Wachau World Heritage Trail 03: Weißenkirchen-Spitz

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,53 km
Duration: 3:15 h
Ascent: 353 m elevation gain
Descent: 338 m elevation gain

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. https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-trail/donau-niederoesterreich/world-heritage-trail-wachau-detour-03-weissenkirchen-spitz/809346565/ Hiking from Weißenkirchen to Spitz, we pass through the impressive heart of the Wachau stone terrace wine region. The winegrower villages of Weißenkirchen and Spitz invite you to enjoy wine and stop for refreshments. Nature lovers will flourish at the Michaelerberg natural monument.

Starting point of the tour: Weißenkirchen, Market Square
Tour destination: Spitz, Church Square

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10,53 km
Duration: 3:15 h
Ascent: 353 m elevation gain
Descent: 338 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point209 m
Highest point432 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

Description

Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Weißenkirchen to Spitz

The stage from Weißenkirchen to Spitz runs through one of the Wachau’s most impressive wine landscapes, high above the Danube across the region’s largest continuous vineyard area. Renowned vineyard sites such as Kollmitz, Kollmütz and Hochrain shape this section, repeatedly opening wide views across the Danube Valley and the terraced slopes. Above St Michael, the trail crosses the Michaelerberg, a varied mosaic of dry grassland, woodland and distinctive rock formations, with remarkable viewpoints along the way.

Via the historic Rote Tor, the route reaches the traditional wine town of Spitz. In both Weißenkirchen and Spitz, numerous Heurigen and restaurants invite enjoyable breaks. Along the stage itself, however, there are no refreshment stops, so adequate provisions are recommended. In Spitz, local eateries provide a relaxed place to pause and linger.

Walking the Wachau World Heritage Trail reveals, step by step, why the Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage region. Finely curated World Heritage Spots make the defining World Heritage Highlights visible—the interplay of cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural habitats and the Danube as a shaping force.

For a carefree, all-round offer—including luggage transfer, tastings and transfers—one of the varied walking packages is recommended.

Thanks to excellent rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is straightforward. Within the region, a dense public transport network makes all stages easy to reach by bus, train, ferry and boat, allowing stages to be combined with great flexibility.

The Wachau World Heritage Trail also holds the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification represents high standards in route design, waymarking, safety and infrastructure, confirming the trail as a reliable, high-quality walking experience at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Equipment 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.
Route description 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.
Parking Parking at the Danube riverbank or at the train station in Weißenkirchen, or at the train station or parking lot by the castle in Spitz
Getting there A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 and B3 via Krems to Weißenkirchen or Spitz
Public transport 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.atThe 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.atNextbike bike rental stations are available in Weißenkirchen and Spitz. www.nextbike.atYou 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
Editor’s tip Its worth visiting the „nature park BIOthek-Wachau“ in Spitz run by the owners of the biological businesses in the Wachau area. Its located in a winery of the 16th century near church square. Opening times: end of April until end of October every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, www.naturpark-jauerling.at.

Recommended period

Current weather in Weißenkirchen in der Wachau

6° to 9°

Today, 11.02.2026

Cloudy

Wind speed2,5 km/h

3° to 8°

Tomorrow, 12.02.2026

Light rain

Wind speed1,6 km/h

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.