The „Kuenringerfeste“ (fort of the knights lineage Kuenring) todays castle ruin Aggstein, the magnificent Baroque pilgrimage monastery Maria Langegg, less known Dunkelsteinerwald (dark stone wood) with the Buchental (beech valley) and fantastic views of surrounding area between Hohen Stein (rock) and Glauberkreuz (cross) in the vineyards of Arnsdorf are part of the stage from Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf.
Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: from Aggsbach Dorf to Hofarnsdorf
On wood and field tracks you walk from Aggsbach Dorf up to the ruin Aggstein and into the Dunkelsteinerwald. Via Monastery Maria Langegg with its worth seeing museum, library and frescoes you go on through Buchental (beech valley). A short safe and secured climbing section leads you to the „Hohen Stein“ (rock formation). Here you have one of the most beautiful view points in the Wachau. Continuing on downwards the way now leads through Buchental to the rest place „Glauberkreuz“ (cross) in the middle of the Arnsdorf vineyards. Soon after you reach ferry station Arrnsdorf-Spitz. From this point ist not far to the end of this tour at castle Hofarnsdorf.
Starting point of the tour
Aggsbach Dorf, blacksmith’s workshop
Destination point of the tour
Hofarnsdorf, castle
Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 10: Aggsbach Dorf - Hofarnsdorf
From the blacksmith’s workshop in Aggsbach Dorf, where this tour starts, you are walking further to the crossing. Opposite of restaurant „Zur Kartause“ you turn left and start your rise up to the ruin Aggstein. Passing Pestkreuz (plague cross) you reach the parking lot in front of the ruin and walk on uphill through the „Herrenwald“ (wood) and the Aggsteingraben (trench). The ruin dating back to the 12th century once was residcence oft he Kuenringer lineage and knight „Georg Schreck vom Walde“ (Georg fright of the wood). Because of its imposing size and historic importance ruin Aggstein belongs to the most important castles in Austria. Inside a rustic tavern invites you to come in for a refreshment stop (only with entrance fee). After the relaxing rest you follow the wood path to monastery Maria Langegg, where you can visit the pilgirmage museum. From Maria Langegg you continue on again into the Dunkelsteinerwald. Your way leads to the way side shrine „Goldreut“ and the „Friedrichsfelsen“ (rock). Now you have the choice for an excursion to the Hohen Stein (rock), which you can reach via a short climbing section.
Hoher Stein is one of the most beautiful view points in the Wachau offering great views . Continuing on downwards the way now leads through Buchental to the rest place „Glauberkreuz“ (cross) in the middle of the Arnsdorf vineyards (where the opening ceremony of the Wachau World Heritage Trail held place in May 2010). A few hundred meters later you arrive at main road B33. You follow this road to the right and soon after to the left just until above the ferry station between Arnsdorf and Spitz. Don’t walk down to the station just keep straigh on. Parallel to the river the way leads into Hofarnsdorf where you take the left to reach castle and church oft he village. The castle from the Biedermeier period directly built next to the Danube is privately owned and can only be seen from the outside. With a wonderful view of Spitz with the “Tausendeimerberg”, vineyard Atzberg and the red gate on the opposite shore you round off your tour.
Directions
Highway A1 until exit Melk, following B33 to Aggsbach Dorf or Hofarnsdorf.
Parking
At the chartreuse in Aggsbach Dorf or in the center of Hofarnsdorf.
The villages can be reached 7 days a week by public transportation. Its possible to get back to the start of the tour.
At the south bank (WL 720: trainstation Krems-Mautern-Rossatz-Arnsdörfer-Aggsbach Dorf-Schönbühel-trainstation Melk) buses are operating every two hours seven days a week. Aggsbach Dorf and Hofarnsdorf are directly connected with the trainstations Krems and Melk. On the north shore (Bus WL 715 from trainstation Krems via Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk trainstation) hourly buses depart 7 days a week. Spitzer Graben (WL 718 connection between Spitz and Mühldorf) operates from Spitz departing every two hours. Info www.vor.at .
Wachautrain operates on weekends and public holidays (3 times a day) more information: www.noevog.at
At the nature park Jauerling (bus WL 722, www.naturpark-jauerling.at) and to Göttweiger Berg (hill) bus WL 723 operate on weekends and public holidays as shuttle bus service with fixed tours and have to be called one hour prior of departure. Phone: 0043 810 810 278 to make reservation and more info at www.vor.at.
Stations for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) are located in Aggsbach Dorf and Hofarnsdorf. www.nextbike.at
Timetable ferry Arnsdorf to Spitz: March to October. The ferry is not operating on weekends during winter time. More information here.
More info/links
For restaurants and accommodation we recommend „Best of Wachau“ businesses: www.bestof-wachau.at. You find a „Best of Wachau“ member in Aggsbach Dorf.
Further opportunities for restaurants, taverns and cafes and opening hours:
Several restaurants are located in Aggsbach Dorf and Maria Langegg. Please note the shortened opening times of restaurants in winter. In Hofarnsdorf there is only one restaurant. Restaurant „Zur Wachau“ family Zeller which is closed from November 8th until March 20th. During the opening period the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. www.zeller-wachau.at; 0043(0)2714/8217
Restaurant Stumpfer in Schönbühel: Opening times are April, May, June, July, August, September and October from Thursday to Tuesday (Wednesday closed). December till March open from Thursday to Monday (Tuesday and Wednesday closed). Kitchen hours are: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. and 6p.m. to 9p.m. (on Sunday only till 8p.m.). In November the restaurant is closed. www.stumpfer.com Tel: 0043(0)2752/8510
Restaurant/guesthouse „Domingo“, Aggsbach Dorf: open year round, warm food all day long (closed on Wednesday) Phone: 0043(0)2753/8353.
Restaurant/guesthouse „Zur Kartause“, Aggsbach Dorf: open from April to September (closed on Tuesday) www.gasthof-lechner.at; 0043(0)2753/8243.
Restaurant/guesthouse „Zur Post“, Aggsbach Dorf: March till November open daily except Monday. Sunday and public holiday warm food all day long. During winter time closed December, January and February. Phone: 0043(0)2753/8220
Restaurant/Hotel Residenz Wachau, Aggsbach Dorf: open from March 27th to October 31st, kitchen hours daily from 11a.m. to 9p.m. From November till January 5th only open on request with reservation (closed from January 5th till March 27th 2016) www.residenz-wachau.at; 0043(0)2753/8221.
Ruin Aggstein (also stamp station): is open from end of March till end of November. www.ruineaggstein.at; 0043(0)2753/82281
Wine taverns are located in Hofarnsdorf, Bacharnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf and Oberarnsdorf. Several taverns are open during winter time. Please see the current calendar for opening hours (Heurigenkalender) at www.welterbesteig.at.
More opportunities for accommodation are in Aggsbach Dorf, Oberarnsdorf,Hofarnsdorf, Mitterarnsdorf and Bacharnsdorf.
For easy and convenient organization of the tours its good to have the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal application. Just download for Android or iPhone
Equipment
Hiking boots, raincoat, enough to eat and drink, a trail map and maybe a list of open taverns. You can find an equipmentlist on www.welterbesteig.at section service/tips.
Safety information
The last rise up to „Hoher Stein“ is a climbing part, which is secured with ladders and ropes.
In case of an emergency call the mountain rescue Wachau: 140
Author's tip
The chartreuse and the blacksmith’s workshop in Aggsbach Dorf are cultural treasures on the Wachau World Heritage Trail. At the blacksmith’s workshop you can experience a forging demonstration but only for groups on request. (Call 0043(0)2753/8337)
