Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz
Hiking tour Starting from Hofarnsdorf, Castle
Wine-growing villages and Wachau wine landscapes, Roman paths and ruins, a nature reserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests and fantastic views from the Seekopf and Hirschwand mountains can be experienced on the 17 km stage from Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz.
Wine-growing villages and Wachau wine landscapes, Roman paths and ruins, a nature reserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests and fantastic views from the Seekopf and Hirschwand mountains can be experienced on the 17 km stage from Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz.
Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz
The stage from Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz connects traditional wine-growing villages with historic trails and stunning natural landscapes. Starting at the Wilhelminian-style Hofarnsdorf Castle, the route passes through Mitterarnsdorf and Bacharnsdorf, where a Roman watchtower serves as a reminder of the region’s early settlement. Following the course of an ancient Roman road, the trail continues into the Kupfertal valley and into the tranquil woodlands of the Dunkelsteinerwald.
Sweeping views from the Seekopf and the Hirschwand characterize this section, as does the Steinige Ries Nature Reserve with its largely untouched oak and hornbeam forest. Passing through vineyards, the trail finally descends to the idyllic winegrowing village of Rossatz, which provides a charming conclusion to this culturally and naturally rich stage.
As you hike along the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail, you’ll discover, step by step, why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along carefully curated World Heritage sites, the defining World Heritage highlights come into view—the interplay of the historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, extraordinary natural areas, and the Danube as a defining element.
For a hassle-free, all-inclusive experience—including luggage transport, tastings, and transfers—we recommend booking one of the versatile hiking packages.
Thanks to good rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is easily achievable. Within the region, a dense network of public transportation ensures that all stages can be comfortably 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 route guidance, signage, safety, and infrastructure, and confirms the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail as a reliable and high-quality hiking experience in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are no food stops or places to refill drinking water on this stage. The approach to Hirschwand is secured by ropes and climbing aids and includes a short climbing section. The trail in the Steinige Ries nature reserve between Seekopf and St. Lorenz requires sure-footedness and increased attention.
Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau: 140
Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as the Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips
This stage begins in front of the castle and the parish church in Hofarnsdorf. The trail runs parallel to the Danube downstream and is lined with magnificent views of the Hinterhaus castle ruins in Spitz, the Ried Atzberg, and the fortified church of St. Michael. At Bacharnsdorf, turn right. Passing the Roman watchtower—Burgus—you’ll reach the B33 main road: Here, turn left to the stamp station at the Pammer family’s wine tavern (approx. 150 m). The main trail turns right at the main road and then immediately left again after a few meters. Following the former Roman road (where the wheel ruts are still partially visible), the trail now leads along the Dürrenbach stream into the Kupfertal valley. You’ll pass the beautifully situated rest area with various stone sculptures (“romantic rock group”). In the middle of the valley, you’ll see the Türkentor on your right (the view is partially obscured by vegetation). This remnant of the Arnsdorf “village walls” dates back to the time of the Turkish Wars. At the 597-meter-high Kreuzberg (with a wayside shrine), you reach the end of the Kupfertal; there, turn left onto the Way of St. James. A forest road leads to Rührsdorfer Lake with a rest area; depending on its size, you can go around it on the left or right. After another 15 minutes or so, you’ll reach the 671-meter-high Seekopf, where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views from the modern observation deck. A short time later, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy another stunning view from the Hirschwand, which borders the Welterbesteig trail. However, this can only be reached via a climbing section with ladders (optional, about a 10-minute approach). Afterward, the descent to Rossatz begins. In the Steinige Ries Nature Reserve, the hike leads steadily downhill through what is in parts a pure oak forest with bizarre rock formations. Time and again, beautiful views of the Wachau open up. At the end of the Steinige Ries, the hike follows the longest dry-stone wall trail in the Wachau (several hundred meters long). Above St. Lorenz Church, the trail meets the Rossatz Panorama Trail and leads to the turnoff for the St. Lorenz–Weißenkirchen roll ferry (approx. 15-minute descent). Cutting across the vineyards, the high-altitude trail leads to the end of the stage at the church square in Rossatz. To wrap things up, enjoy a special view from the “Smaragdeidechse” lookout point directly above the church square before ending the stage at one of the wine taverns.
In Mitterarnsdorf at the fire station or at the public parking lots in Rossatz (Mettener Platz at the church square or below the church square).
A1 to Melk exit, continue on B33 to Hofarnsdorf or Rossatz
The places are accessible seven days a week by public transport. Return to the starting point of the hike is possible.
On the southern bank of the Wachau, bus line 720 runs Krems-Rossatz-Melk station or Melk-Rossatz-Krems. Rossatz and Hofarnsdorf are directly connected to the Krems and Melk train stations. On the northern bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Dürnstein-Spitz-Melk station or Melk-Spitz-Dürnstein-Krems. www.vor.at
Nextbike rental bike stations are located in Hofarnsdorf and Rossatz, www.nextbike.at
With the following ferries, you can quickly change the Danube shore:
- Cable ferry St. Lorenz-Weißenkirchen
- Cable ferry Arnsdorf-Spitz
- Bike ferry Rossatz-Dürnstein
The ferry times for changing the Danube shore can be found here.
According to the habitats Danube and dry grasslands there is an extremelysuccessful conservation brochure: “"Natura Trail Rossatz/Wachau",
www.nfi.at (section Natura Trails). The information folder is a good addition to the hiking tour.
For places to stop for refreshments and lodging, we recommend “Best of Wachau” establishments: www.bestof-wachau.at. “Best of Wachau” establishments are located in Rossatz.
Additional places to stop for refreshments/opening hours:
The stamp station is located at Pammer on the main road past the Roman burgus in Bacharnsdorf on the left, www.zumpammer.at; 0664/4205369.
In Hofarnsdorf/Mitterarnsdorf, there is only one inn: Gasthof “Zur Wachau,” owned by the Zeller family (Mitterarnsdorf 55). The inn is closed for the winter from November through March. www.gasthofzurwachau.at ; 02714/8217.
At Rührsdorf 17 is the Essl Family Country Inn, www.winzerstueberl.at, 02714/6384.
Karina’s Gast-Süberl (Kirchenplatz Rossatz), open year-round, 0664 5385262.
Wine taverns can be found in all the Arnsdorf villages (Hofarnsdorf, Bacharnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf, Oberarnsdorf), as well as in Rossatz and Rossatzbach. Please check the current wine tavern calendar.
Letzte Änderung: 18 Aug 2026
