With snowshoes on the Raxplateau

High plateaus and alpine pastures are perfect regions for snowshoe hikes. The winter sport is easy and quick to learn in terms of technique. On the way you are with snow plates, which are attached to winter-proof mountain boots with a simple binding. Poles are important for coordination, and you’re good to go. However, you should also have the necessary equipment in your backpack for the tours and be able to assess possible dangers.

Orientation skills with a map and/or GPS device are particularly important in poor visibility and snow-covered markings. If you are still unsure about mountain regions, it is best to join a guided tour. Snowshoes can be hired in many hotels, from alpine clubs and also from mountain railways such as the one on the Rax.

Raxplateau Round: In order to discover something new, this time we were out and about in the area around the Rax mountain regions. The cable car takes you from Hirschwang up to the Raxalpe. The snowshoe trails across the extensive plateau begin here at the mountain inn. On the well-worn winter path you come to the Ottohaus via the Gatterlkreuz. From the vantage point next to the hut, the nearby high snow mountain is in the limelight. Here we leave the signposted snowshoe trail and follow the mostly groomed path upwards and then at a safe distance to the cliffs to the south-west. A short detour leads to the Freedom Cross on the Jakobskogel.

Back again it goes between mountain pines in easy uphill and downhill past the Hohe Kanzel to the Preinerwand-Kreuz. The cliffs here break off steeply to the south in the direction of Preiner Gscheid. The onset of heat and the rain melted the snow at the end of the year, so we descended with snowshoes in hand to a crossroads. Below you can see the roof of the Neue Seehütte, but we turn right and follow the Seeweg back from here.

If the strong wind refreshed us on the way there, we now walk peacefully through the low mountain forest in the wide valley basin back to the Ottohaus. From the nearby Praterstern you could still make a detour to the Höllental viewpoint. Those who are already looking forward to a stop at the Raxalpe can hike back to the starting point with a view of the Schneeberg.

From the Preiner Gscheid to the Waxriegelhaus: It’s a short circular tour with beautiful views up to the higher regions of the Rax. Although the starting point is over 1000 meters, no snowshoes were necessary for our hike. The shorter sections on snow were easy to walk with mountain boots. Follow the signs for the Schlangenweg up to the Siebenbrunnenwiese and, keeping to the right, you will reach the Waxriegelhaus, which is already visible. For the descent, follow the signs towards Prein. The striking Preiner Wand and the Preiner Kreuz soon come into view.

Further down, the path branches off back to the Preiner Gscheid. This shorter, south-facing hike is recommended when arriving in the area or on the day of departure.

Information about the tour

Walking time: 4 hours
Distance: 10.5 kilometers
Elevation meters: 450
Stages: Rax cable car mountain station (1547 m) – Jakobskogel (1736 m) – Preinerwand-Kreuz (1783 m) – Seeweg junction (1658 m)

Walking time: 2 hours
Distance: 4.5 kilometers
Elevation meters: 350
Stages: Preiner Gscheid (1070 m) – Waxriegelhaus (1361 m)

Internet: raxalpe.com, reichenau.at

Book tip:
Csaba Szepfalusi: “Snowshoe hiking: The most beautiful tours in Vienna’s local mountains”, Kral Verlag, 16.90 euros. The more than 60 tour suggestions with clear map excerpts, information blocks and wonderful pictures make you want to set off into the mountain regions between the Vienna Woods and Hochschwab.

By the wayside

contemplation: The Raxalm mountain inn is located directly at the mountain station of the Rax cable car and is ideal for a final stop at the end of the round and is also perfect for an overnight stay. Open all year round (raxalpe.com). The Waxriegelhaus is also open all year round and divides the route from the Preiner Gscheid into two sections (waxriegelhaus.naturfreunde.at).

Health resort and summer resort:
The area around Reichenau was already known as a noble health resort during the monarchy. This was also helped by the construction of the southern railway and it became a popular meeting place for the nobility, the upper bourgeoisie and also some writers. This can still be seen in the many buildings around the towns of Prein, Reichenau, Hirschwang and Payerbach. The Rax cable car was built in 1926, which made a significant contribution to opening up the Rax massif. It was the first passenger cable car in Austria.