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View of Spitz, Hinterhaus ruins
Photo: Donau Niederösterreich Robert Herbst, Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
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The high circular hike from Spitz to Mühldorf leads us through the impressive Wachau side valley Spitzer Graben. Steep stone terraces, old oak/beech forests, winegrowers' villages, the Romanesque Oberranna Castle, and wide views into the Spitzer Graben, over the Danube, and into the Jauerling Nature Park await us.
moderate
Distance 19.7 km
Duration5:30 h
Ascent657 m
Descent657 m
Highest point445 m
Lowest point202 m
The 6 km long Spitzer Graben in the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park is the most impressive side valley of the UNESCO Wachau World Heritage Site and the connection to the Waldviertel. Oberranna Castle near Mühldorf and the Hinterhaus ruin above Spitz on the Danube are the distinctive guards marking the entrances to the Spitzer Graben. The stone terraces and apricot orchards line the entire valley - the highest vineyards in the Wachau wine region (Ried Trenning, 450 m above Mühldorf) lie in the Spitzer Graben. The Marivino association has created a unique hiking trail through the Spitzer Graben with the Panoramaweg, which leads through vineyards, apricot orchards, and natural beech mixed forests and offers unforgettable viewpoints. The Panoramaweg connects Spitz Castle at Kirchenplatz with Oberranna Castle (privately owned) and the Hinterhaus ruin. Four rest huts (not serviced) on the east side of the trail provide information on viticulture, stone terraces, nature conservation, and apricots. In the main towns of Spitz and Mühldorf, as well as in the small villages of Gut am Steg, Vießling, and Elsarn am Jauerling, Wachau wine taverns and cozy inns await you. Direct farm purchases from winemakers, distillers, and apricot growers (harvest in July) in the Spitzer Graben are also possible at any time.
Author’s recommendation
Zornberghütte: On some Sundays in good weather from May 1st to October 31st, this scenic rest spot is managed by winemakers from the Marivino association (wines, juices, and water). Information about the Spitzer Graben and the panoramic hiking trail can be found at www.marivino.at.
Author
Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
Responsible for this content
Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
Verified partner
Difficulty
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
445 m
Lowest point
202 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profile
Safety information
The rest huts along the path are not serviced and there is no drinking water refill. The Zornberghütte is managed on some Sundays in good weather from May 1st to October 31st by winemakers from the Marivino association (wines, juices, and water) www.marivino.at.
Tips and suggestions
As a dining and accommodation option, we recommend the businesses of the Best of Wachau cooperation, www.bestof-wachau.at. Best of Wachau businesses are located in Spitz and Mühldorf. In Mühldorf, we recommend the Gasthaus Siebenhandl, www.7handl.at; 02713/8257. The Gasthaus Busch is located at Niederranna 15, reachable by phone at 02713/8201, and offers a small menu on weekends. Please note the opening hours of the Spitz gastronomy establishments at www.spitz-wachau.at.
Several wine taverns can be found in Spitz. Please consult the current wine tavern calendar at www.wachau.at
Public transport
The towns are accessible by public transport seven days a week (Wachau buses). Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible. Spitz is connected to Melk and Krems every hour, seven days a week, by bus line 715 (Krems station-Dürnstein-Weissenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk station). Line 722 (on-call bus) takes you from Spitz or Emmersdorf to Jauerling and the Weitental on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Between April and October, the Wachau railway runs between Krems and Emmersdorf, www.wachaubahn.at
Nextbike rental stations (EUR 1/hour) are located in Spitz, Mühldorf, and Elsarn, www.leihradl.at.
Directions
West Autobahn A1 to Melk exit, then via B3 to Spitz, or via B3 and B217 to Mühldorf
Parking
In Spitz, shipping museum, chapel Gut am Steg, Laaben, Elsarn, playground Vießling, market square Mühldorf.
