World Heritage Trail Wachau 03: Weißenkirchen-Spitz

From the market square in Weißenkirchen, the castle stairs lead left up Bachstraße to the castle district, one of the oldest settlements in the Wachau with Gothic grape harvest lofts and several Heurigen businesses (stamp station Heurigen family Rosenberger). At the end of the castle district, we hike down into the Lichtgartl and reach the vineyards. We cross Seiberstraße and arrive at the Ritzling vineyard. Here, we turn right and pass the Postaller vineyard, climbing up to the famous Kollmitz vineyard. A descent to Wösendorf and Joching is possible here. The main route continues right on the high path into the beech forest. After a few minutes, we leave the vineyards and enter a beech forest. After the forest loop, we come back to the vineyards at Geißberg and follow a scenic high path over the well-known vineyards Hochrain, Höll, and Kollmütz. At the end of the wine landscape, the path leads into the forest to the viewpoint and natural monument Michaelerberg, where a descent to St. Michael is possible (about 20 minutes down). Michaelerberg was an old grazing meadow and is one of the most species-rich meadows on the Danube. Bizarre rock and stone formations, dry grasslands, and forest steppe adorn Michaelerberg. After a relaxing rest with stunning views, we follow the St. Michael high path through an untouched oak and hornbeam forest down into the Miesling valley. Upon reaching the stream, we turn right, soon crossing Miesling stream and then climb uphill to the legendary Red Gate, the remains of the former defense wall of Spitz. We walk through the gate into the Spitz wine landscape and down on a historic connecting path straight to Spitz. Passing famous vineyards such as Rotes Tor, Singerriedel, and Axpoint, we reach the stage destination, the picturesque Spitz church square, after 10 minutes.

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.

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

Emergency call Mountain Rescue Wachau: 140

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

Best of Wachau: The most renowned and recommendable gastronomy and accommodation businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau can be found at Best of Wachau.

Further information about refreshment and accommodation options is available at www.wachau.at. Please note the shortened opening times of gastronomy businesses in Spitz and Weißenkirchen during winter. More information is available directly at: www.spitz-wachau.at and www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at.

Wine taverns are located in Weißenkirchen and Spitz. Several Heurigen businesses are open during the winter. Please pay attention to the current Heurigen calendar.

For easy and convenient tour planning, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Simply download for Android or iPhone.