Rax & Schneeberg Views: Scenic Circular Hike from Payerbach

Hi everyone,
On Sunday, June 14th, 2026, I'm planning a scenic circular hike from Payerbach with beautiful views of Rax and Schneeberg.
This hike is all about walking and experiencing the landscape together, with plenty of time for conversation, short breaks, and simply being outdoors.

Hike Details:
Distance: approx. 12 km
Elevation Gain: approx. 550 m
Walking Time: approx. 5 hours
Difficulty: While the hike is technically mostly easy, please make sure you are comfortable with the fitness requirements of the distance combined with the elevation gain.

More information about the route:
https://www.bahn-zum-berg.at/rax-co/rundwanderung-payerbach/

Meeting Point & Travel
Meeting Time: 08:30 at Bahnhof Meidling, downstairs near the ticket machines and travel information centre, to organise the Einfach-Raus group tickets.
We will take the train departing at 09:05 directly to Payerbach.
If you arrive too late for the group ticket arrangement, please purchase your own ticket before boarding the train. For many participants, the VOR Freizeit-Ticket may be a good option.
We aim to catch the train departing Payerbach at 16:57 back to Vienna.

What to expect

• We will walk together at a relaxed, social pace and stay as a group throughout the day.
• This is not a race or a performance hike. As long as you have the basic fitness required for this route, the focus is on shared experience, conversation, and enjoying the landscape at an unhurried pace.
• We will take regular short breaks whenever useful.
• We do not plan to stop at huts or restaurants during the hike, so please bring your own food and drinks (approximately 2 litres of water recommended).
• Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, so basic rain protection is recommended.
• Please wear sturdy hiking shoes. Depending on recent weather, some sections may be muddy. For safety reasons, I reserve the right to refuse participation on the day if footwear is not suitable for the conditions.
• Please bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses), especially on warm or sunny days.
• Toilet facilities are available on the train and in Payerbach before and after the hike.

Important Note
⚠️ Disclaimer: As always, this is a free, private leisure activity. I am not a certified hiking guide, and participation is entirely at your own responsibility and risk.

I will send a weather update on Thursday evening to everyone who has registered.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Looking forward to sharing this hike with you!
Jörg

*The "Einfach-raus" Group Ticket
We will use a group ticket, and it requires some coordination:
How it works:
It is one ticket for a group of 2–5 people.
We will form these groups at the meeting point at 08:30; please be on time if you want to participate.
You must travel together for both the departure and the return journey.
You cannot split off and take a different train home if you are on a group ticket.
The cost:
The more people in a group, the cheaper it gets.
Expect to pay between €10 and €19 per person.
To be fair, we can either pay by specific group size or pool all the money and split it equally.
Cash is mandatory:
Please bring physical cash and coins.
We need to collect the money before buying the tickets to make sure everyone gets their change back quickly.
Information regarding this ticket:
https://www.oebb.at/en/tickets-kundenkarten/freizeit-urlaub/einfach-raus-ticket

If you prefer not to be tied to a group, or if you aren’t sure when you want to head back to Vienna, do not join the group ticket.
Instead, buy the VOR Freizeitticket; it costs €19.90 for the day in Lower Austria.
This will also be your option if you arrive too late for the group ticket or one group doesn't have enough participants for a group ticket.
Information regarding this ticket:
https://www.vor.at/en/tickets/ticket-overview/leisure-ticket