Description
From the castle, we head through the historic town of Gloggnitz, which first developed during the early stages of industrialisation, then the route continues through forest paths over the Silbersberg (with a splendid view back over Gloggnitz) before reaching Prigglitz. Just before Prigglitz, there is a magnificent view of the wonderful cultivated landscape around Prigglitz up to the Rax on one side, and Seebenstein Castle on the other. When in Prigglitz, the Pfarrkirche is an ideal spot for quiet contemplation. When ascending towards the Bodenwiese and the Waldburgangerhütte cabin, there is a splendid view of the Sonnwendstein and the Maria Schutz Pilgrimage Church. The fourth unexpectedly grand view is the Jubilee Panorama View upon descending into Payerbach.
Starting point of the tour
Gloggnitz Castle
Destination point of the tour
Payerbach railway station
Route description WAB - Regional Route K: Gloggnitz Castle - Prigglitz - Payerbach
Regional Route K starts next to the information board in Gloggnitz Castle. We head down the Kirchensteig (also the Bahnwanderweg), cross the Bundesstraße at the Stiegenwirtshaus inn and follow the main road into the centre of Gloggnitz. Directly after the ascent to Gloggnitz church, we turn left into Adlergasse and cross the Schwarza river on a bridge of the same name before also crossing the railway tracks. At this point, we turn right into Untere Silbersbergstraße, then after around 10 minutes turn left onto a hiking path (marked in red) between houses. This takes us along several winding bends with wooden fences down the hill towards Silbersberg, then along the edge of a meadow and uphill to a crossroads. We follow the path left over the Silbersberg and the Zwickl wayside shrine (partially marked out in blue) with views of Gloggnitz. This route leads us north-west to a trail and in a curve towards the Zwicklkapelle. We now have views of the Rax, Hohe Wand, and the Bucklige Welt.
The path is followed to a road called “Auf der Wiese”, turning right at Gasthof Seelhofer onto the road to Prigglitz, and walk along the road towards the Waldburgangerhütte cabin until just before a wooden cow. We then take a sharp left-hand turn from the road and onto the ridge heading towards Bodenwiese (marked in red, also routes 10 and 11). From this point, we now consistently head uphill along forest paths to the Schwarzenbergaussicht view and continue to the Waldburgangerhütte cabin (route 11, marked in red, partially in blue). Above all, a short break at the Schwarzenbergaussicht is a boon for body and spirit. The next splendid view awaits at the Waldburgangerhütte cabin before the descent to Payerbach.
The descent to Payerbach starts opposite the hut. At this point we keep left and continue via Hochberger in the direction of Payerbach railway station. At the next forest road, we turn right and after a few metres switch over to a trail marked in blue and keep left heading to Payerbach. We cross over a forest road, follow the trail and head off to see the Jubilee Panorama View. From here, you can see over the whole Rax and Semmering areas.
When back on the path we continue downhill in the woods, and this route is secured with chains in some parts. We come across a paved road almost 300 metres below the Jubilee Panorama View, which takes us past Gehöft Hochberger and soon takes us to a forest path on the left-hand side. Shortly afterwards, we go over a paved road and follow the forest path, marked in blue, into the valley. We ignore the hiking path marked in green on the right-hand side. We hike along the road in two bends going downhill, before seeing Payerbach/Reichenau railway station in front of us. Go through the underpass for the last few metres and the station, the end of Regional Route K, is on the left-hand side. From here we can either head back home or spend a night at the Payerbacherhof. When at Payerbach railway station, a further stage of the Viennese Alps route starts via the water pipeline route to Naturfreundehaus Knofeleben, whilst Regional Route M heads to the Sonnwendstein via Maria Schutz., whilst going along the Alps trail there is the ascent onto the Rax and the Otto Schutzhaus as an alternative.
Directions
If you are travelling from Vienna go along the A2 to Seebenstein junction, then continue on the S6 as far as the Gloggnitz exit. Follow the B27 and turn off left onto Eichbergstraße just before the new railway bridge for the future Semmering Railway. If you are travelling from Graz follow the S35 to Bruck/Mur, continue to Gloggnitz via the S6, then continue as if travelling from Vienna.
Parking
Car parking is available at Gloggnitz Castle.
Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Gloggnitz railway station.
Gloggnitz Castle is ca. 20 minutes away from the station.
More information at www.oebb.at
