Via Ferrata: “Rax via Alpenvereinssteig (B) & descending with cable car”

Climb up the Rax through the Höllental via the Alpenvereinssteig (via ferrata). This beautiful but long via ferrata (category B) is suitable for beginners with good condition but also for experienced persons who want to enjoy the amazing view.

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  
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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)
Stop/Rest: Ottohaus (1644m) or
Berggasthof Rax (1545m)
Equipment: Via ferrata set incl. helmet
Backpack with standard hiking equipment
Snacks and enough water
Sun & Weather protection
Camera
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.
 
 

2020-05-30 09:15

Weather: Cloudy, foggy, rain
Participants: Stefan, Hannes, Herbert, Nader
Activity: Suunto
 
 

2017-10-26 10:20

Weather: Partly cloudy, some snowfields
Participants: Stefan, Hannes, Herbert, Nadja
Activity: Suunto
 
 

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