Wachau World Heritage Trail 04: Spitz - Mühldorf

The rest huts along the way are not serviced and there is no opportunity to refill your water bottles. Only the „Zornberghütte“ (rest hut) is open every Sunday from May 1st to October 31st, where wine growers from the association „Marivino“ sell regional products (wine, juice and water), more information: www.spitz-wachau.com

In case of an emergency call the mountain rescue Wachau: 140

Hiking boots, raincoat, enough to eat and drink, a trail map and maybe a list of open taverns. You can find an equipmentlist on www.welterbesteig.at section service/tips.

The hike begins at Kirchenplatz in Spitz and follows Friedhofgasse toward the cemetery. After about 200–300 meters, you’ll see a turnoff on the left leading to a narrow trail that heads up to the Tausendeimerberg. From the summit, there’s a fantastic view of the picturesque town and the Danube. Turn right onto a farm road that winds through the vineyards down to the Quitten district. Here, the trail turns left, then right in Radlbach, and continues through the beautiful vineyards on the Setzberg. Turning left, the trail follows a wide curve along the Setzberg Natural Monument to the first rest hut operated by the Marivino Association. Behind the hut, take a left down into the Laabener Graben toward the wine cooler and the stamp station at the Helmut Donabaum Winery. There, the trail turns right toward the Vogelsang natural monument, featuring a paved wine trail, a valuable dry grassland, and picturesque stone terraces. At a wayside shrine, the trail branches off to the left, and after a few minutes, you’ll reach the vineyards. The trail leads up to the edge of the vineyard. The path continues on to the Zornbergwerg. Shortly afterward, the Zornberghütte welcomes visitors—it is open from May through October on select Sundays when the weather is nice, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (run by winemakers from the Marivino Association). The trail then continues through the unspoiled oak forest, passing the third hut and the Wetterkreuz. At the trail junction in Ried Eichberg, turn right and continue on to Muthstall. In the village, cross the Bengelbach on a small bridge and hike up a hill to Niederranna. Passing the picturesque Baroque Prandhof Castle and the parish church, the trail leads through the village and follows the road onward toward Oberranna Castle. Just before the castle, the route branches off to the left and continues on to Mühldorf. Via the Florianistiege, you’ll reach the market square with its millwheel.

At the trainstation or at the castle in Spitz or in the center of Mühldorf.

Highway A1 until exit Melk, following B3 to Spitz or via B3 and B217 to Mühldorf.

The villages can be reached 7 days a week by public transportation (Wachau buses). Its possible to get back to the start of the tour.

Spitze is connected with Krems and Melk seven days a week with hourly operating buses of the line WL1(from trainstation Krems via Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk trainstation). More information: www.vor.at

Spitzer Graben (WL 718 connection between Spitz and Mühldorf) operates from Spitz departing every two hours. Info at: www.vor.at

On weekends and public holidays a shuttle bus service with fixed tours operates as well with stops in Spitz and Mühldorf. It has to be called one hour prior of departure. Phone: 0043 810 810 278 to make reservation and more info at www.naturpark-jauerling.at

Wachautrain operates on weekends and public holidays (3 times a day). More information: www.noevog.at

Stations for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) are located in Spitz and Mühldorf(market square). More information: www.nextbike.at

Timetable ferry Spitz to Arnsdorf: March to October. The ferry is not operating on weekends during winter time. More information: www.spitz-wachau.at or here.                

At the nature park „BIOthek“ close to the „Tausendeimerberg“ in Spitz regional products from organic farming are available. Info: www.naturpark-jauerling.at ; Phone: 0043(0)2713/72935.

At the rest station of winery Helmut Donabaum you find a fridge filled with wines and juices and also a bench to rest accessible from May 1st till October 31st: www.weingaertnerei.at

 Wine and hiking experience „Zornberghütte“: Every Sunday from May 1st till October 31st this restplace with its great views is catered by one of the members of association „Marivino“ offering regional products (wines, juices and fresh water). More information: www.marivino.at