Wachau World Heritage Trail 03: Weißenkirchen-Spitz

There are no opportunities to stop for refreshments or sources along the trail.

Emergency call Mountain Rescue Wachau: 140

Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a Heurigen calendar. You can find an equipment list at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.

From the market square in Weißenkirchen, the Burgstiege in Bachstraße leads uphill to the left to the Burgviertel, one of the oldest settlements in the Wachau with Gothic wine harvest courtyards and several Heurigen wine taverns (stamping station at the Rosenberger family Heuriger). At the end of the Burgviertel, the trail leads down into the Lichtgartl and reaches the vineyards. Seiberstraße is crossed and the Ritzling vineyard is reached. Here, the route turns right and leads past the Postaller vineyard uphill to the famous Kollmitz vineyard. From here, a descent to Wösendorf and Joching is possible. The main route continues to the right along the high-level trail into the beech forest. After a few minutes, the vineyards are left behind and the trail enters a beech forest. After the forest loop, the route returns to the vineyards at Geißberg and follows a panoramic high-level trail above the well-known Hochrain, Höll and Kollmütz vineyards. At the end of the wine landscape, the trail enters the forest and leads to the Michaelerberg viewpoint and natural monument, where a descent to St Michael is possible (approx. 20 minutes downhill). The Michaelerberg was once an old pasture and is one of the most species-rich meadows along the Danube. Bizarre rock and stone formations, dry grasslands and forest steppe enhance the Michaelerberg. After a relaxing rest with breathtaking views, the St. Michael high-level trail leads through an untouched oak and hornbeam forest down into the Mieslingtal. On reaching the stream, the route turns right, soon crosses the Mieslingbach and leads uphill to the legendary Rotes Tor, the remains of the former defensive wall of Spitz. The trail passes through the gate into the Spitz wine landscape and follows a historic connecting path straight downhill to Spitz. Passing famous vineyards such as Rotes Tor, Singerriedel and Axpoint, the stage destination, the picturesque church square of Spitz, is reached after 10 minutes.

Parking at the Danube riverbank or at the train station in Weißenkirchen, or at the train station or parking lot by the castle in Spitz

A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 and B3 via Krems to Weißenkirchen or Spitz

The villages are accessible seven days a week by public transport (bus and Wachau railway). Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.

On the northern bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Melk, the Spitz valley is served by line 718 Am Schuß-Mühldorf-Spitz and Spitz-Mühldorf-Am Schuß. www.vor.at

The Wachau railway operates from the end of March to the end of October only on weekends and public holidays, daily from July to the end of September. www.wachaubahn.at

Nextbike bike rental stations are available in Weißenkirchen and Spitz. www.nextbike.at

You can quickly switch the Danube bank with the following ferries:
- Roll ferry Weißenkirchen - St. Lorenz www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at
- Roll ferry Spitz - Arnsdorf www.spitz-wachau.at

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.