Wachau World Heritage Trail 06: Maria Laach-Aggsbach Markt (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)
Wachau World Heritage Trail 06: Maria Laach-Aggsbach Markt (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)
Hiking tour Starting from Maria Laach, marketplace
Our hike is around 7 km long and leads across the Jauerling high plateau with its meadow landscape via the Schleinkhof estate down to the Danube to Aggsbach Markt.
- Starting point of the tour
- Maria Laach, marketplace
- Tour destination
- Aggsbach Markt, marketplace
- Fitness level required:2/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point
- 207 m
- Highest point
- 596 m
Our hike is around 7 km long and leads across the Jauerling high plateau with its meadow landscape via the Schleinkhof estate down to the Danube to Aggsbach Markt.
Welterbesteig Wachau: From Maria Laach to Aggsbach Markt
The stage from Maria Laach to Aggsbach Markt begins at the striking ensemble of the Gothic pilgrimage church in Maria Laach. From here, the trail leads via the Litzendorfer Kreuzstöckerl to the small hamlet of Litzendorf and then describes a wide arc across the open high plateau of the Jauerling. The tranquil highland landscape and sweeping views characterise this section of the Welterbesteig.
Passing the secluded Schleinkhof, which serves as a stamping station, a short ascent leads into the gentle descent towards the Danube Valley. Continuing steadily downhill, the route finally reaches Aggsbach Markt on the Danube and concludes this scenically varied stage between the high plateau and the river.
While hiking on the Welterbesteig Wachau, it becomes clear step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along carefully curated World Heritage Spots, the defining World Heritage Highlights become visible – the interplay of the historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural areas and the Danube as a formative element.
Thanks to good rail connections, relaxed and sustainable travel to the Wachau is easy. Within the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.
The Welterbesteig Wachau has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification stands for high quality standards in route layout, signage, safety and infrastructure and confirms the Welterbesteig as a reliable and high-quality hiking experience in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mountain rescue emergency Wachau: 140
Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a 'Heurigen' calendar. A packing list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
The hike begins at the market square in Maria Laach. Following the main road towards Zeißing, the route turns right shortly afterwards, with the famous Gothic pilgrimage church on the right. Passing the cemetery, the village is left behind and the trail leads gently downhill through a Christmas tree plantation to the country road. After crossing the Klafterbach and the country road, the route leads uphill to the Litzendorfer Kreuzstöckerl. A little later, the hamlet of Litzendorf is reached, where the route turns left and follows the main road through the village. Through flowering fields, the trail leads in a wide arc across the Jauerling high plateau. At the fork, the route keeps diagonally to the right and continues to the old Schleinkhof farm. The stamping station for the stage is also located here. The route then descends through the forest in bends towards Aggsbach Markt. Via the so-called Schmuckstraße, the first houses are reached and the trail continues into the village. Directly before the railway tracks, the route follows the road to the right and now heads towards the picturesque church. Continuing to the left, parallel to the Endlingbach, the market square in Aggsbach Markt is reached shortly afterwards, where the hike ends.
In the center of Maria Laach or at the campsite or at the Venussaal in Aggsbach Markt.
A1 to Melk exit, continue over B3 to Maria Laach or Aggsbach Markt
Unfortunately, the villages are not directly connected by public transport. We recommend for your return journey to the starting point the taxi company Bernhardt from Spitz, Tel.: 02713/2222.
There is a Nextbike rental station in Aggsbach Markt, www.nextbike.at
We recommend a visit to the Jauerling farm shop in Maria Laach, which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week (with a small coffee corner).
Recommended period
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For places to stop for a bite to eat or spend the night, we recommend the “Best of Wachau” establishments: www.bestof-wachau.at. One “Best of Wachau” establishment is located in Maria Laach: Hotel Ringl-Wachau, Am Hauptplatz 3, Tel. 02712/8303, www.hotel-ringl.at
Additional lodging options are available in Aggsbach Markt.
Other places to stop for a bite to eat:
Café-Pub Donauwelle, Aggsbach Markt: Open year-round, Tel. 02712/373.
In Emmersdorf, there are several inns that are open year-round.
There is a wine tavern in Aggsbach Markt: the Kurz family. Tel. 0676/473 07 29. In Willendorf, there is also the Rudolf Schrutz wine tavern, Tel. 02712/543
Please check the current wine tavern calendar
Letzte Änderung: 18 Aug 2026