Wachau World Heritage Trail 05: Mühldorf - Maria Laach

Maria Laach, Marktplatz (market square)

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.