Description
The 6 km long Spitzer Graben in the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park is the most impressive side valley of the UNESCO Wachau World Heritage Site and the connection to the Waldviertel. Oberranna Castle near Mühldorf and the Hinterhaus ruin above Spitz on the Danube are the distinctive guards marking the entrances to the Spitzer Graben. The stone terraces and apricot orchards line the entire valley - the highest vineyards in the Wachau wine region (Ried Trenning, 450 m above Mühldorf) lie in the Spitzer Graben. The Marivino association has created a unique hiking trail through the Spitzer Graben with the Panoramaweg, which leads through vineyards, apricot orchards, and natural beech mixed forests and offers unforgettable viewpoints. The Panoramaweg connects Spitz Castle at Kirchenplatz with Oberranna Castle (privately owned) and the Hinterhaus ruin. Four rest huts (not serviced) on the east side of the trail provide information on viticulture, stone terraces, nature conservation, and apricots. In the main towns of Spitz and Mühldorf, as well as in the small villages of Gut am Steg, Vießling, and Elsarn am Jauerling, Wachau wine taverns and cozy inns await you. Direct farm purchases from winemakers, distillers, and apricot growers (harvest in July) in the Spitzer Graben are also possible at any time.
Starting point of the tour
Spitz, Kirchenplatz/Castle
Destination point of the tour
Spitz
Route description Panoramaweg Spitzer Graben
We start our hike at the Kirchenplatz in Spitz and follow Friedhofgasse heading west. In front of the castle, we have two options: we can continue straight on and follow the Wachau World Heritage Trail over the Tausendeimerberg, or we turn left in Friedhofgasse onto a narrow path that also leads to the Tausendeimerberg. From the summit, we have a great view of the picturesque town and the Danube. To the right, a farm road takes us down through the vineyards to the Quitten district. Here, the path merges with the route without the Tausendeimerberg option. We keep left here, then turn right in Radlbach and reach the wonderful vineyards on the Setzberg. Our path leads left in a large arc along the Setzberg natural monument to the first rest hut of the Marivino association. Behind the hut, we go left down the Laabener Graben. In the valley, we first keep left and immediately thereafter turn right towards Zornberg. We now hike uphill on a farm road through the vineyards and into the forest in several switchbacks. Shortly after, we arrive at the Zornberghütte - this is open from May to October on some Sundays in good weather from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (winemakers from the Marivino association). Afterwards, we continue along the path through the natural oak forest and pass the third hut and the weather cross. From the Bruckhütte, we go uphill for a while, then turn right onto a field road to the "Eichberg junction." Here, two route options are available again: we can go left downhill to Elsarn, where the return path to Spitz begins, or continue along the old road to Mühldorf. Alternatively, we can stay on the high path and follow the Wachau World Heritage Trail to Niederranna (with a loop over Oberranna Castle continuing to Mühldorf). We keep right at Eichberg and follow the Wachau World Heritage Trail further to Muthstall. In the town, we cross the Bengelbach on a small bridge and walk straight on to Niederranna. We pass the picturesque Baroque Prandhof Castle and the parish church, cross the town, and continue along the street to Oberranna Castle. Behind the castle, we turn left and walk gently downhill along the Rannabach and Ötzbach to Unterranna. We continue following the stream to Mühldorf. In Mühldorf, following the federal road outward towards Spitz, then turning right into the Ledertal on an asphalted path beside the creek, which separates us from the federal road, we soon reach the towns Elsarn am Jauerling and Vießling. We pass through the towns, by apricot orchards and vineyards, and increasingly enjoy splendid views into the Spitzer Graben. Following the road, we reach the village of Gut am Steg and are thus almost back in Spitz, where we leisurely walk back to our starting point, the Kirchenplatz.
Directions
West Autobahn A1 to Melk exit, then via B3 to Spitz, or via B3 and B217 to Mühldorf
Parking
In Spitz, shipping museum, chapel Gut am Steg, Laaben, Elsarn, playground Vießling, market square Mühldorf.
The towns are accessible by public transport seven days a week (Wachau buses). Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible. Spitz is connected to Melk and Krems every hour, seven days a week, by bus line 715 (Krems station-Dürnstein-Weissenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk station). Line 722 (on-call bus) takes you from Spitz or Emmersdorf to Jauerling and the Weitental on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Between April and October, the Wachau railway runs between Krems and Emmersdorf, www.wachaubahn.at
Nextbike rental stations (EUR 1/hour) are located in Spitz, Mühldorf, and Elsarn, www.leihradl.at.
Author's tip
Zornberghütte: On some Sundays in good weather from May 1st to October 31st, this scenic rest spot is managed by winemakers from the Marivino association (wines, juices, and water). Information about the Spitzer Graben and the panoramic hiking trail can be found at www.marivino.at.
