Wachau World Heritage Trail 10: Aggsbach Dorf-Hofarnsdorf
Hiking tour Starting from Aggsbach Village, Hammerschmiede
The Kuenringer Fortresses and the present-day ruins of Aggstein, the magnificent Baroque pilgrimage monastery of Maria Langegg, the little-known Dunkelsteinerwald forest with the Buchental valley, and breathtaking panoramic views from the Hoher Stein and the Glauberkreuz overlooking the Arnsdorfer Rieden await hikers on the leg from Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf.
The Kuenringer Fortresses and the present-day ruins of Aggstein, the magnificent Baroque pilgrimage monastery of Maria Langegg, the little-known Dunkelsteinerwald forest with the Buchental valley, and breathtaking panoramic views from the Hoher Stein and the Glauberkreuz overlooking the Arnsdorfer Rieden await hikers on the leg from Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf.
Welterbesteig Wachau: From Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf
The stage from Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf leads along varied forest and field paths up to the impressive Aggstein castle ruins and continues into the peaceful landscapes of the Dunkelsteinerwald. Via the Baroque pilgrimage monastery of Maria Langegg with its museum, library and impressive frescoes, the route continues through the quiet Buchental. A short, secured passage provides access to the Hoher Stein, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Wachau with sweeping views over the Danube Valley.
The trail then descends steadily through the Buchental, accompanied by mighty beech stands on the opposite slope, to the Glauberkreuz resting place amid the Arnsdorf vineyards. After crossing with the Arnsdorf–Spitz cable ferry, the stage destination of Hofarnsdorf Castle is quickly reached, where this particularly varied stage in terms of landscape and culture comes to an end.
While hiking on the Welterbesteig Wachau, it becomes clear step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along carefully curated World Heritage Spots, the defining World Heritage Highlights become visible – the interplay of the historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural areas and the Danube as a formative element.
For an all-round carefree experience, including luggage transport, tastings and transfer services, booking one of the varied hiking packages is recommended.
Thanks to good rail connections, relaxed and sustainable travel to the Wachau is easy. Within the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.
The Welterbesteig Wachau has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification stands for high quality standards in route layout, signage, safety and infrastructure and confirms the Welterbesteig as a reliable and high-quality hiking experience in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The last ascent to Hoher Stein is a climbing section secured with ladders and ropes.
Emergency call Mountain Rescue Wachau: 140
Sturdy hiking shoes, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a local wine tavern calendar. You can find an equipment list at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
From the information point at the bus stop in Aggsbach Dorf, where our stage starts, we walk to the Hammerschmiede and continue to the intersection. Opposite the former inn "Zur Kartause" we turn left and begin the ascent to the Aggstein castle ruins. Passing the plague cross, we reach the parking lot of the Aggstein ruins and then continue hiking uphill through Herrenwald and Aggsteingraben. The ruins date back to the 12th century and were once home to the Kuenringers and the robber baron Georg Schreck vom Walde. Due to its impressive size and historical significance, the castle is one of Austria's most important castles. At the entrance in front of the ruins is the stamp station, and inside the ruins a tavern invites you to stop for a break (admission fee). After a refreshing rest, we follow a beautiful forest path to the Maria Langegg monastery, where we can visit the pilgrimage museum. From Maria Langegg we enter the Dunkelsteinerwald again. Our path leads past the Goldreut wayside shrine up to Friedrichsfelsen. Here a detour to the Hoher Stein is worthwhile, which we reach via a small climbing section. The Hoher Stein is one of the most beautiful viewpoints along the entire Welterbesteig Wachau and offers magnificent panoramic views.
In Buchental we then continue downhill to the beautifully situated rest area Glauberkreuz in the middle of the Arnsdorf vineyards (where the Welterbesteig Wachau was opened in May 2010). A few hundred meters later we reach the main road B33. We follow it briefly to the right and then immediately turn left again up to above the Arnsdorf-Spitz ferry on the Danube. We do not go down to the ferry but continue straight ahead. Parallel to the river our path leads into Hofarnsdorf, where we turn left towards the castle with the parish church. The castle, built directly on the Danube in the Biedermeier period, is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. We end the stage with a beautiful view of Spitz with the Tausendeimerberg, the Atzberg vineyard area, and the Red Gate on the opposite bank.
Parking available at the Kartause in Aggsbach Dorf or in the center of Hofarnsdorf
A1 to Melk exit, continue on B33 to Aggsbach Dorf or Hofarnsdorf
The places are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Return to the starting point of the hike is possible.
On the south bank of the Wachau, bus line 720 runs Krems-Rossatz-Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems. Aggsbach Dorf and Hofarnsdorf are directly connected to the Krems and Melk train stations. On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.at
Nextbike rental bike stations (EUR 1/hour) are located in Aggsbach Dorf and Hofarnsdorf, www.nextbike.at
You can find the ferry times of the Arnsdorf-Spitz ferry for changing the Danube bank here.
No ferry operation on weekends in winter.
Visiting the Kartause of the Hammerschmiede is possible from April to October. www.kartause-aggsbach.at
Leider können wir Ihnen zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt keine Wetterdaten für den Ort anzeigen.
For places to stop for a bite to eat or spend the night, we recommend the “Best of Wachau” establishments: www.bestof-wachau.at.
Other dining options/opening hours:
There are several inns in Aggsbach Dorf and Maria Langegg. Please note the reduced winter hours. In Hofarnsdorf/Mitterarnsdorf, there is only one inn, “Zur Wachau,” run by the Zeller family. The inn is closed for the winter from November through March. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. www.gasthofzurwachau.at; Tel. 02714/8217.
Restaurant/Hotel Residenz Wachau, Aggsbach Dorf: Open daily from April through October; Tel. 02753/8221. www.residenz-wachau.at
Aggstein Castle Ruins (stamp station): The castle ruins are open from late March through late November. www.ruineaggstein.at; Tel. 02753/82281.
De Daniels at the Aggsteinerhof, Donauweg 3, 3394 Aggstein (across from the large parking lot at the Aggstein Ruins, right on the Danube), closed Mon. and Tue. Tel. 02753/8350.
Wine taverns can be found in all the Arns villages: Hofarnsdorf, Bacharnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf, and Oberarnsdorf. Please check the current wine tavern calendar at www.welterbesteig.at
Letzte Änderung: 18 Aug 2026
