Just a week after the half marathon in Linz, I turn my attention back to the World Heritage Trail. A little more rest and quiet would certainly have been appropriate, but the weather promises summer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, in stark contrast to the forecasts for the following weeks. A cold front with plenty of rain was forecast. So I had to take advantage of this window before it closed again for an uncertain period of time.
Emmersdorf#
I start in Emmersdorf, a small village opposite Melk. Melk Abbey is visible from afar on the opposite side of the Danube and I take a few photos. I won’t see much more of the abbey for the next few kilometres, as I now turn my back on it. There is one last small climb before the path switches to the southern side of the Danube.
First I cross a beautiful aqueduct of the Wachau railway. I turn left up to Rothenhof Castle, which is not clearly visible. I can already feel the effort of the first ascent. I would have expected a little more energy, but it’s been a while since my last hill run. Passing the castle, I leave Emmersdorf and continue uphill along the Jägersteig trail through a long stretch of forest. The name sounds wilder than it is. The trail is only a moderately ascending holloway.
Apricot orchards in Rantenberg#
At the top, I am greeted by two large apricot orchards. The trees would have blossomed a few weeks earlier. Now they have lost their flowers. I reach the small village of Rantenberg, where I collect my stamp. I’m on a hill, but Melk Abbey is nowhere in sight.
I head back into the forest. A stop at the Dachberg ranger station was actually planned here, but it is closed due to dilapidation. I therefore save myself the trip there. Once in the forest, I quickly descend the footpath. In summer, the vegetation here could cause minor problems. Even now it is already growing splendidly. Then back through a passage under the Danube embankment railway and I’m at Luberegg palace.
From Luberegg Castle via the Danube floodplains to Melk#
The following section to Melk is flat, mostly on cycle paths and leads through alluvial plains and former Danube floodplains. Melk Abbey is only visible when crossing the Danube at the Melk Danube power station and then again in Melk. All in all, less exciting. Only the ships can be seen from the power station as they cross the power station via locks.
As the stage is rather short and has little ascent, it can also be easily combined with stage 7. In my opinion, it is more of a connecting stage and doesn’t quite come close to the other stages. If you do this stage on its own, you should definitely combine it with a visit to Melk Abbey and a stroll through the old town centre of Melk. Or pay a visit to the summer plays in the Wachau Arena in the evening in summer. The theatre plays are always exciting and entertaining.