Hiking The Beautiful Panoramaweg in Rossatz, Wachau
As one of my favorite regions in Lower Austria, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited the Wachau Valley.
A few days ago, my boyfriend and I planned another day trip to the Wachau, hoping to catch the apricot blossom – unfortunately, we were a bit too late.
(Note to self: Go earlier next time. 😉)
While we usually stick to the left side of the Danube, visiting places like Weißenkirchen, Spitz, and Dürnstein – one of Austria’s most beautiful towns – we decided to explore the right side of the river this time.
We didn’t want to just visit some villages there, but since the weather was dry and the temperature was good (just a bit too cloudy), we decided to go for a lovely hike around the area.
In search of good hiking options, I stumbled upon the Panoramaweg (panorama trail) Rossatz – a trail I had heard of before but had never hiked myself. It promised stunning views of the Danube, Dürnstein, and Weißenkirchen, along with a journey through vineyards and orchards.
That’s all it needed to convince me to see it for myself!
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The Start of The Panoramaweg Rossatz
The good thing is that you can start the Panoramaweg Rossatz from different points, depending on what suits you best. We originally planned to start in Rossatz, but the parking lot “Parkplatz Mettenerplatz” was already full when we arrived around 10:00 am.
So we continued to Rossatzbach and found a free spot at the small parking area on the left side of the street, right by the Danube ferry that connects Rossatzbach with Dürnstein.
Alternatively, if you’re up for a longer hike, you can start from one of the neighboring villages like Oberarnsdorf.
If you start like we did in Rossatzbach, just follow the street towards Rossatz until you reach the wine bar “Rehrl-Fischer”. From there, you’ll already see the signs for the Panoramaweg.
Directly opposite the wine bar is a bus station, in case you decide to arrive by public transport.
What to See Along The Panoramaweg Rossatz
There’s a lot to discover along the Panoramaweg – and not just the scenic views of the Danube’s left bank.
Smaragdplatzl
If you take a look at the yellow signs by the wine bar, you’ll spot one at the bottom that says ‘Smaragdeidechse über Panoramaweg’. It marks one of the first special spots and highlights you’ll come across on the trail.
After a 30-minute hike, following the signs through vineyards and up gentle hills, you’ll reach the so-called ‘Smaragdplatzl’.
The Smaragdplatzl is a small viewpoint surrounded by vineyards, offering stunning views over the Danube and the Wachau valley.
There’s a bench where you can take a break and enjoy the scenery, plus an info board that tells you more about the local wildlife, especially the Smaragdeidechse (European green lizard). With its shiny green color, it’s not just rare but also a symbol of the Wachau.
There’s even a statue of the lizard perched at the edge of the viewpoint, watching over the valley below.
Fun fact: ‘Smaragd’ is also the name given to the Wachau’s highest quality wines – so the lizard and the wine share more than just a name!
Marillenmeile (Apricot Mile)
Leaving the Smaragdplatzl behind and following the signs, you’ll continue along the Marillenmeile (Apricot Mile), a stretch of the Wachau valley famous for its apricot orchards and also part of the Panoramaweg.
As you walk along the Marillenmeile, you’ll come across informative signs that share interesting facts about the apricot orchards. They explain the history, growing process, and importance of apricots in the area, giving you more insight into the local culture and this famous fruit.
From the sign above, continue for another 10 minutes until you reach a crossing with several more signs, some pointing towards the Wachau World Heritage Trail. Along the way, you’ll get some great views of the village of Weißenkirchen on the opposite side of the Danube.
Take a right and follow the ‘Panoramaweg/Rührsdorf’ and ‘Marillenmeile’ signs towards the main street.
On the way to the main street, you’ll pass the vineyards of the famous Domäne Wachau winery, where they grow Riesling grapes.
At the main street, take a right and walk a bit along the road until you reach another intersection. There, take a left and follow the side roads. From this point on, you’ll only see signs for the ‘Marillenmeile,’ which you should follow.
Fruit Orchards, Vineyards & Wine Bars
The rest of the trail takes you through the small village of Rührsdorf, passing orchards, vineyards, and wineries, as you make your way back to Rossatz or Rossatzbach.
Depending on the season, you might find locals selling apricot products like jams, liqueurs, desserts, and wines in villages like Rührsdorf and Rossatz along the route.
Make sure to stop at one of the many wine bars – so-called ‘Heuriger’ – along the way to try some of the famous Wachau wines.
Final Thoughts
Depending on where you start and whether you follow the exact route we took, the hike will take about 2–3 hours and cover roughly 9 km. The path is well-maintained, mostly easy to walk, and suitable for most fitness levels.
As already mentioned, you can start the Panoramaweg at various points, such as in the villages of Rossatz or Rührsdorf.
The trail is flexible – you can shorten or extend your hike by choosing different starting points or detours, or even hike it in the opposite direction!
No matter how you decide, it’s a wonderful experience with breathtaking views and the chance to explore the beautiful Wachau region, whether as a day trip from Vienna or while staying in the area.
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