The wind is blowing strongly from the west when I arrive in Aggsbach Markt. Fortunately, this time the route leads mostly through forests and the foothills of the Jauerling offer plenty of shelter. The temperatures at midday are also surprisingly high for this April day, almost 25°C. I therefore fill up my water bottles in the small market square before setting off so as not to run out of water later on.
Ascent next to Aggsbach Markt#
The stage begins just around the corner from a beautifully rustic house with a stone façade. I walk briefly along the old village road until I turn right uphill. Shortly after the railway underpass, I leave the village and reach the forest. From now on I walk steadily and steeply uphill to the Jauerling plateau. I take a short break at a bench and enjoy the panoramic view over Aggsbach Markt and the village of Aggsbach on the opposite side of the Danube. The old beech and ash trees of the Dunkelsteinerwald forest colour the hills a lush green. The ruin of Aggstein stands out of them as a grey mass of stone.
The forest path flattens out. Now I can walk comfortably again. The terrain now rolls gently along and even slopes down to Zintring. Here, unfortunately, you run on a short stretch of road until you change back to a forest path in Zintring. This then drops considerably and you reach the Grimsingbach gorge via hairpin bends.
Down by the stream crossing, the wind has recently caused a lot of damage. A number of fallen trees are lying across and blocking the path. The forestry work has only just begun. The sawdust is still fresh. After the stream, I walk back up the gorge in a hairpin bend. I also meet another hiking group. It was not to be the only one. Two more couples take advantage of the beautiful day for a hike.
Down to Gossam#
I leave the forest shortly before the former guesthouse “Waldruhe”, where I also find the stamp for this stage on the wall of the house. I cross the road but don’t go to Felbring, instead turning off onto a dirt track. This leads me past a small pond and through a Christmas tree plantation. A gate allows me to cross the fence around the plantation. A sign says “Please close”.
From now on, the walk is quite pleasant, steadily and gently downhill on a forest road along the Felbringbach stream. At the end, I cross the stream on a small bridge. If you want, you can also wade through the water. This is the only option for vehicles.
A few minutes from here are the ruins of Gossam Castle Church. However, I decide not to take this little diversions but to continue straight on. I can feel my strength slowly dwindling. The heat is getting to me more than I expected. Another steep climb awaits me: the Briefträgersteig.
Briefträgersteig to Emmersdorf#
It starts at the Käfermühle: short but steep. It probably got its name from the postmen who used to commute back and forth between the mill and Mödelsdorf. It is almost the direct route over the forest slope. Unfortunately, I’m no longer as fast as the postman. The climb is strenuous. Via Mödelsdorf, the route then descends to Emmersdorf, the destination of the stage.
In the fields above Emmersdorf, there is a great panorama of Melk Abbey, which stands out from the Danube and the rest of the landscape on a rocky hilltop, and the two towers in Emmersdorf, the church tower and Rothenhof Castle. Finally, the path leads past the parish church of Hofamt and down a flight of steps to the village street and the Danube.
Another rather quiet stage, through lots of beech and spruce forest and two steep climbs. If you still have enough energy, the 8th stage of the World Heritage Trail, which leads to Melk, not far away, is a suitable extension.