Sonnenpromenade - "Feel Good Circular Route"

We start the Payerbach "Feel Good Circular Route" via the Sonnenpromenade at the municipal office or at the pavilion on Dr. Coumontstraße towards Reichenau.(Variant: we can also walk through the Payerbach Park, past the pavilion and continue on the back of the outdoor pool along the asphalt track of the ice shooters)

From the family-friendly outdoor pool we continue along the street to the shady park area, where we can admire the miniature anniversary house and a small weather station. (Here a playground also awaits our little guests, where - as an alternative - a narrow path runs next to the Schwarza river behind the minigolf course and the tennis courts and meets again near the viaduct in front of the Naturfreundeheim with Dr. Coumontstraße)

If we stay on Dr. Coumontstraße, the path leads past the historic villas, the minigolf course, and the tennis courts up to the Schwarza Viaduct, the longest viaduct of theWorld Heritage Semmering Railway. Here we cross the Schwarza river on the Ghegasteg, a wooden construction by pioneers of the Austrian Armed Forces. (In the middle of the bridge there is a bench to rest so we can calmly enjoy the wonderful view of the Rax massif and downstream the view of the Geyerstein and the Grillenberg with its show mine)

After the wooden bridge, we now cross the main road at the pedestrian crossing. From afar, the red and white barrier marking the "Vinoduct" can already be seen. In front of this architectural highlight of the Payerbach viaduct (which can also be visited by prior arrangement), the 1.5 km long route, the "short round" of the "Feel Good Circular Route," leads back via Anton Weiser Straße to Bahnstraße. If we now turn right and walk past Hotel Hübner/Payerbacher Hof over the intersection, we immediately return to the starting point of the "Short Round".

The "longer variant" takes us directly past the "Vinoduct" along the unpaved footpath. This leads us along the "Bahnleiten" and an impressive nature garden including bees andchickens, past Baurat Schneider Straße. (Alternatively, we can initially stay on the water supply path or Anton Weiser Straße and then turn uphill into Baurat Schneider Straße towards Geyerhof, where both paths meet again before the railway underpass)

From here you can also take a small detour to the historic Payerbach train station, where a small marked path branches off. (Besides the architecture of the station building and much more, there is also an old steam locomotive here which is very popular with our little guests!)

The "Feel Good Path" now leads us straight through the Geyerhof underpass uphill. (Immediately left after the underpass we reach the station of the Höllental museum railway via stone steps, which runs seasonally between Payerbach and Hirschwang)

We walk along the street, past peaceful cattle pastures with suckler cow husbandry and Scottish Highland cattle, and keep right at Geyerhof, leaving behind the agricultural and forestry operation we previously passed through. Now we are on the Sonnenpromenade, which offers an unusually beautiful view of the Payerbach valley towards Gloggnitz, Semmering, Kreuzberg, Gahns, and the mighty Rax. After a short rest on one of the many benches along the Sonnenpromenade, we continue walking into Werning. Now it goes gently downhill. (Immediately after the "Werning-Platzl" there is the possibility to hike along the road to the well-signposted "show mine," which is open from May to October)

Continuing over the railway crossing, we go to the "Werning Chapel" where we turn right onto Werningweg and follow it to Schulgasse. Walking along Schulgasse past the primary and new Lower Austrian secondary school, we reach Bahnstraße. We keep left, walk past Payerbacher Hof/Hotel Hübner, cross the traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing and the bridge, and reach our starting point of the circular route again at the municipal office or pavilion.

Here at the town square you will also find the popular Alber confectionery. An ideal place to treat yourself to tea or coffee and perhaps a delicious pastry or an ice cream after our walk!

Sneakers or otherwise good, comfortable footwear

This walk is particularly suitable for children due to the slight elevation and terrain. However, since cars must be expected again and again in certain areas, please never let your children run unsupervised and alone!

In winter, this path is not cleared in the area/section from the "Vinoduct" (Anton Weiser Straße) along the unpaved path up to the railway underpass ("Geyerhof underpass"). That means in case of snow or ice, depending on the conditions and your own judgment, it is recommended to take the variant via the water supply path to the Baurat Schneider Straße intersection and then continue to the railway underpass.

If coming on the South Autobahn from Vienna or Graz, take the Semmering exit at the Seebenstein junction, continue along the S6 Semmering motorway, take the Gloggnitz exit and then continue towards Payerbach/Reichenau (Rax area).

At the only traffic light intersection in Payerbach, turn (left) and cross a bridge. You are now at the town square where you will find numerous parking options.

Train: ÖBB station / Payerbach-Reichenau. The next main railway junction is Wiener Neustadt. For more information on timetables, visit www.oebb.at;

Bus: Retter lines 1746, 1748, 1746/48 run in and to Payerbach; timetables can be accessed at http://www.retter-linien.at/.

Parking is available, among other places, at the pavilion in the town center.

www.payerbach.at

Vienna Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Since this path is very well lit, it can also be walked well in the evening.

Tip: in the evening, additionally use a flashlight or headlamp for better visibility or wear clothing with reflectors.