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Michaelerberg
Photo: Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
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ATTENTION: Complete closure of Welterbesteig stage 3 between St. Michael and Spitz Due to extensive forest maintenance and path restoration work in the Atzberg area, stage 3 of the Welterbesteig between St. Michael and Spitz is completely closed until further notice. The junction to Buschandlwand is also affected – these areas are not accessible until approximately March 2026.
Access to St. Michael is possible from Weißenkirchen.
Detour from/to Ried Hochrain via Wösendorf and St. Michael continuing to Spitz.
The detour route is signposted on site and leads on publicly accessible paths.
Here is the link to the digital version:
https://www.outdooractive.com/de/route/wanderung/donau-niederoesterreich/welterbesteig-wachau-umleitung-03-weissenkirchen-spitz/809346565/
From Weißenkirchen to Spitz, we hike through the impressive heart of the Wachau's stone terrace wine landscape. The wine-growing villages of Weißenkirchen and Spitz invite you to enjoy wine and stop for refreshments. Nature lovers will thrive at the Michaelerberg natural monument.
easy
Distance 10.5 km
Duration3:16 h
Ascent353 m
Descent338 m
Highest point432 m
Lowest point209 m
Welterbesteig Wachau: From Weißenkirchen to Spitz
This stage leads us through a unique wine landscape. High above the Danube, the largest contiguous vineyard area of the Wachau awaits us, including renowned vineyards (Kollmitz, Kollmütz, Hochrain) with wonderful panoramic views. Above St. Michael, our path leads through a romantic dry grassland, forest, and marvelous rocky landscape with unique views. Through the Red Gate, we enter the wine village of Spitz. In the historic wine villages of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, dozens of Heurigen and catering establishments invite you to rest.
Tip for provisions: We recommend richly filling your hiking backpack with regional products at the Spar market in Weißenkirchen (Mon-Fri 7:15 am - 7 pm, Sat 7:15 am - 6 pm), as there are no refreshment options along the route. Upon arrival in Spitz, local catering establishments invite you to refresh yourself, and with some luck, your favorite Heuriger is also open. Opening times can be found in the online Heurigen calendar. Resting possibilities and inviting seating areas are available at the Danube riverbank. The Wachau bus line 715 (Melk-Spitz-Weißenkirchen-Krems) runs hourly and brings you back to Weißenkirchen.
Author’s recommendation
Its worth visiting the „nature park BIOthek-Wachau“ in Spitz run by the owners of the biological businesses in the Wachau area. Its located in a winery of the 16th century near church square. Opening times: end of April until end of October every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, www.naturpark-jauerling.at.
Author
Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
Responsible for this content
Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH
Verified partner
Difficulty
easy
Overall difficulty
easy
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Landscape
Highest point
432 m
Lowest point
209 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
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Safety information
There are no refreshment stops or springs along the route.
Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau:140
Tips and suggestions
Person responsible for the content of this tour Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal Last update: 11.11.2025
Best of Wachau: The most renowned and recommended gastronomy and accommodation establishments in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau can be found at Best of Wachau.
More information about dining and accommodation options is available at www.wachau.at Please note the shortened opening hours of Spitz and Weißenkirchen gastronomy businesses in winter. More information can be found directly at: www.spitz-wachau.at and www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at.
Wine taverns are located in Weißenkirchen and Spitz. Several Heurigen inns are open in winter. Please check the current Heurigen calendar.
For simple and convenient planning of routes, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Simply download for Android or iPhone.
Public transport
The places are accessible seven days a week by public transport (bus and Wachaubahn). Return to the starting point of the hike is possible.
On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Melk, bus line 718 runs the Spitzer Graben route Am Schuß-Mühldorf-Spitz or Spitz-Mühldorf-Am Schuß. www.vor.at
The Wachaubahn runs from the end of March to the end of October only on weekends and public holidays. From July to the end of September daily. www.wachaubahn.at
Nextbike rental bike stations are located in Weißenkirchen and Spitz. www.nextbike.at
A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 and B3 via Krems to Weißenkirchen or Spitz
Parking
Parking at the Danube riverbank or at the train station in Weißenkirchen or at the train station or the parking lot at the castle in Spitz
Coordinates
DD
48.397656, 15.470162
DMS
48°23'51.6"N 15°28'12.6"E
UTM
33U 534801 5360606
w3w
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Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
Equipment
Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a Heurigen calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
Localization
Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language
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Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen
Welterbesteig Wachau Fähre Arnsdorf - Fähre St. Lorenz
Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz
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Difficulty
easy
Overall difficulty
easy
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Distance
10.5 km
Duration
3:16 h
Ascent
353 m
Descent
338 m
Highest point
432 m
Lowest point
209 m
Linear route
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