Rossatz: Apricot Gardens, Floodplain and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in Rossatz
Rossatz combines trails through apricot gardens and vineyards with a floodplain forest, viewpoints and historic buildings. If you are looking for accommodation in Rossatz, you can plan your stay around whether you are mainly interested in hiking, observing nature, discovering culture or sampling local specialities. The options vary in character, from circular hiking trails and a section of the World Heritage Trail Wachau to walks in Pritzenau.
Hiking Trails through Gardens and Countryside
The Marillenmeile consists of circular hiking trails through apricot gardens, with information boards along the way. The Rossatz Panorama Trail, by contrast, follows a high-level route past vineyards, orchards and stone terraces. The two trails therefore offer different perspectives on the cultural landscape: the Marillenmeile leads through the gardens, while the Panorama Trail is lined with vineyards, orchards and man-made stone terraces.
Another option is Stage 12 of the World Heritage Trail Wachau, called Rossatz–Unterbergern. It starts at Kirchenplatz in Rossatz and passes through the nature reserve on Toten Berg, continuing to a sandy beach with a bicycle ferry. Starting at Kirchenplatz and passing through the protected area gives this stage a different focus from the circular trails through apricot gardens or the high-level route of the Panorama Trail.
Pritzenau, Seekopf and Hirschwand
Pritzenau near Rossatz is a floodplain forest between the Danube and the vineyards. Expansive meadows, old trees and quiet side channels define the area. Walks are possible through renaturalised floodplain areas along former Danube channels. The wildlife is also part of what characterises the floodplain: rare fish species such as nase, streber and the famous Danube salmon find habitat and refuge in Pritzenau.
For a viewpoint, Seekopf is a good choice. It lies at an elevation of 671 metres; from there, the view extends both upstream and downstream along the Danube, east to the Tullnerfeld and south to the distant Alpine peaks of Ă–tscher and DĂĽrrenstein. At Hirschwand, the miniature via ferrata lets you climb a rock face that rises about 15 metres. This offers a choice between a viewpoint with far-reaching views and a specific climbing activity.
Castle, Church and Local Specialities
Rossatz Castle is a former castle belonging to Count Schönborn, with attractive three-storey arcades. Since 1859, it has been owned by the people of Rossatz in the form of an agricultural cooperative. Rossatz Church reflects several historical periods: its core structure features Early Gothic elements dating to around 1320, while the Late Gothic west tower was built in the 15th century. The choir contains paintings from the M. J. Schmidt school, created around 1800. The core structure, tower and choir paintings can therefore be attributed to different periods.
Heurigen taverns are also part of the local offering: regional specialities and Wachau wines are served in Rossatz and RĂĽhrsdorf. If you would like to include local cuisine in your stay as well as hiking and historic buildings, these two place names are useful reference points.
Getting There and Seasonal Connection
Bus route 720 runs from Krems and Melk to the “Rossatzbach Bundesstraße” stop. From there, it is a four-minute walk to the starting point of the Rossatz Panorama Trail. This provides a specific stop name and walking time to the starting point for anyone planning a hike on this trail.
The Dürnstein–Rossatz motor ferry connects the two towns from Easter to the end of October. If you are planning a ferry crossing, check the current timetable for your visit. This lets you incorporate the seasonal connection into your day’s plans without confusing it with the hiking trails described above.
Discover more destinations: MĂĽhldorf, Schwallenbach, Aggsbach Markt, Ă–tz, Spitz, Willendorf In Der Wachau.
Back to the main travel overview: Krems-Land.
