I haven’t done a longer hike for a while. At first I was ill, then I rested and prepared for the race around the Wolfgangsee. But a week after the race, I felt fit enough to do something longer. So let’s continue with my journey through the Wachau on the World Heritage Trail.
To Weißenkirchen#
My last hike ended in Weißenkirchen, so I continue there again with the third stage from Weißenkirchen to Spitz. This time, too, I decided to make the stage a circular route and start in Spitz. It rains just before I arrive, but the weather is in my favour on this day. It clears up and I can enjoy a beautiful warm autumn day with a brisk westerly wind. Simply a perfectly picturesque day. A few leaves fly through the air and the sun shines between the clouds.
The first part is flat again. I run along the Danube to the Church of St Michael, where I cross under the road through a narrow underpass and walk up a few steps to the church. I then follow the small paths next to the railway line through the vineyards behind Wösendorf, a picturesque village with narrow alleyways. The surface varies between tarmac and dirt track.
Weißenkirchen vineyards#
In Joching I change to the former main road to Weißenkirchen. Arriving in Weißenkirchen at the market square in front of the mighty fortified church, I pick up the trail of the World Heritage Trail again. The signposting makes it easy for me. In the old town centre with its pretty winegrowers’ houses, I climb a medieval-looking staircase up to the Burg, as it is called here. Now that I have gained a bit altitude, I can enjoy my first panoramic view of the Danube valley and the vineyards around Weißenkirchen.
More, even more marvellous views are to follow. The hike is breathtaking. But in a good, visual sense, not because it is so strenuous. From this point onwards, almost all the clouds cleared and it became sunny and warm. I could do with that, as the strong wind was blowing in my direction and cooled me down on the climb to the forest.
The path leads steadily upwards through the vineyards. It is already late in the season and the grapes have already been harvested. All that remains are the vines with their already yellow-coloured leaves. Their colouring and the sun’s rays lend the scenery a wonderful, autumnal atmosphere. I take another look back at autumnal Weißenkirchen and then it’s off into the forest. Many other hikers also take advantage of this marvellous day for a walk.
Mitterecker forest#
This play of colours continues in the forest. In contrast to the second stage, this section of the forest also offers repeated views of the Danube valley. You are not so surrounded by trees and clearings alternate with sections of forest. The path also varies a lot more, which is why you rarely get bored. There is so much to see. I enjoy the view of Spitz an der Donau one last time before heading back downhill through the mixed ash and beech forest. I really enjoy running briskly along this beaten track. It’s great fun to run down here. The wind makes the leaves rustle and the branches sway.
After arriving down in the Mießling valley, I have to climb a little again, but fortunately the last metres of altitude this day before I reach the Red Gate. It is a remnant of the Spitz town wall and was the last of the seven Spitz gates to fall against the Swedes during the Thirty Years’ War. Today the gate has fallen into disrepair.
Spitz an der Donau#
From here, I once again enjoy the view over the Rieden Achspoint and Singerriedel, with Spitz an der Donau in the centre. Afterwards, you either descend to Spitz via a hollow path or choose the high route over the vineyards, which descends via serpentines at the Danube. The destination remains the same in both cases.
