Climb up the Rax through the Höllental via the “AV-Steig” and descent via cable car
This tour leads through the exciting Höllental up to the Rax. Although the tour is long, it is fairly easy (cat. B, I-) and thus suitable for beginners. But due to the exciting scenery, it is also enjoyable for experienced persons. And the best part is that the via ferrata exits at the popular Höllentalaussicht where even beginners are celebrated as heros by other hikers that reached this point via other means (e.g. cable car).
The tour starts at the small parking in front of the tunnel at the Höllental (GPS: 47.746355, 15.763405) where a small trail leads towards the Schönbrunnerstiege. Following a long hiking trail through the Höllental finally takes you to a long iron ladder that is the beginning of the “Alpenverreinssteig” (via ferrata).
This tour assumes the availability of two cars whereas the first car is parked at the valley station of the Rax cable car (end of the tour). The other car will be parked at Höllental, the starting point of the tour.
Please note that a full “Klettersteigset” (via ferrata set) is required for this tour!
Tour Description
| 00:00 | Start at the parking lot Höllental (before the tunnel). The trail starts opposite of the parking lot. |
| 00:01 | Follow the trail parallel to the street (keep right 2x). |
| 00:05 | Follow the Schönbrunnerstiege (iron stairs). |
| 00:07 | Follow the blue route through the Höllental. |
| 00:40 | Stay on route (straight) at the crossing to Hoyosteig. |
| 00:45 | Keep right at the crossing to Teufelsbadstubensteig. |
| 00:50 | Follow the trail by keeping right at the crossing to Gaislochsteig. The trail now leads through a scree slope towards the AV-Steig. |
| 01:00 | The iron ladder marks the starting point of the AV-Steig. Put on your via ferrata set (“Klettersteigset”) here. |
| 01:55 | Cross the traverse (Querung). |
| 02:45 | Climb up the channel (Rinne). |
| 03:00 | Turn left and climb up the iron ladder at the crossing to the exit of the Gustav-Jahn-Steig. |
| 03:50 | Exit the AV-Steig at the Höllentalaussicht and enjoy the awesome view from there. This is also a very good place to enjoy the self-brought refreshments (). |
| 04:45 | Take a well-deserved rest and break at the Ottohaus (). |
| 05:45 | Return back to Praterstern and follow the route on the right side (marked red) towards the cable car mountain station. |
| 06:15 | Descend via the cable car to the parking. |
At a glance
| Level | easy-moderate |
| – Via Ferrata Category | B |
| Technique | |
| Shape / Fitness | |
| Experience | |
| Scenery | |
| Best time in the year | |
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General Tour Data
| Area: | Rax/Schneeberg Group, Lower Austria, Austria | |
| Distance: | 10km | |
| Ascent: | 1100m (3h 20min) | |
| Descent: | 1091m (2h 20min) | |
| Highest Pt: | 1646m | |
| Lowest Pt: | 580m | |
| Duration: | 4h 30min (without breaks) 6h 15min (with breaks) |
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| Stop/Rest: | Ottohaus (1644m) or Berggasthof Rax (1545m) |
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| Equipment: | Via ferrata set incl. helmet Backpack with standard hiking equipment Snacks and enough water Sun & Weather protection Camera |
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| Topo/Map: | Alpenvereinssteig |
| Download GPX | ||
| O | Tour at outdooractive.com |
Tour Diary
2020-10-10 08:30
| Weather: | Cloudy, partly sunny | |
| Participants: | Stefan, Amelie, Marion, Saskia, Thomas | |
| Activity: | Suunto | |
| Comment: | Thomas and me combined the tour with the Kronich Eisenweg via ferrata (C/D) while the girls were doing a break at the Ottohaus. |
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