Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 16,81 km
Duration: 5:30 h
Ascent: 697 m elevation gain
Descent: 681 m elevation gain

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.

Starting point of the tour: Hofarnsdorf, Castle
Tour destination: Rossatz, Church square

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 16,81 km
Duration: 5:30 h
Ascent: 697 m elevation gain
Descent: 681 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point201 m
Highest point671 m

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

Downloads

Description

Wachau World Heritage Trail: Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz

The stage from Hofarnsdorf to Rossatz combines traditional wine villages with historic paths and impressive natural settings. Starting at the Gründerzeit-era Hofarnsdorf Castle, the route leads through Mitterarnsdorf and Bacharnsdorf, where a Roman watchtower recalls early settlement history. Along the line of a former Roman road, the trail continues into the Kupfertal and into the quiet woodlands of the Dunkelsteinerwald.

Wide views from the Seekopf and the Hirschwand define this section, along with the Steinige Ries nature reserve, home to largely untouched oak and hornbeam forests. Through vineyards, the route finally descends to the idyllic wine village of Rossatz, bringing this culture- and nature-rich stage to an atmospheric close.

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 the Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips
Route description 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.
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).
Getting there A1 to Melk exit, continue on B33 to Hofarnsdorf or Rossatz
Public transport 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.atNextbike rental bike stations are located in Hofarnsdorf and Rossatz, www.nextbike.atWith 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.
Editor’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.

Recommended period

Current weather in Hofarnsdorf

6° to 9°

Today, 11.02.2026

Light rain

Wind speed3,4 km/h

5° to 7°

Tomorrow, 12.02.2026

Light rain

Wind speed1,8 km/h

As options for dining and overnight stays, we recommend Best of Wachau establishments: www.bestof-wachau.at. Best of Wachau establishments are located in Rossatz.

Additional dining options/opening hours:

The stamp station is located at Pammer on the main road after the Roman Burgus in Bacharnsdorf on the left, www.zumpammer.at; 0664/4205369.

In Hofarnsdorf/Mitterarnsdorf there is only one inn: Gasthof "Zur Wachau" Fam. Zeller (Mitterarnsdorf 55). The inn is closed in winter from November to March. www.gasthofzurwachau.at ; 02714/8217.

At Rührsdorf 17 is the country inn Family Essl, www.winzerstueberl.at , 02714/6384.

Karina's guest tavern (church square Rossatz), open year-round, 0664 5385262.

Wine taverns are located in all Arnsdorf villages (Hofarnsdorf, Bacharnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf, Oberarnsdorf), in Rossatz and Rossatzbach. Please note the current wine tavern calendar

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