Matras-Warte und Schöpfl-Schutzhaus
Lodge / hut-
Schöpfl - Refuge©
Your stay
The Schöpfl shelter is a refuge run by the ÖTK (Austrian Tourist Club) on the Schöpfl, the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods in Lower Austria.
At 893 m, the Schöpfl is the highest mountain peak in the Vienna Woods. In a volume on the monarchy published by Crown Prince Rudolf, the Schöpfl is praised as a special panoramic mountain. The ÖTK refuge is located at 870 m, just below the summit (878 m above sea level) and in the immediate vicinity of the Matraswarte (893 m above sea level), which was built in 1898. The Leopold Figl Observatory for Astrophysics with Austria's largest reflecting telescope is just 750 m away.
Location
Travel writers have been praising the view from the Schöpfl, the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods, since "prehistoric times". From the Matraswarte on the summit, you can see as far as the elevations of the Waldviertel, Ötscher, Schneeberg and the Danube valley.
Chronicle of the hut
The Schöpfl refuge, situated on the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods, was inaugurated on 12.8.1906. One year later, the house was given the name "Franz-Krebs-Haus", named after the then chairman of the ÖTK Wienerwald section, Franz Krebs. After an extension in 1911, the shelter burned down in November 1920. A stone successor building was inaugurated on September 16, 1923. It was destroyed by artillery fire in April 1945. After the war, a third shelter was built from parts of barracks and opened on October 16, 1949. Construction of the current Schöpfl shelter began in 1997 and the inauguration was celebrated in time for the 100th anniversary of the nearby Matras-Warte on October 11, 1998.
Matras lookout (former Schöpfl lookout)
Only 100 m (5 minutes) to the west is the Franz-Edurard-Matras-Warte, built in 1898.
Summit (893 m)
The Schöpfl is sometimes overcrowded from spring to fall because mountain bikers and mountain runners strive to reach its highest point during competitions. In late fall and winter, however, it is reserved for hikers. When the branches and needles of the trees are thickly covered in glistening ice crystals, you hike through a magical and enchanted landscape.
Ascents
A very beautiful and shady hike for the whole family in summer: From Schöpflgitter, continue straight on by car to the Gasthof-Forsthof inn located on a saddle. About one kilometer before, there is also a possibility to tackle the Schöpfl via the "Unterer Pensionistensteig". The shortest ascent from the parking lot at the Gasthof-Forsthof leads past the Icelandic Horse Center and up the Heinrich-Gith-Steig (steep forest ascent) in comfortable serpentines to the Schöpfl shelter. There is a spring with drinking water where the Gith and Pensionistensteig trails meet. A little longer, but less steep, you reach the Schöpfhütte and the summit of the Schöpfl on the so-called "Pensionistensteig". Walking time: 50 to 60 minutes.
- from Forsthof or the Rastbanksattel 1 hour each way
- from Sankt Corona am Schöpfl 1 - 1½ hours
- from Laaben, Wöllersdorf, Schöpflgitter or the Klammhöhe 2 hours each way
- from Innermanzing or Klausen-Leopoldsdorf 2½ hours
- from Kaumberg 3 hours
- from Pressbaum or Rekawinkel 4½ - 5 hours
Transitions to other huts
- Falkensteinerhütte, 40 meters ascent, 310 meters descent, 6 km, 1 hour
- Gföhlberghütte, 300 vertical meters ascent, 350 vertical meters descent, 9 km, 2½ hours
- Johann-Enzinger-Haus, 490 vertical meters ascent, 700 vertical meters descent, 15 km, 4 hours
