Buchberg circular trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7,39 km
Duration: 2:30 h
Ascent: 496 m elevation gain
Descent: 498 m elevation gain

The approximately eight-kilometre hike takes us from the well-known wine-growing village of Spitz and its wine landscape and idyllic woodland to the nature reserve and summit of the Buchberg, where a species-rich meadow with many valuable flowers (various orchids) awaits us. We now hike via the "Blaue Kreuz" to the legendary "Rote Tor", where we can end our hiking experience on a bench with a wonderful view of Spitz, the Tausendeimerberg and the Danube and a visit to the numerous wine taverns. The hiking trail is uniformly signposted with yellow signs throughout.

Starting point of the tour: Spitz, ferry or church square
Tour destination: Spitz, ferry or church square

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7,39 km
Duration: 2:30 h
Ascent: 496 m elevation gain
Descent: 498 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
6/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point223 m
Highest point688 m

Round tour
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

Description

safety instructions Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau: 140. We point out that the ascent to the summit of Buchberg is very steep.
Equipment Hiking boots, rainproof clothing, drinking water, as well as the Wachau hiking map are available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourism, www.wachau.at
Route description From the Spitz ferry, we head north and cross the B3, continue straight, then turn left at the next intersection and follow the road uphill until we see the late Gothic Mauritiuskirche (Church Square, 223m) on the right. At the church square, we turn right and then the first alley to the right (Schlossgasse), passing Schloss Spitz. At Hotel Garni, we reach the vineyards and go left uphill into the district Quitten. Here we go uphill to the right, always straight between vine terraces until we arrive at a junction with a bench on the right (turnoff to "Red Gate"). From here we see the "Red Gate", Hinterhaus castle ruins, Spitz, and the Danube. We keep left uphill and follow the wine path past apricot and apple trees to the forest edge. There we follow the middle forest path through an oak mixed forest uphill until the path soon crosses the "Red Gate Circular Trail". Now begins the final climb to Buchberg. We continue uphill, at the next junction we keep slightly left and then straight ahead until we reach the Buchberg nature reserve. Here a species-rich nutrient-poor meadow with many partially rare flowers (various orchids) awaits us.We walk along a stretch of the meadow until we find a bench left of the path that opens the view into the Spitzer Graben and to Mühldorf. Opposite to the right, a small path branches off to the summit cross (702m) with a wayside shrine and a wooden box with a summit book. Here we can take a quiet break, then return to the main path, go gently downhill to the right, and at the next junction keep left again. Soon we reach a meadow clearing where we follow a forest road downhill to the right. At the next junction, we keep left, always downhill, then go straight downhill at the Huthof junction. After a short time, we see a small brook on the left, which we cross downhill at the next junction. Soon after, we pass the "Blue Cross" (409m), where a bench invites you to stay. Here we meet the "Red Gate Circular Trail" again, following it downhill to the legendary "Red Gate" itself (297m). There we can again enjoy a view from a bench over the beautiful landscape around Spitz with its charming vineyards. We now keep right and reach the church square again via Rote Torgasse.
Parking Danube waterfront, train station or Schloss Spitz
Getting there A1 to Melk and via B3 to Spitz or via S5 or S33 to Krems and via B3 to Spitz.
Public transport Spitz can be reached by bus line 715 hourly from Melk and Krems railway stations, timetables: www.vor.at. A detailed timetable "Mobility in the Wachau" is available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourism. With the Wachau Railway, operating between April and November, Spitz is reachable from Emmersdorf or Krems: www.noevog.at. Other arrival and departure options: the Danube shipping www.ddsg-blue-danube.at. A Nextbike rental station (€ 1.-/hour) is located at the Spitz train station. Info at www.nextbike.at
Editor’s tip Attractions: Spitz Shipping Museum, Hinterhaus Ruins

Recommended period

Numerous dining and overnight options in Spitz invite you to visit. Who has opened where and when can be found in the Online Wine Tavern Calendar. Especially recommended are the businesses of the quality initiative Best of Wachau. www.bestof-wachau.at

The Spitz Tourist Information at Mittergasse 3a, 3620 Spitz a. d. Danube - on the Danube waterfront B3, T: +43(2713)2363, www.spitz-wachau.com is happy to assist with questions.

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026