Through the imposing side valley of the Wachau called Spitzer Graben the panoramic way leads from Spitz to Mühldorf. Starting at the Wachau area and ending the stage at the southern part of the wood quarter of Lawer Austria. The steepest and highest stone terraces, old oak and beech woods, wine villages, romantic castle „Oberranna“ and unique impressions and fantastic views into the Spitzer Graben, towards the Danube and the Jauerling await you on this stage.
Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: from Spitz to Mühldorf (Spitzer Graben)
Starting at wine village Spitz in the heart of the Wachau the way leads along vineyards and hills with great views like „Tausendeimerberg“ (thousand buckets of wine harvestet on this vineyard) and Setzberg (also a famous vineyard) into the imposing stone terraces and wine growing landscape of Spitzer Graben. You are walking through wonderful vineyards, oak and beech woods and pass three rest huts operated by the association „Marivino“ and finally reach Muthstall (valley). Via Niederranna you get to romantic castle Oberranna and there you follow the creek „Rannabach“ downwards to Kalvarienberg (Calvary). Always along the creek „Ötzbach“ the way leads gently down to Unterranna and moving along to destination Mühldorf.
Starting point of the tour
Spitz, Kirchenplatz (church square)
Destination point of the tour
Mühldorf, Marktplatz (market square)
Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 04: Spitz - Mühldorf
The hiking tour starts at church square in Spitz and you follow Friedhofgasse (cemetery alley) westwards. At the nature park „BIOthek“ you turn left into a narrow path leading up to Tausendeimerberg. On top you get a great view of picturesque Spitz and of course the river Danube. On the right side along a gravel path through the vineyards you walk down to district Quitten. Here you stay left and in Radlbach you are turning right and get into the wonderful vineyards at the Setzberg (hill). To the left making a big bend, the way leads along nature monument Setzberg to the first rest hut of association „Marivino“. At the back of the hut the way leads left down the „Laabener Graben“ (ditch) and you reach the restplace and stamp station of winery Helmut Donabaum. There you keep right and walk towards nature monument Vogelsang (birdsong) on a paved wine trail, also precious dry grassland and picturesque stone terraces are to be seen.
At a wayside shrine you turn left and after a few minutes you get into the vineyards. You keep following the track uphill and reach the end of the vineyards. Now you follow the path until Zornbergweg (walkingway). A little time later Zornberghütte (rest hut) invites you for a rest. Its open from May to October only on Sundays from 11a.m. till 4.p.m. run by a winegrower of the association „Marivino“. Afterwards you follow the way through a natural oak wood and pass the third rest hut and the weather cross. At the crossing at vineyard Eichberg you turn right going on to Muthstall. At the village you cross Bengelbach (creek) via a little bridge and walk uphill to Niederranna. Passing the pictureque Baroque castle „Prandhof“ and the church you walk through the village and follow the street leading to castle Oberranna. You enter the garden of the castle and walk to the gate. In front of the gate you turn left and follow the the castle track to Mühldorf. Via the „Florianistiege“ (stairs) you reach market square with the mill wheel.
Directions
Highway A1 until exit Melk, following B3 to Spitz or via B3 and B217 to Mühldorf.
Parking
At the trainstation or at the castle in Spitz or in the center of Mühldorf.
The villages can be reached 7 days a week by public transportation (Wachau buses). Its possible to get back to the start of the tour.
Spitze is connected with Krems and Melk seven days a week with hourly operating buses of the line WL1(from trainstation Krems via Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk trainstation). More information: www.vor.at
Spitzer Graben (WL 718 connection between Spitz and Mühldorf) operates from Spitz departing every two hours. Info at: www.vor.at
On weekends and public holidays a shuttle bus service with fixed tours operates as well with stops in Spitz and Mühldorf. It has to be called one hour prior of departure. Phone: 0043 810 810 278 to make reservation and more info at www.naturpark-jauerling.at
Wachautrain operates on weekends and public holidays (3 times a day). More information: www.noevog.at
Stations for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) are located in Spitz and Mühldorf(market square). More information: www.nextbike.at
Timetable ferry Spitz to Arnsdorf: March to October. The ferry is not operating on weekends during winter time. More information: www.spitz-wachau.at or here.
Author's tip
At the nature park „BIOthek“ close to the „Tausendeimerberg“ in Spitz regional products from organic farming are available. Info: www.naturpark-jauerling.at ; Phone: 0043(0)2713/72935.
At the rest station of winery Helmut Donabaum you find a fridge filled with wines and juices and also a bench to rest accessible from May 1st till October 31st: www.weingaertnerei.at
Wine and hiking experience „Zornberghütte“: Every Sunday from May 1st till October 31st this restplace with its great views is catered by one of the members of association „Marivino“ offering regional products (wines, juices and fresh water). More information: www.marivino.at
