10,89 km length
Note: Complete closure of World Heritage Trail Stage 3 between St. Michael and Spitz
Due to extensive forest maintenance and path renovation work in the Atzberg area, Stage 3 of the World Heritage Trail between St. Michael and Spitz is completely closed until further notice. The turnoff to Buschandlwand is also affected – these areas are expected to be inaccessible until March 2026.
The approach to St. Michael is possible from Weißenkirchen, but it is steep and often slippery in winter.
Recommended diversion from/to Ried Hochrain via Wösendorf and St. Michael, continuing on to Spitz.
The diversion route is signposted on site and leads along publicly accessible paths.
Important information
Please do not enter forestry or construction sites – there is a risk of danger from machinery and woodworking.
Follow the diversion signs and instructions on site.
Map services and GPX tracks are being updated; please check your navigation before setting off.
From Weißenkirchen to Spitz, we hike through the impressive heart of the Wachau stone terrace wine landscape. The wine-growing villages of Weißenkirchen and Spitz invite you to enjoy wine and take a break.
This stage takes us through a unique wine landscape. High above the Danube, the largest contiguous wine-growing area in the Wachau awaits us, including renowned vineyards (Kollmitz, Kollmütz, Hochrain) with magnificent views. The diversion leads through the wine-growing villages of Weißenkirchen and St. Michael, and the last section to Spitz runs directly along the Danube.
Catering tip: We recommend filling your hiking rucksack with regional products from the Spar supermarket in Weißenkirchen (Mon-Fri 7.15am-7pm, Sat 7.15am-6pm), as there are no places to stop for refreshments along the route. Once you arrive at your destination in Spitz, the local restaurants invite you to stop for refreshments and, with a bit of luck, your favourite wine tavern will also be open. You can find out which ones are open in the online wine tavern calendar. There are places to rest and inviting seating areas on the Danube embankment. The Wachau bus line 715 (Melk-Spitz-Weißenkirchen-Krems) runs hourly and takes you back to Weißenkirchen.
Starting point of the tourWeißenkirchen Marktplatz
Destination point of the tourSpitz Kirchenplatz
From the market square in Weißenkirchen, the Burgstiege stairway in Bachstraße leads up to the left to the Burgviertel, one of the oldest settlements in the Wachau region with Gothic vineyards and several wine taverns (stamp station: Heurigen Fam. Rosenberger). At the end of the Burgviertel, we walk down to the Lichtgartl and reach the vineyards. We cross Seiberstraße and arrive at Ried Ritzling. Here we turn right and walk past Ried Postaller up to the famous Riede Kollmitz. Please note the diversion: here we descend through the vineyards to Wösendorf and keep to the right at the bottom, on the main road towards St. Michael. Once there, we climb down the steps after the church and through a pedestrian underpass to the Danube. On the Treppelweg, we soon reach Spitz upstream on the Danube. Turn right into the town centre and after a short uphill stretch, we reach our destination for the day, the picturesque Spitzer Kirchenplatz.
Sturdy walking shoes, rain gear, sufficient drinks and food, a hiking map of the Wachau region and a wine tavern calendar. You can find an equipment list at www.welterbesteig.at under the heading Service/Tips.
Safety informationThere are no places to stop for refreshments or water sources along the route.
Wachau mountain rescue emergency number: 140
