Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf - Rossatz

The tour starts in front of castle and church in Hofarnsdorf. Downstream you  follow the way parallel to the Danube and you will be accompanied by great views seeing ruin Hinterhaus, vineyard Atzberg, Spitz and the defense church  of St. Michael. At Bacharnsdorf you turn right, passing the Roman watchtower „Burgus“ you reach main road B33. There you turn left an after about 150m you are at tavern of family Pammer including the stamp station for this tour. You follow the main path by turning right at the main road and after a few meters left. On the former Roman track (partly you can still recognize the driving grooves) the way leads now along Dürrenbach (creek) into copper valley. You pass the nicely located rest place with various stone sculptures (romantic rock formation). In the middle of the valley on the right hand side you can see Turks gate (partly reduced sight because of overgrowth). This fortification relict of the Arnsdorf villages „Dorfmauern“ (walls) are from the time of the Turkish wars. At Kreuzberg (with way side shrine) in 597m you reach the end of copper valley and turn left and encounter the Camino (Way of St. James). A forest road leads to Rührsdorfer See (lake) with rest place which you will pass by on the left or on the right depending on its current size.

After about 15 minutes you reach Seekopf (671m), where you enjoy a great view from the observation tower. Shortly after you get a wonderful view of the Hirschwand, which can only be reached via a climbing section with ladders (takes about 10 min extra one way). Afterwards you start walking down to Rossatz. At the nature preserve „Steinige Ries“ pathing through partly pure oak wood with bizarre rock formations the way leads steady downwards. Along the way you will be pleased with stunning views of the Wachau valley again and again. At the end of „Steinige Ries“ you walk over the longest dry stone wall path of the Wachau (several hundred meters long). Above the church of St. Lorzen you meet Rossatz panoramic trail and reach the diverson to the ferry station St. Lorenz-Weißenkirchen (about 15 min down to the ferry). Cross field through the vineyards the panoramic trail leads us all the way to church square of Rossatz the end of this stage, finally offering a special view from the lookout point „Smaragdeidechse“ (emerald lizard) directly above church square before ending the tour with a visit at a tavern.