Climb Rax (Preiner Wand) via the famous Hans von Haidsteig
The tour starts at the parking in Griesleiten (GPS: 47.683668, 15.741163) and first follows a forest road upwards till the Holzknechtsteig. Following this trail through the forest which crosses several streets finally leads towards a source. Turn left and continue following the Holzknechtsteig till reaching a scree field. After some easy climbing, the new Haidsteig ferrata starts on the right hand-side. After the first climb, the first climbing tree is reached. The ferrata now gets steep and exposed (traverse) till reaching the first plateau where the old Haidsteig is crossing (can be used as emergency exit). After another traverse, the second climibing tree is reached that leads up to another exposed traverse and then finally into the famous chimney which is also the crux of this ferrata. The chimney is very often wet and very slippery, so stands are getting rare or are very slippery. After passing the crux, the Schwarze Madonna (shrine) is reached.
The remaining ferrata is easier (B) and finally leads up to the top of the Preiner Wand.
The descent is then done by passing the Neue Seehütte and then continuing via the Göbl-Kühnsteig which leads towards the Waxriegelhaus. From there it is an easy hiking tour through the forest which leads back to the parking at Griesleiten.
| 00:00 | Start at the parking lot Griesleiten (GPS: 47.683668, 15.741163) and follow the forest road upwards (white-yellow-white marking). |
| 00:20 | At the crossing, turn right into the forest trail towards Haidsteig. |
| 00:25 | Cross the forest road and stay on the small trail upwards. |
| 00:35 | At the big crossing, keep left and turn into the Holzknechtsteig. |
| 00:45 | At the source, turn left and follow the Holzknechtsteig. |
| 01:00 | Break at the start of Haidsteig. Put on your via ferrata set and recharge energy.* |
| 01:10 | Climb up the first part of Haidsteig. |
| 01:15 | Climb up the first climbing tree, followed by an exposed traverse. |
| 01:40 | At the crossing between the new and old Haidsteig, turn left and pass by the traverse towards the second climbing tree. |
| 01:45 | Short break at the chimney and then climb up the crux. |
| 02:15 | Well deserved break (self-brought ) at the Schwarze Madonna. |
| 02:30 | Climb up (I) following the blue markings to the upper part of Haidsteig. |
| 02:40 | Follow the upper part of the via ferrata (B). |
| 02:55 | End of the Haidsteig. Turn right and follow the hiking trail up to the summit cross (Preiner Wand). |
| 03:00 | Celebrate victory with a self-brought “Gipfelbier” () and enjoy the view from Preiner Wand. |
| 03:15 | Follow the trail back towards the Neue Seehütte. |
| 03:25 | At the crossing, turn left and follow the trail towards the Neue Seehütte hut. |
| 03:30 | Well deserved break at the Neue Seehütte hut (). |
| 04:10 | Continue downwards (keep right, slightly up) at the Neue Seehütte and descent via the Göbl-Kühn-Steig. |
| 04:20 | Enjoy the view from the trail back towards the Preiner Wand and the Haidsteig. |
| 05:00 | Turn right and follow the path towards the Waxriegelhaus. |
| 05:05 | Well deserved break at the Waxriegelhaus ( ). |
| 06:00 | Go back the trail towards the crossing and this time follow the trail towards Griesleiten. |
| 06:25 | Follow the forest road back to the parking. |
| 06:45 | Back at the parking, end of the tour. |
| *: the Haidsteig is very often pretty crowded. Often you have to wait about 20 min to get started or in the chimney before being able to continue. | |
At a glance
| Level | difficult |
| – Via Ferrata Category | D |
| 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: | 11km | |
| Ascent: | 1001m (2h 30min) | |
| Descent: | 984m (1h 45min) | |
| Highest Pt: | 1751m | |
| Lowest Pt: | 864m | |
| Duration: | 5h 00min (without breaks) 6h 45min (with breaks) |
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| Stop/Rest: | Neue Seehütte (1643m) Waxriegelhaus (1361m) |
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| Equipment: | Via ferrata set incl. helmet Hiking shoes with good grip (on rock) Backpack with standard hiking equipment Snacks and plenty of water 2x “Gipfelbier” () Sun & Weather protection Camera |
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| Topo/Map: | Hans von Haidsteig (D) |
| Download GPX | ||
| O | Tour at outdooractive.com |
Tour Diary
2020-09-23 09:00
| Weather: | mostly sunny (some clouds) | |
| Participants: | Stefan, Bernhard, Hans | |
| Activity: | Suunto | |
| Comment: | Perfect conditions: We were basically alone on the ferrata (no waiting time) and the chimney was absolutely dry. |
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