Wachau World Heritage Trail 12: Rossatz-Unterbergern

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 13,90 km
Duration: 4:00 h
Ascent: 335 m elevation gain
Descent: 263 m elevation gain

The most beautiful Dürnstein view and the panoramic Bergerner Höhe await us on this tour. From Rossatz we hike through the nature reserve on the Toten Berg and over the Pemexel with a stopover at the Ferdinandswarte to the picturesque village of Unterbergern.

Starting point of the tour: Rossatz, church square
Tour destination: Unterbergern town center

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 13,90 km
Duration: 4:00 h
Ascent: 335 m elevation gain
Descent: 263 m elevation gain

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

Lowest point198 m
Highest point518 m

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

Downloads

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Rossatz to Unterbergern

The stage from Rossatz to Unterbergern combines natural Danube landscapes with panoramic mountain trails. From the winegrowing village of Rossatz, the trail leads between the Danube Pritzenau and orchards to an idyllic sandy beach on the Danube. The route continues through the Rossatz vineyards and the Toten Berg nature reserve into the tranquil forest landscapes of the Dunkelsteinerwald.

The ascent to Pemexel at 508 meters opens up wide views towards Krems, before the route continues over the Bergerner Höhe with its great views. A break at the Ferdinandswarte offers another panoramic point before the route reaches the stage destination of Unterbergern on quiet field and meadow paths.

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 snacks, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a heuriger calendar. You can find a list of equipment at www.welterbesteig.at under the category Service/Tips.
Route description We cross the church square in Rossatz, pass the town hall, and follow the path down to the right towards the orchards at the bottom. We pass the tennis court and at the next intersection continue straight ahead, cross the Danube cycle path and soon reach the Rossatz floodplain where we turn right. We now hike exactly along the floodplain and orchard border to the beautiful sandy beach with the bike ferry. Here there is a fantastic view of Dürnstein on the opposite Danube bank. Past the campsite, we reach Rossatzbach. At the village fountain at the other end of the street, we hike up to the main road B33 on the right. We follow the road a few meters to the right and then immediately turn left at the first junction. Our path now leads through the Rossatz vineyards. We pass the vineyards Frauenweingärten, Mugler and Goldberg and pass the ruined Biritor. Here in the Seegraben begins our ascent to the Pemexel in the Dunkelsteinerwald forest. After an initial large loop, we hike past the Toter Berg and reach after the last ascent the 508 m high Pemexel. From the wooded summit, we enjoy a view towards Krems-Stein. After the Pemexel, we reach a wide forest road. We go left and reach the Red Cross after 20 minutes, where we turn left. After half an hour, we cross the main road, walk briefly on the asphalt, turn left into the forest, and reach the Bergerner Höhe, where wonderful panoramic views await us. A short piece further, at the Donauleiten, we turn left and stroll along the forest edge. Next, the view from the Ferdinandswarte awaits us before we reach the stage destination Unterbergen.
Parking At the public parking lots in Rossatz (Mettener Platz near the church square or below the church square) or in the center of Unterbergern.
Getting there A1 to the Melk exit, then continue on B33 to Rossatz or from Mautern on the country road to Unterbergern
Public transport Travel to Rossatz is possible with the Wachau buses of line 720 Krems-Rossatz-Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems from the train stations Melk or Krems. Unterbergen can be reached by regional bus 489.There is a Nextbike rental station in Rossatz at the campsite, www.nextbike.atBike ferry Rossatz-Dürnstein: In April and October only Fri, Sat, and Sun, public holidays from 10:00 to 17:00. In May and September daily from 9:30 to 18:00. In June, July, and August Mon-Fri from 9:30 to 18:00, Sat, Sun, and public holidays from 9:00 to 18:30.
Editor’s tip 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.

Recommended period

Current weather in Rossatz

3° to 12°

Today, 04.03.2026

Fog

Wind speed1,0 km/h

3° to 12°

Tomorrow, 05.03.2026

Mainly clear

Wind speed1,5 km/h

Places to eat/opening hours

Best of Wachau: You can find the most renowned and recommended gastronomic and accommodation establishments in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau at Best of Wachau, www.bestof-wachau.at

In Rührsdorf 17 is the country inn Familie Essl, www.winzerstueberl.at , Tel: 02714/6384.

Karinas Gast-Stüberl (church square Rossatz), open all year, Tel: 0664 5385262

Overnight stays are possible in Rossatz, Rossatzbach, and Unterbergern.

Wine taverns are located in Rossatz, Rossatzbach. Please observe the current heuriger calendar

The stamp station is located in the center of Bergern near the bus stop.

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

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026