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

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau: 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. Along varied paths, the route leads over the Edelberg up to the Bärenreut plateau, which impresses with sweeping views over the surrounding landscape. Via the villages of Zintring and Felbring, the trail continues to the Gossam castle ruins, a striking historical point on this stage.

The route then follows the historic Briefträgersteig down to Mödelsdorf. An old farm track finally leads into the Renaissance village of Emmersdorf on the Danube, where this stage of the Welterbesteig Wachau comes to a relaxed conclusion.

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.

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-growing village of Aggsbach Markt, turn left and then immediately right uphill at the Kurz wine tavern. Cross the tracks of the Wachaubahn railway, and the trail leads left uphill toward the Edelberg. The trail continues along a beautiful forest path to the 482-meter-high Glatzberg. From the Glatzberg, the trail climbs steadily to the Bärenreut plateau. Here you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Jauerling and Maria Laach before the farm road continues on to Zintring with its noteworthy bell tower. In the hamlet, you’ll cross the Jauerling Circular Trail. At the last house, turn left, through the Grimsingbach Valley and on to Felbring to the Waldruhe Inn (stamp station, but the inn is closed!).

After crossing the main road, turn left and cross the Jauerling Loop again. Cutting through a Christmas tree plantation, the trail continues downhill through the forest to the Käfermühle and the Felbringbach stream, which you’ll cross. For a worthwhile detour to the Gossam castle chapel, take the road to the left. After a minute, you’ll reach the ruins of the picturesque Burgkircherl Gossam, which invites you to take a leisurely break. Back at the Käfermühle, turn left at the house and follow the historic Briefträgersteig to the hamlet of Mödelsdorf. After leaving the village, turn left onto a farm road that leads to the Renaissance village and former wine-growing community of Emmersdorf (there is currently no viticulture in Emmersdorf). In the village, turn left toward the fortified Church of St. Nicholas, which is worth a visit. The trail then branches off toward the train station and descends via the Kolomanistiege steps. At the bottom of the steps, you’ll reach Marktstraße with its Renaissance buildings and the Magdalenenkapelle, where this stage ends.