Wachau World Heritage Trail 04: Spitz - Mühldorf

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,95 km
Duration: 4:00 h
Ascent: 463 m elevation gain
Descent: 334 m elevation gain

This high-altitude hike from Spitz to Mühldorf takes us through the impressive Wachau side valley of Spitzer Graben - from the Wachau to the Waldviertel. The steepest and highest stone terraces, old oak/beech forests, winegrowing villages and wide and breathtaking views of the Spitzer Graben, the Danube and the Jauerling await us.

Starting point of the tour: Spitz, Kirchenplatz (church square)
Tour destination: Mühldorf, Marktplatz (market square)

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,95 km
Duration: 4:00 h
Ascent: 463 m elevation gain
Descent: 334 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point223 m
Highest point442 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Spitz to Mühldorf

The stage from Spitz to Mühldorf leads from the traditional wine-growing village of Spitz in the heart of the Wachau into a varied cultural landscape of vineyards, forests and quiet valleys. Via the striking wine and panoramic mountains of Tausendeimerberg and Setzberg, the route opens up into the impressive stone terrace wine landscape of the Spitzer Graben, one of the most characteristic wine-growing areas in the region. Magnificent vineyards, sparse oak and beech forests as well as several rest huts run by the Marivino association accompany this scenically diverse section.

Via Muthstall and Niederranna, the route continues past the Romanesque Oberranna Castle, an important example of medieval architecture. Along the Rannabach stream, the trail leads down into the valley, past the Kalvarienberg and gently downhill along the Ötzbach stream to Unterranna. Finally, the stage destination of Mühldorf is reached, nestled in a tranquil valley landscape and an atmospheric end to this nature-rich hiking stage.

Hiking along the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail reveals step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along finely curated World Heritage spots, the defining World Heritage highlights become visible - the interplay of historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, extraordinary natural spaces and the Danube as a shaping element.

For a carefree all-round offer, including luggage transportation, tastings and transfer services, we recommend booking one of the versatile hiking packages.

Thanks to good rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is easy. A dense network of public transport in the region ensures that all stages can be easily reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.

The Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality. This certification stands for high quality standards in terms of route guidance, signposting, safety and infrastructure and confirms the World Heritage Trail as a reliable and high-quality hiking offer in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Equipment Hiking boots, raincoat, enough to eat and drink, a trail map and maybe a list of open taverns. You can find an equipmentlist on www.welterbesteig.at section service/tips.
Route description The hiking tour starts at church square in Spitz and you follow Friedhofgasse (cemetery alley) westwards. At the nature park „BIOthek“ you turn left into a narrow path leading up to Tausendeimerberg. On top you get a great view of picturesque Spitz and of course the river Danube. On the right side along a gravel path through the vineyards you walk down to district Quitten. Here you stay left and in Radlbach you are turning right and get into the wonderful vineyards at the Setzberg (hill). To the left making a big bend, the way leads along nature monument Setzberg to the first rest hut of association „Marivino“. At the back of the hut the way leads left down the „Laabener Graben“ (ditch) and you reach the restplace and stamp station of winery Helmut Donabaum. There you keep right and walk towards nature monument Vogelsang (birdsong) on a paved wine trail, also precious dry grassland and picturesque stone terraces are to be seen.At a wayside shrine you turn left and after a few minutes you get into the vineyards. You keep following the track uphill and reach the end of the vineyards. Now you follow the path until Zornbergweg (walkingway). A little time later Zornberghütte (rest hut) invites you for a rest. Its open from May to October only on Sundays from 11a.m. till 4.p.m. run by a winegrower of the association „Marivino“. Afterwards you follow the way through a natural oak wood and pass the third rest hut and the weather cross. At the crossing at vineyard Eichberg you turn right going on to Muthstall. At the village you cross Bengelbach (creek) via a little bridge and walk uphill to Niederranna. Passing the pictureque Baroque castle „Prandhof“ and the church you walk through the village and follow the street leading to castle Oberranna. You enter the garden of the castle and walk to the gate. In front of the gate you turn left and follow the the castle track to Mühldorf. Via the „Florianistiege“ (stairs) you reach market square with the mill wheel.
Parking At the trainstation or at the castle in Spitz or in the center of Mühldorf.
Getting there Highway A1 until exit Melk, following B3 to Spitz or via B3 and B217 to Mühldorf.
Public transport The villages can be reached 7 days a week by public transportation (Wachau buses). Its possible to get back to the start of the tour.Spitze is connected with Krems and Melk seven days a week with hourly operating buses of the line WL1(from trainstation Krems via Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk trainstation). More information: www.vor.atSpitzer Graben (WL 718 connection between Spitz and Mühldorf) operates from Spitz departing every two hours. Info at: www.vor.atOn weekends and public holidays a shuttle bus service with fixed tours operates as well with stops in Spitz and Mühldorf. It has to be called one hour prior of departure. Phone: 0043 810 810 278 to make reservation and more info at www.naturpark-jauerling.atWachautrain operates on weekends and public holidays (3 times a day). More information: www.noevog.atStations for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) are located in Spitz and Mühldorf(market square). More information: www.nextbike.atTimetable ferry Spitz to Arnsdorf: March to October. The ferry is not operating on weekends during winter time. More information: www.spitz-wachau.at or here.
Editor’s tip At the nature park „BIOthek“ close to the „Tausendeimerberg“ in Spitz regional products from organic farming are available. Info: www.naturpark-jauerling.at ; Phone: 0043(0)2713/72935.At the rest station of winery Helmut Donabaum you find a fridge filled with wines and juices and also a bench to rest accessible from May 1st till October 31st: www.weingaertnerei.at Wine and hiking experience „Zornberghütte“: Every Sunday from May 1st till October 31st this restplace with its great views is catered by one of the members of association „Marivino“ offering regional products (wines, juices and fresh water). More information: www.marivino.at

Recommended period

Current weather in Spitz

4°

Today, 03.03.2026

Clear sky

Wind speed1,0 km/h

3° to 13°

Tomorrow, 04.03.2026

Cloudy

Wind speed0,8 km/h

For restaurants and accommodation we recommend „Best of Wachau“ businesses: www.bestof-wachau.at. You find „Best of Wachau“ members in Spitz and Mühldorf.

Further opportunities for restaurants, taverns and cafes and opening hours:

Several restaurants and cafes are located in Spitz and Mühldorf. In Mühldorf both restaurants (Gasthaus Siebenhandl, www.7handl.at; 0043(0)2713/8257, und Gasthaus Busch/Niederranna, 0043(0)2713/8201) are closed. Exception: In July,August and September Gasthaus Siebenhandl opens also on Mondays.

Please note the shortened opening times of restaurants in Spitz in winter: www.spitz-wachau.at

Taverns are in Spitz and Laaben (stamp station family Donabaum). Several taverns in Spitz are open during winter time. Please see the current calendar for opening hours (Heurigenkalender) at www.welterbesteig.at.

For easy and convenient organization of the tours its good to have the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal application. Just download for Android or iPhone.

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026