Red Gate Circular Route

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5,41 km
Duration: 2:00 h
Ascent: 276 m elevation gain
Descent: 274 m elevation gain

The hike leads from the church square in Spitz up to the legendary "Red Gate", a relic of an old defensive wall.

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

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5,41 km
Duration: 2:00 h
Ascent: 276 m elevation gain
Descent: 274 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
2/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point225 m
Highest point466 m

Round tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

Description

From the old wine-growing village of Spitz, with its many historic buildings, we start our approx. 5.5 km hike from the church square. The late Gothic "Mauritiuskirche" church from the 15th century is located here. We walk past the beautifully renovated Spitz Castle up to the legendary "Red Gate", a relic of an old defensive wall. From here, we have a breathtaking view over Spitz and its vineyards, which are already in the village. Through magnificent mixed beech and oak forests, we reach the natural Radlbach stream via the "Blue Cross", which accompanies us almost all the way to Spitz (Quitten district). Passing old winegrowers' houses with a view of the Hinterhaus ruins, we return via Friedhofsgasse to the church square, where we can end our hike in a wine tavern.

The hiking trail is uniformly signposted with yellow signs throughout.

safety instructions Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140.
Equipment Hiking boots, waterproof clothing, drinking water, as well as the Wachau hiking map and a Heurigen calendar, available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus, www.wachau.at
Route description We start our approx. 5.5 km long route from the church square in Spitz, head towards the secondary school and turn right around the church, following the small street north. At the next cross street, we turn right and follow the small asphalt road, first flat, then uphill to the legendary "Rote Tor" (Red Gate), from where we can enjoy a breathtaking view over Spitz, with some of its vineyards located within the town, and the Danube. We now go under the "Rote Tor" (297 m) and follow the left curve a little way on the "Roman Road," which soon turns into an asphalt road and then into a forest path, slightly uphill. We follow this straight ahead until shortly after a clearing we reach the "Blue Cross" (409 m). Here our route separates from the oncoming "Buchberg Circular Route." Before a bench, we turn left onto a small path that takes us up a bit higher in several switchbacks through a magnificent beech forest (when in doubt always follow the yellow dots).The path runs parallel to a slightly wider forest path that lies a little below. Soon we pass a feeding place on the left. About 20 m later, we cross the wider forest path straight ahead. 5 m after that, there is a stamp station on the right under a large pine tree beneath the signpost. After another 30 m, we reach a wider forest path, which we now follow left and at the next junction continue straight. The path now runs relatively flat to slightly downhill, and sometimes we can catch a brief glimpse of the Danube between the trees. At the next clearing, we can enjoy a view of the wayside shrine by the Red Gate and the Singerriedel vineyard. Shortly after, views open up to the Hofarnsdorf church and Mitterarnsdorf. A little later, a small path branches off right (parallel to the main path), which we follow for about 200 m. Once back on the main path, we follow it to the right and after another 5 m cross the Buchberg Circular Route straight ahead. Here a bench invites to linger and we can enjoy the wonderful view of Spitz.Through a mixed oak-pine forest, we hike straight ahead on a wonderful forest path (towards Radlbach/Spitz) until in a right curve we see some rock formations on the left. Behind these, a small box with a stamp station hangs on a pine tree. From here, we have a fantastic view into the Spitzer Graben and further left also the Danube. After the right curve, there is another bench. Shortly after this, the path splits in a Y-shape and we take the left downhill path (towards Radlbach/Spitz). After about 100 m, the path turns sharply left onto a small trail. In switchbacks, the small path winds through a mixed pine-beech forest.Soon we come to a hairpin bend to the right, which we follow. At the next junction, we go left downhill and after 30 m before Radlbach, again left, crossing it shortly after. Now we walk to the right of the stream and at the next fork once again follow the path to the left downhill (Spitz, church square 25 min.) and then straight ahead. Soon the path turns into an asphalt road. At the next intersection, we turn left and accompany the stream almost into the district of Quitten. Here, we have the opportunity to view the Hinterhaus ruins. At the next junction, we turn left and then right. This takes us back via Cemetery Lane to the church square.
Parking Spitz, Danube riverside, train station or Spitz Castle.
Getting there Westautobahn A1 to Melk and via B3 to Spitz or via S5 or S33 to Krems and via B3 to Spitz.
Public transport Spitz is reachable hourly by bus line WL715 from the Melk and Krems train stations, timetables: www.anachb.at. A detailed schedule "Mobile in the Wachau" is available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus. From April to November, Spitz is reachable by the Wachau Railway from Emmersdorf or Krems: www.noevog.at. Other arrivals and departures: Danube shipping www.brandner.at ; www.ddsg-blue-danube.at. Two Nextbike rental stations (€1 per hour) are located in Spitz at the train station and by the ferry. Info: +43(0)2742/22-9901 and www.nextbike.at.
Editor’s tip Sights: Spitz Shipping Museum, Hinterhaus Ruin, Historic Merchant’s Shop. There are nearly 30 Heuriger establishments in Spitz.

Recommended period

Numerous dining and overnight options in Spitz invite visitors. Information on when and where Heuriger are open can be found in the Online Heurigen Calendar. The establishments of the quality initiative Best of Wachau are particularly recommended. www.bestof-wachau.at

The Spitz tourist information office at Mittergasse 3a, 3620 Spitz on the Danube riverbank B3, phone: +43(2713)2363, www.spitz-wachau.com is happy to assist with questions.

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026