WAB - Stage 17: Pernitz - Waxeneckhaus

Description

“Mira” means beautiful! The Myra Falls are a magnificent natural display of bizarre rock formations, cascading water, and crystal-clear reservoirs at the foot of the Hausstein cliff. The Hausstein vantage point is located here, a great spot to relax and enjoy the views. The Kreuth vantage point at Gasthof Jagasitz is excellent for enjoying the view and to just relax. Every rock, every path, every bridge appears to be placed there with particular care and attention to harmony within nature. Small bridges lead over babbling streams, past spraying waterfalls, and through cool forests - a truly fairytale landscape with many mystical and fabled locations waiting to be discovered.

Starting point of the tour

Pernitz municipal office

Destination point of the tour

Schutzhaus Waxeneck

Route description WAB - Stage 17: Pernitz - Waxeneckhaus

This stage of the Viennese Alps route starts through the Biedermeiertal valley at Pernitz-Muggendorf railway station. After coming from the tracks we turn left at the railway building, head past the Feuerwehrhaus and reach the Bundesstraße. Continuing west, we go past the cemetery and turn right into Urhausstraße opposite Pernitz-Raimundviertel railway station. Signs guide us out of the village and just after the sign with the village name on it there is a spring which is a reminder for those who haven’t topped up their water bottles.

 

 

We head out along Blättertalstraße, discover what makes Ferdinand Raimund’s skull memorable and turn right at a small chapel after 15 minutes. Go past the centre of the Earth and a sculpture garden to enter a meadow and hike right up a rocky path in front of a newly built house. Signposts and red markings guide us steadily uphill through a shadowy forest up to a small hillock with a wayside shrine in the forest.

 

 

After a short drinks break, we hike down the marked trail downhill to Purbach. We cross the bridge and now walk slightly downhill along the paved road to Muggendorf. Keep left, cross the bridge, and carry on to the signposted Myra Falls. Just before the entrance, we cross over another car park and enter the Myra Falls (conservation charge of € 3.50 for adults and € 1.00 for children). We follow the cascades of Myra Falls over steps and bridges, enjoying the full splendour of such a natural sight. At the top of these wild waterfalls, Viennese Alps trail signs lead us away from the water and we ascend left towards Haussteinswiese. A detour to the Hausstein vantage point grants us views up to the Schneeberg.

 

 

We cross the northern edge of the Haussteinwiese and follow the hiking route downhill to Gasthof Karnerwirt. (July & August: closed on Tuesdays, between Easter and All Saints’ Day: closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays). We veer right to the reservoir, cross the Myrabach stream just before it, and cross the country road. This hike now continues towards Kreuth and Gasthof Jagasitz on a track past a public toilet. After a few minutes we leave the road at an information point describing how resin is obtained and wander slightly uphill to a forest path. The route then climbs and flattens out as we comfortably walk over meadows and through forests to the Kreuthsattel and Gasthof Jagasitz.

 

 

After a break, we hike alongside the chapel onto a gravel track and head towards the Waxeneckhaus. We cross an enclosure, follow the hiking path marked out in red, and arrive at the “Auf dem Hals” Schneerosenhaus. We directly cross the top of the pass and continue to ascend the gravel track. Going slightly downhill we turn onto a private path to the Waxeneckhaus at house no. 10. Our accommodation is reached after ascending for 20 minutes. Old tools for resin extraction can be seen at the Waxeneckhaus.