Waxriegelhaus

Waxriegelhaus is a mountain refuge (Schutzhaus) operated by the Naturfreunde Mürzzuschlag, located at 1,361 metres at the foot of the Rax on the border between Lower Austria and Styria. It is a year-round hospitality operation, offering food, its own line of six beer varieties under the Waxriegelbier name, and overnight accommodation in rooms and mattress dormitories for up to 60 people. The house is reachable from the Preiner Gscheid in about one hour and serves as a base for ascents of the Heukuppe (2,007 m), the highest summit of the Rax. In winter it is a starting point for several ski tours and has a toboggan run. Nearby huts include the Habsburghaus, Seehütte, Gloggnitzer Hütte, Otto-Schutzhaus, Schneealpenhaus and Karl-Ludwig-Haus. The current Waxriegelhaus was built in 1923/24 to replace the Hermannsschutzhaus, which had opened on 10 August 1919 and was destroyed by an avalanche on 16/17 January 1923. The new house was built 100 metres higher on an avalanche-safe site, with 155 m² of built area and mattress dormitories for about 60 people, and was ceremonially opened on 5 October 1924. After the Naturfreunde were dissolved under Austrofascism in 1934, the hut passed into the ownership of the Bergfreunde association. During the National Socialist period it was administered by the Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk, which belonged to the Hitlerjugend. After the Second World War the hut was taken over again by the re-founded Naturfreunde. A comprehensive modernisation took place in 1954. In 1956 the Waxriegelhaus was connected to the electricity grid, and in 1960 a spring was developed, providing an adequate supply of running water. Today the Waxriegelhaus functions as both a traditional alpine shelter and a small hospitality brand, with its own beer label and a varied food offering. It remains closely tied to the Naturfreunde, a long-established Austrian outdoor and nature organisation, and continues to serve hikers, climbers and ski tourers in the Rax region.

The history of the Waxriegelhaus begins with its predecessor, the Hermannsschutzhaus, which opened on 10 August 1919. That first hut was destroyed by an avalanche on 16/17 January 1923. In response, the Naturfreunde Mürzzuschlag built a replacement at a site 100 metres higher and safe from avalanches. The new Waxriegelhaus was constructed in 1923/24, with 155 m² of built area and mattress dormitories for about 60 people, and was ceremonially opened on 5 October 1924. After the dissolution of the Naturfreunde under Austrofascism in 1934, the hut came into the possession of the Bergfreunde association. During the period of National Socialism it was administered by the Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk, which was part of the Hitlerjugend. After the Second World War, the hut was taken over again by the re-founded Naturfreunde. A comprehensive modernisation followed in 1954. In 1956 the Waxriegelhaus was connected to the electricity grid, and in 1960 a spring was developed, ensuring an adequate supply of running water. The hut is located at 1,361 metres at the foot of the Rax on the Lower Austrian–Styrian border. It is reachable from the Preiner Gscheid in about one hour and serves as a base for climbing the Heukuppe (2,007 m), the highest peak of the Rax. In winter, several ski tours are possible and there is a toboggan run. Other huts in the area include the Habsburghaus, Seehütte, Gloggnitzer Hütte, Otto-Schutzhaus, Schneealpenhaus and Karl-Ludwig-Haus. Today the Waxriegelhaus is open year-round, offering six of its own beer varieties under the Waxriegelbier name, a varied food menu, and overnight accommodation in rooms and mattress dormitories for up to 60 people.

• 1960

  Spring developed, providing running water.

• 1956

  Connected to the electricity grid.

• 1954

  Comprehensive modernisation carried out.

• 1934

  After dissolution of Naturfreunde under Austrofascism, hut passes to Bergfreunde association.

• 1924

  Waxriegelhaus ceremonially opened on 5 October.

• 1923

  Hermannsschutzhaus destroyed by an avalanche on 16/17 January.

• 1919

  Predecessor Hermannsschutzhaus opened on 10 August.

Traditional alpine refuge and hospitality brand operated by the Naturfreunde, offering year-round food, its own beer and accommodation at the foot of the Rax.

• Waxriegelbier beer

  Six own beer varieties brewed under the Waxriegelbier name.

• Overnight accommodation

  Rooms and mattress dormitories for up to 60 people.

• Food service

  Varied food offering available year-round.

1. 1Waxriegelhaus – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Waxriegelhaus – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Waxriegelhaus homepagewaxriegelhaus.at