an-hour on the forest road, we turn right onto the Fadenweg route, marked in yellow, and head very slightly uphill to the Edelweißhütte. The evening is rounded off in style at the Edelweißhütte on the new terrace.
Directions
The Naturfreundehaus is in alpine surroundings and can only be reached directly on foot. Coming from the previous stage: If you are travelling from Vienna on the A2/from Graz on the S6, leave the motorway at the Gloggnitz exit, continue along the B27, and follow the signs to Reichenau and Kaiserbrunn.
Parking
Coming from the previous stage: Car parking is available at the Rax Aerial Ropeway.
The Naturfreundehütte on Knofeleben is in alpine territory and cannot therefore be directly reached via public transport. It is recommended to combine this stage with the previous one from Reichenau to Knofeleben. Coming from the previous stage: Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Payerbach-Reichenau railway station. Take the 1748 regional bus as far as the Reichenau/Rax Kurtheater stop.
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