Wachau World Heritage Trail 12: Rossatz-Unterbergern

Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau:140

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.

Cross the church square in Rossatz, pass the town hall, and at the lower end, the trail turns right and descends toward the orchards. The trail passes the tennis court and continues straight ahead at the next intersection; it crosses the Danube cycle path and, a short distance later, reaches the Rossatz floodplain, where it continues to the right. The hike now follows the exact boundary between the floodplain and the orchards to the beautiful sandy beach with the bike ferry. Here you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of Dürnstein on the opposite north bank of the Danube. Passing the campground, the trail heads toward Rossatzbach. At the village fountain at the other end of the street, the trail turns right and heads uphill to the B33 main road. Follow the road to the right for a few meters, then turn left immediately at the first fork. The trail now winds through the Rossatz vineyards. The route passes through the vineyards of Frauenweingärten, Mugler, and Goldberg and goes by the ruined Biritor.

Here in the Seegraben, the ascent to the Pemexel in the Dunkelsteinerwald begins. After an initial wide loop, the hike passes the Toten Berg and, following a final climb, reaches the 508-meter-high Pemexel. From the forested summit, there is a view toward Krems-Stein. After Pemexel, you’ll reach a wide forest trail. The trail turns left and, after 20 minutes, reaches the Red Cross, where you turn left. After half an hour, you’ll cross the main road; walk briefly on the paved road, then turn left into the forest toward Bergerner Höhe, where magnificent distant views await. A short distance further on, at the Donauleiten, turn left and follow the edge of the forest. Next, enjoy the view from the Ferdinandswarte before reaching the stage’s destination, Unterbergen.

At the public parking lots in Rossatz (Mettener Platz near the church square or below the church square) or in the center of Unterbergern.

A1 to the Melk exit, then continue on B33 to Rossatz or from Mautern on the country road to Unterbergern

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.at

Bike 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.

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.