Tut Gut hiking trail at Jauerling Route 3

Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau: 140

Hiking boots, rainproof clothing, and drinking water. The Wachau hiking map is available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourism, www.wachau.at.

The hike leads from the parking lot at the top station of the ski lift first to the viewing platform. This is open daily from April until around All Saints' Day from 09:30 to 18:00, in winter only on weekends and public holidays from 11:00 to 18:00 and also by appointment. After the viewing platform, we cross the Turnerwiese and then turn left. After a short distance, we leave the forest road and continue our hike to the left on a forest path, which later leads back to the forest road. At the Nonnersdorfer Cross, the route continues towards Maria Laach. Shortly before Maria Laach, the path takes us around the Klaffergraben and then to Zeißing. From Zeißing, we walk along the edge of the forest towards Gießhübl. At the junction to Gießhübl, our hiking trail turns left again and we follow route 25 back up to the Stauferhütte, right at our starting point, the parking lot at the ski lift's top station.

Parking (free) is available at the Nature Park House and at the top station.

By car from the West Autobahn in Melk on the B3a towards Emmersdorf, then take the third exit at the roundabout (towards Dürnstein, Krems) on the B3 to Schallemmersdorf, turn left to Maria Laach on the L7145, from Maria Laach to Oberndorf on the L7133, then towards the viewing platform up to the top station. Destination is Oberndorf am Jauerling (mountain hut).

The best time to visit Oberndorf by public transportation is on the weekend. Although there is one bus per day from Melk (take the train to Melk Station), it runs only during the school year.

For an eco-friendly trip to the Naturpark-Gasthaus, take the bus and train: www.vor.at

We recommend the Jauerling farmers' market run by the Maria Laach farmers at the Kerblerhaus in the center of Maria Laach (every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

At the Hoher Jauerling, the nature park offers a themed trail. The trail, titled “Above Us, the Wide, Wide Sky,” is perfect for a stroll and provides information about the Jauerling, the nature park’s municipalities, and the region’s flora and fauna. Even younger hikers will find it motivating to stroll through the forest along the 10 stations, which can be explored using an app. For more information (including a map and audio sample), visit http://www.naturpark-jauerling.at/gipfel-jauerling/.

Just below the Jauerling summit, at 915 meters above sea level, lies the Nature Park House—Gasthaus am Jauerling. From the Wachau Terrace, you can enjoy the highest and most beautiful view of the Danube.

The Naturparkhaus is car-free and has traffic-calming measures in place. The final ten minutes to the Naturparkhaus must be covered on foot (the parking lot for the inn is approximately 500 meters away). The innkeepers, Nicole Pirker and Ludwig Biebl, serve hot meals throughout the day. We ask groups and/or bus tours to register in advance. The cuisine and the work of the proprietors are characterized by regional quality and products, as well as close collaboration with producers from the nature park. www.naturpark-gasthaus.at