From Mühdorf to Maria Laach you are walking through a beautiful landscape in nature park Jauerling the highest mountain in the Danube area. Wonderful scenic views, the highest vineyards and the nature park house including the Wachau terrace, make this tour to an unforgettable experience.
Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: from Mühldorf to Maria Laach (nature park Jauerling-Wachau)
The tour from Mühldorf to Maria Laach leads you via the hill Trenning (628m) and the highest vineyard of Lawer Austria (vineyard Trenning) to the highest summit in the Danube area called the Jauerling (960m). Walking into the landscape of nature park Jauerling-Wachau you experience majestic views from the nature park house in 915m height. Via the Jauerling plateau and passing the hamlets Gießhübl (with defense yard), Zeißing (with water castle and ruin) and Weinberg, you reach the pilgrimage village Maria Laach with its gothic sanctuary and the farmers‘ market.
Starting point of the tour
Mühldorf, Marktplatz (market square)
Destination point of the tour
Maria Laach, Marktplatz (market square)
Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 05: Mühldorf - Maria Laach
Leaving Mühldorf market square into directon Spitz, you pass Gasthaus (restaurant) „Weißes Rössl“ and the town hall, afterwards you turn right and cross „Spitzer Bach“ (creek). Now the rise up to hill Trenning with a cross on the top begins. At the summit the way leads down to hamlet „Thurn“ with vineyard „Trenning“, the highest vineyard of Lawer Austria (450m). At the hamlet the way leads you up to the Jauerling. On picturesque woodpathes and forestroads you keep walking until you reach the nature park house with its Wachau terrace. On the right side after about 10 minutes walking you reach the cross at the top of Jauerling. Back at the natur park house you cross the parking lot, turn right and reach „Turnerwiese“(meadow). There you keep left and soon you will see the observation tower Jauerling (Jauerlingwarte) where you get a panoramic view from Schneeberg (snow mountain) until the Watzmann (very famous mountain in Bavaria). Afterwards you are walking down to the upper station of the ski lift and pass a cabin called „Stauferhütte“ (lumberjack hut) into the woods. The wood path leads you to a glade near Gießhübl, where you can make a little excursion to the „Haberghütte“ (cabin snacks and drinks available) opposite the medieval defense yard Gießhübel. Via the historic church track the way leads down to Zeißing, getting some great views of Melk abbey and Maria Laach. At the crossing before the village entrance you turn left for a little excursion to the rest place at the ruin of castle Zeißing and the water castle. Back at the crossing you follow the gravel path up to hamlet Weinberg, -again some great views along the way- and soon you reach the end of this stage the market square in Maria Laach.
Directions
Highway A1 until exit Melk, following B3 and B217 to Mühldorf or Maria Laach.
Parking
At the center of Mühldorf or Maria Laach.
The places are not directly connected by public transportation. We recommend a taxi service to get back to the beginning of your tour. Taxi companies are: Bernhardt in Spitz, Tel.: 0043(0)2713/2222 or Stummvoll in Mühldorf, Tel.: 0043(0)676/6242892.
Its possible to go to Mühldorf with the buses (WL 715 and WL 718) starting from trainstation Melk or Krems with a change in Spitz. On Weekends and public holidays also the shuttle service WL 7 is operating on a fixed tour. 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
A station for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) is located in Mühldorf(market square). More information: www.nextbike.at
Author's tip
Farmers market in Maria Laach: The farmers of Jauerling region offer their specialties every Saturday in the Kerblerhaus (shop) at the market square from 9a.m. to 3p.m. (Phone: 0043(0)2712/531).
