Feel Good hiking trail at Jauerling Route 2

Emergency call Mountain Rescue Wachau: 140

Hiking boots, rainproof clothing, and drinking water. The Wachau hiking map is available from Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus, www.wachau.at.

From the parking lot at the mountain station of the ski lift, we first head to the lookout tower. It is open daily from April to around All Saints' Day from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, in winter only on weekends and public holidays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and by prior arrangement. After the lookout tower, we cross the Turnerwiese, first follow route 73 straight ahead, then turn left towards the hunting lodge. From the hunting lodge, continue along the marking. We cross routes 73 and 26 and continue hiking through the forest until we come out below the Stauferhütte again. From there, it is only a few meters back to the parking lot.

Parking (free) is available at the nature park house and at the mountain station.

By car from the West Autobahn in Melk on the B3a towards Emmersdorf, then take the third exit at the roundabout (direction Dürnstein, Krems) on the B3 to Schallemmersdorf, turn left to Maria Laach on the L7145, from Maria Laach to Oberndorf on the L7133, then head towards the lookout tower up to the mountain station. The destination is Oberndorf am Jauerling (mountain hut).

The best time to reach Oberndorf by public transportation is on the weekend. Although there is one bus per day from Melk (take the train to the Melk station), it runs only during the school year.

For an eco-friendly trip to the Naturpark-Gasthaus, take the bus and train: www.vor.at

We recommend the Jauerling farmers' market, hosted by the Maria Laach farmers at the Kerblerhaus in the center of Maria Laach (every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

At the Hoher Jauerling, the nature park offers a themed trail. The trail, titled “Above Us, the Wide, Wide Sky,” is perfect for a stroll and provides information about the Jauerling, the nature park’s communities, and the region’s flora and fauna. Even younger hikers will find it fun to stroll through the forest along the 10 stations, which can be explored using an app. For more information (including a map and audio sample), visit http://www.naturpark-jauerling.at/gipfel-jauerling/.

Just below the Jauerling summit, at 915 meters above sea level, lies the Naturparkhaus – Gasthaus am Jauerling. From the Wachau Terrace, you can enjoy the highest and most beautiful view of the Danube.

The Naturparkhaus is car-free and has limited traffic. The final ten minutes to the Naturparkhaus must be covered on foot (the parking lot is about 500 m from the inn). The proprietors, Ludwig Biebl and Nicole Pirker, serve hot meals throughout the day. We ask groups and/or bus tours to register in advance. The cuisine and the work of the proprietors are characterized by regional quality and products, as well as close collaboration with producers from the nature park. www.naturpark-gasthaus.at