Wachau World Heritage Trail 06: Maria Laach-Aggsbach Markt (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7,17 km
Duration: :hour h
Ascent: 80 m elevation gain
Descent: 462 m elevation gain

Our hike is around 7 km long and leads across the Jauerling high plateau with its meadow landscape via the Schleinkhof estate down to the Danube to Aggsbach Markt.

Starting point of the tour: Maria Laach, marketplace
Tour destination: Aggsbach Markt, marketplace

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7,17 km
Duration: :hour h
Ascent: 80 m elevation gain
Descent: 462 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point207 m
Highest point596 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Maria Laach to Aggsbach Markt

The stage from Maria Laach to Aggsbach Markt begins at the striking ensemble of the Gothic pilgrimage church in Maria Laach. From here, the trail leads over the Litzendorfer Kreuzstöckerl to the small hamlet of Litzendorf and then describes a wide arc across the open high plateau of the Jauerling. This section of the World Heritage Trail is characterized by the tranquil mountain landscape and expansive views.

Past the remote Schleinkhof farm, which serves as a stamp station, a short ascent leads to a gentle descent towards the Danube valley. The route then leads steadily downhill to Aggsbach Markt on the Danube and concludes this scenically varied stage between the high plateau and the river.

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.

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 Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a 'Heurigen' calendar. A packing list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
Route description Our hike begins at the marketplace in Maria Laach. We follow the main street towards Zeißing, shortly after turn right and see the famous Gothic pilgrimage church on our right. Passing the cemetery, we leave the village and walk gently downhill through a Christmas tree plantation to the country road. After crossing the Klafterbach and the country road, we go uphill to the Litzendorfer Kreuzstöckerl. Shortly after, we reach the hamlet of Litzendorf, where we turn left and follow the main street through the village. Through blooming fields, our path leads in a wide arc over the Jauerling plateau. At the fork in the road, we keep diagonally right and walk to the old Schleinkhof farm. Here is also the stamp station of the stage. Then we descend through the forest with hairpin bends towards Aggsbach Markt. Over the so-called Schmuckstraße, we come to the first houses and continue into the village. Just before the railway tracks, we follow the street to the right and now walk towards the picturesque church. Continuing left, parallel to the Endlingbach, we shortly arrive at the marketplace in Aggsbach Markt, where our hike ends.
Parking In the center of Maria Laach or at the campsite or at the Venussaal in Aggsbach Markt.
Getting there A1 to Melk exit, continue over B3 to Maria Laach or Aggsbach Markt
Public transport Unfortunately, the villages are not directly connected by public transport. We recommend for your return journey to the starting point the taxi company Bernhardt from Spitz, Tel.: 02713/2222.There is a Nextbike rental station in Aggsbach Markt, www.nextbike.at
Editor’s tip We recommend a visit to the Jauerling farm shop in Maria Laach, which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week (with a small coffee corner).

Recommended period

Current weather in Maria Laach am Jauerling

5° to 10°

Today, 04.03.2026

Light rain shower

Wind speed1,3 km/h

4° to 10°

Tomorrow, 05.03.2026

Clear sky

Wind speed2,6 km/h

For dining and accommodation, we recommend Best of Wachau businesses: www.bestof-wachau.at. One Best of Wachau business is located in Maria Laach: Hotel-Ringl-Wachau, Am Hauptplatz 3, Tel. 02712/8303, www.hotel-ringl.at

Further accommodation options are available in Aggsbach Markt.

Other dining options:

Café-Pub Donauwelle, Aggsbach Markt: open year-round, Tel. 02712/373.

In Emmersdorf, there are several inns open year-round.

A wine tavern is located in Aggsbach Markt: Fam. Kurz. Tel. 0676/473 07 29. In Willendorf there is also the wine tavern Rudolf Schrutz, Tel. 02712/543

Please consult the current 'Heurigen' calendar

For easy and convenient planning of the routes, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Simply download for Android or iPhone.

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026