Travel Tips

The walk along the Semmering rail line - die Bahnwanderweg goes from Gloggnitz to Semmering. The actual railroad itself was finished in July of 1854. There are 16 bridges and 15 tunnels along the section of line that was developed by von Ghega and the tracks account for 28 km - the trail covers a bit more ground. The track was originally a single line, but was doubled before WWII and electrified in 1959. The train line is scenic to ride as is the trail to walk. The line is listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site.

I started out from the train station in Semmering. The train station is much bigger than what is needed today. The station at one time had a lot more activity than you see today. Many trains pass along the line as it is the main line between the Slavic countries to the south, Italy to the SW and Vienna, not to mention the main line between Vienna and the Austrian south - Graz, Klagenfurt, etc.. A short distance brings you to the little train stop at Wolfsbeerg which is just below the huge edifice of the BahnHotel, high above on Hochstrasse. The trail then goes around the Doppelreiter Kogel - a short side trail will take you atop to the observation tower. From the top, 919m, you get a good view over much of the ground to be covered, from Semmering.....

.... over the Kaltes Rinne and Adlitzgraben - to the long hill of the Kreuzberg. The railline can be seen with small toylike trains going through the 'galleries' inset into the Weinzettlwand directly across the canyon. In the distance above the Kaltes Rinne, rises the Rax, while its neighbor, the Wiener Schneeberg is seen to the right, hanging above the Kreuzberg.

A little farther, you come to the Wolfsberg Kogel from on which is the 'Zwanzig Schilling Blick' - the 20 Schilling view. The Rax rising above the tall white stones of the Pollereswand and the deep canyon of the Kaltes Rinne below. The bridges and tunnels in evidence as you slowly watch the trains creep along the line.

After a long traverse around a small valley called the Rotgraben...

.... the trail descends to follow a road under the impressive viaduct crossing the Kaltes Rinne, deep under the imposing front of the Pollereswand. An interesting side trail (with a good map and sense of direction) can take one up to the imposing rock formations up the steep walled canyon to the Falkenstein and farther over to Orthof where you can either go higher to the Speckbache Hutte (food and accomodations) or drop back down the Kaltes Rinne and rejoin the Bahnwanderweg.

The Bahnwanderweg comes to the small village of Breitenstein, deep at the head of the Adlitzgraben. The train station is up the northern slopes. From here you can go up to the Speckbach Hutte - about a steep hour - or continue along the train line. Shortly after leaving the town, the train goes into a tunnel - the dramatic Weinzettlwand portion, where from the train, you peer out through windows in the rock to the south.

A short side trail will take you atop the Weinzettlwand from where you have a grand view back up to Semmering or deep down into the Adlitzgraben some 200 meters below.

From the Weinzettlwand, the Bahnwanderweg continues along the walls of the Adlitzgraben, contouring several small canyons to the next station in the village of Klamm. Yet another sidetrip, will take you atop the eastern end of the Kreuzberg and farther to the farm at Althammerhof.

Here, if they are open, is a chance to try some very nice homemade schnapps, made from the different fruits and herbs of the area. It is also a spot to try most - an apple cider.