We had picked up our son from his job in Vienna to spend a weekend hiking in the Alpes.
There are 2 prominent mountains at the south eastern end of the Alpes which we wanted to show him: Rax and Schneeberg.
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| Caution: stay clear of the livestock |
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| Walking up the pastures |
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| Many routes to choose from |
Already Friday night we had reached the foot of the Rax at the Preiner Gscheid, where a big parking is perfect to stay overnight with the camper. (47.676063, 15.723288) The next morning hikers started to arrive early as it was going to be a hot day. There are different routes to go up to the Karl Ludwig House – we chose the Schlangenweg or snake trail, which is the easiest route.
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| Path snaking up the mountain |
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| Teufelskralle or Devil’s Claw – a medicinal plant |
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| Still snow in some depressions |
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| Meadows full of flowers |
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| getting closer |
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| Karl Ludwig House at 1,800 metres |
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| Alpen-Nelke or Alpine pink |
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| Here comes a snowball !!! |
The highest peak of the Rax is the Heukuppe (2,007 m). There is also a cable car, the Raxseilbahn, (the first one in Austria – construction began in 1925) which would take you up to the extensive, high plateau of the Rax. This way you can go easily on beautiful hikes high up in the mountains. And the more adventurous find climbing routes of various difficulties on the steep sides of the plateau. Numerous mountain huts offer food and accommodation. The Rax and the Schneeberg are the favourite hiking areas of the Viennese people.
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| Weiße Silberwurz or mountain avens |
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| Rax plateau |
Passing the Predigtstuhl with 1,900 metres, we took a path down which is called Waxriegelsteig, which leads to the Waxriegel House. Through the mountain pines it goes straight down with great views back to the Karl Ludwig House and into the valley.
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| Karl Ludwig House in the distance |
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| Pole dance @ Entenhügel just above the Waxriegelhütte |
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| Back down over the pastures |
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| Alpen-Habichtskraut or alpine hawkweed |
