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Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz

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  • Seekopf Watchtower
    Seekopf Watchtower
    Photo: Donau Niederösterreich Robert Herbst, Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal

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    Wine villages and Wachau wine landscapes, Roman paths and ruins, a nature reserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests, and wonderful panoramic views from the Seekopf and the Hirschwand are experienced on the 17 km stage from Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz.

     

    moderate
    Distance 16.8 km
    5:30 h
    697 m
    681 m
    671 m
    201 m
    Welterbesteig Wachau: From Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz

    From the historicist castle in Hofarnsdorf, we hike through the winegrower villages of Mitterarnsdorf and Bacharnsdorf (with Roman watchtower). Along the former Roman road, it goes into the Kupfertal valley and the Dunkelsteinerwald forest. We discover traces of the Turkish wars and experience magnificent views from the Seekopf and the Hirschwand. Through the Steinige Ries nature reserve with its impressive and untouched oak and hornbeam forest and through vineyards, our path leads down to the idyllic winegrower village of Rossatz.

    Author’s recommendation

    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.
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    Author
    Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    LogoWachau-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
    Seekopf, 671 m
    Lowest point
    201 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 16.35%Dirt road 10.80%Forested/wild trail 48.27%Path 24.07%Road 0.49%
    Asphalt
    2.7 km
    Dirt road
    1.8 km
    Forested/wild trail
    8.1 km
    Path
    4 km
    Road
    83 m
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    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

    Tips and suggestions

    As options for dining and overnight stays, we recommend Best of Wachau establishments: www.bestof-wachau.at. Best of Wachau establishments are located in Rossatz.

    Additional dining options/opening hours:

    The stamp station is located at Pammer on the main road after the Roman Burgus in Bacharnsdorf on the left, www.zumpammer.at; 0664/4205369.

    In Hofarnsdorf/Mitterarnsdorf there is only one inn: Gasthof "Zur Wachau" Fam. Zeller (Mitterarnsdorf 55). The inn is closed in winter from November to March. www.gasthofzurwachau.at ; 02714/8217.

    At Rührsdorf 17 is the country inn Family Essl, www.winzerstueberl.at , 02714/6384.

    Karina's guest tavern (church square Rossatz), open year-round, 0664 5385262.

    Wine taverns are located in all Arnsdorf villages (Hofarnsdorf, Bacharnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf, Oberarnsdorf), in Rossatz and Rossatzbach. Please note the current wine tavern calendar

    For easy 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. 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.

    Directions

    A1 to Melk exit, continue on B33 to Hofarnsdorf or Rossatz

    Parking

    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).

    Coordinates

    DD
    48.364234, 15.427789
    DMS
    48°21'51.2"N 15°25'40.0"E
    UTM
    33U 531685 5356873
    w3w 
    ///confinement.blacklist.retreat
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    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

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    16.8 km
    Duration
    5:30 h
    Ascent
    697 m
    Descent
    681 m
    Highest point
    671 m
    Lowest point
    201 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Flora Linear route
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