✅ Rax | Preinerwandsteig

From the Prein an der Rax bus stop (660m) near the Raxalpenhof, walk gently along forest roads first through meadows and then through the forest on the Holzknechtsteig to the Bachingerbründl (4.4 km; 1,287m). In the forest, impressive views occasionally open up along the path of the approaching Preinerwand rock wall, towering impressively over the tall trees. The Bachingerbründl is one of the few water sources on the Rax. Here the path branches. To the left is the Holzknechtsteig to the Haidsteig (via ferrata C/D), to the right is the Preinerwandsteig.

Soon after the Bachingerbründl, between the increasingly sparse trees, the first impressive gravel channels are visible. Luckily, on the further ascent, these only have to be crossed once back and forth. At this crossing, the faint path should be kept as well as possible, as the loose scree can easily cause a subjective "one step forward, two steps back" effect.

From the tree line (approx. 4.7 km; 1,400m), the path zigzags up steeply through dwarf pines next to the gravel channels. Here, imposing views open toward Heukuppe, Reichenau, or the rock and gravel formations lying before and behind, justifying short stops at safe spots.

In some places there are safety cables, but the path is mostly well worn and marked for rock crossings.

Impressive is the rock pinnacle before the exit (5.6 km; 1,763m), about 150m northeast of the Preinerwand Cross.

The descent goes via the Neue Seehütte (6.8 km; 1,642m), the Göbl Kühn Steig (red, moderate) to the Waxriegelhaus (9.5 km; 1,360m).

From here, it is 1.6 km to the Preiner Gscheid (1,065m).