Details for: Wachau World Heritage Trail 07: Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)

Brief description

The Jauerling high plateau and its villages, bell towers, magnificent panoramic views, and the lonely little castle church in Gossam await us on the entertaining hike along the Wachau World Heritage Trail from Aggsbach Markt to Emmersdorf.

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Aggsbach Markt to Emmersdorf

The stage from Aggsbach Markt to Emmersdorf combines peaceful forest and hilly landscapes with impressive cultural landscapes along the Danube. On varied paths, the route leads over the Edelberg up to the Bärenreut plateau, which impresses with its wide views of the surrounding landscape. The route continues via the villages of Zintring and Felbring to the ruins of Gossam Castle, a prominent historical point on this stage.

The route then follows the historic Briefträgersteig trail down to Mödelsdorf. An old farm track finally leads to the Renaissance village of Emmersdorf an der Donau, where this stage of the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail comes to an end in a relaxed atmosphere.

Hiking along the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail reveals step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along finely curated World Heritage spots, the defining World Heritage highlights become visible - the interplay of historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, extraordinary natural spaces and the Danube as a shaping element.

Thanks to good rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is easy. A dense network of public transport in the region ensures that all stages can be easily reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.

The Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality. This certification stands for high quality standards in terms of route guidance, signposting, safety and infrastructure and confirms the World Heritage Trail as a reliable and high-quality hiking offer in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Starting point of the tour

Aggsbach Markt, market square

Destination point of the tour

Emmersdorf, Marktstraße

Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 07: Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)

At the market square in the old wine village Aggsbach Markt, we turn left and immediately after at the Kurz wine tavern turn right uphill. We cross the tracks of the Wachau railway and hike left uphill to Edelberg. Our path continues along a beautiful forest trail to the 482 m high Glatzberg. From Glatzberg, we hike steadily uphill to the Bärenreut high plateau. Here we enjoy the beautiful view of Jauerling and Maria Laach before following the farm track further to Zintring with its impressive bell tower. In the hamlet, we cross the Jauerling circular trail. At the last house, we turn left, cross the Grimsing valley and arrive at Felbring at the Waldruhe inn (stamp station, but the inn is closed!).

After crossing the main road, we turn left and cross the Jauerling circular trail again. Across a Christmas tree plantation, our path leads steadily downhill through the forest to Käfermühle and across the Felbring stream. For a rewarding detour to the Burgkircherl Gossam, we follow the road to the left. After one minute, we reach the ruins with the picturesque castle church that invites for a comfortable rest. Back at Käfermühle, we go left at the house and hike along the historic postman’s path to the hamlet Mödelsdorf. After leaving the village, we turn left into a farm track that takes us to the Renaissance town and former wine-growing village Emmersdorf (currently, there is no viticulture around Emmersdorf). In the town, we go left to the fortified church Saint Nicholas, which invites visitors. Afterwards, we follow the turn-off to the train station and hike down the Kolomani stairs. At the foot of the stairs, we reach Marktstraße with its Renaissance buildings and Magdalene chapel, where our stage ends.

Directions

A1 to the Melk exit, then continue on B3a and B3 to Aggsbach Markt or Emmersdorf

Parking

At the campsite or at the Venus hall opposite in Aggsbach Markt, or at the parking lot by the boat docks in Emmersdorf

The towns are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.

On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Spitz-Emmersdorf-Melk and Melk-Emmersdorf-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.at

The Wachau railway only runs on weekends and holidays from late March to late October, and daily from July to September: www.wachaubahn.at

Nextbike bike rental stations are located in Aggsbach Markt and Emmersdorf, www.nextbike.at

Equipment

Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. You can find an equipment list at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.

Safety information

Emergency call mountain rescue Wachau: 140

More tours around the starting point