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.
Description
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.
Starting point of the tour
Hofarnsdorf, Castle
Destination point of the tour
Rossatz, Church square
Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz
Our stage begins in front of the castle and the parish church in Hofarnsdorf. We follow a path parallel to the Danube downstream, accompanied by magnificent views of the Hinterhaus castle ruins in Spitz, the Ried Atzberg, and the fortified church of St. Michael. At Bacharnsdorf, we turn right. Passing the Roman watchtower - Burgus - we reach the main road B33: here we turn left to the stamp station at the Pammer family's wine tavern (approx. 150 m). The main path goes right at the main road and a few meters later immediately turns left again. On the former Roman road (where the wheel ruts are still partly visible), our path now leads along the Dürrenbach creek into the Kupfertal valley. We pass a beautifully located rest area with various stone sculptures ("romantic rock group"). In the middle of the valley, on the right-hand side, we see the Türken Gate (partly overgrown). This remnant of the Arnsdorf "village walls" dates back to the time of the Turkish wars. At the 597 m high Kreuzberg (with a small wayside shrine), we reach the end of the Kupfertal and turn left, coming across the Jakobsweg pilgrimage route. A forest road leads us to the Rührsdorfer Lake with a rest area, which we bypass on the left or right depending on its size. After about another 15 minutes, we reach the 671 m high Seekopf, where we enjoy magnificent panoramic views from the modern-designed lookout tower. Shortly afterwards, there is the possibility to enjoy another beautiful view from the Hirschwand, which borders the Welterbesteig trail. However, this can only be reached via a climbing section with ladders (optional approx. 10 min approach). Afterwards, our descent to Rossatz begins. In the Steinige Ries nature reserve, we hike steadily downhill through partly pure oak forest with bizarre rock formations. Beautiful views of the Wachau open up again and again. At the end of the Steinige Ries, we walk over the longest dry stone wall path in the Wachau (several hundred meters long). Above the St. Lorenz church, we meet the Rossatz panorama trail and come to the junction for the St. Lorenz-Weißenkirchen cable ferry (approx. 15 min descent). The high trail leads us through the vineyards to our stage end at the church square in Rossatz. To conclude, there is a special viewpoint of the Emerald Lizard directly above the church square, before we end the stage in one of the local wine taverns.
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).
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.
Author's tip
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.
