DUR 6: Gerolding-Melk
Hiking tour Starting from Gerolding Main Square
The 160-kilometre Dunkelsteinerwald-Runde (DUR) connects the most beautiful places in the Dunkelsteinerwald region in a total of 9 stages (and 4 connecting trails). An incomparable enjoyment of nature and hiking. The sixth stage (DUR 6) leads from Gerolding to Melk. All stages and connecting trails: www.dunkelsteinerwaldrunde.at.
The 160-kilometre Dunkelsteinerwald-Runde (DUR) connects the most beautiful places in the Dunkelsteinerwald region in a total of 9 stages (and 4 connecting trails). An incomparable enjoyment of nature and hiking. The sixth stage (DUR 6) leads from Gerolding to Melk. All stages and connecting trails: www.dunkelsteinerwaldrunde.at.
DUR 6 leads us from Gerolding to Halterberg, from where there is a magnificent view of Melk and the Nibelungengau. Via the Hohenwarter Höhe and Berging we reach Schönbühel and on to Hub. From here we hike to the mouth of the Pielach and along the footpath and cycle path to Melk. The path over the Stiftsfelsen leads us directly to the parking lot of the Benedictine Abbey of Melk.
We start the DUR at the village square in Gerolding and hike past the Marchhart Inn. We continue straight ahead until we reach the last house on the left, where we turn left and head toward Halterberg. We cross a meadow and then turn right. If you’d like to take a short detour to Halterberg for a magnificent panoramic view of Melk and the Nibelungengau region, turn left here. It’s only a few minutes to Halterberg. Back on the DUR, we follow the trail and turn left into the forest. We follow the path uphill until we reach a hunting lodge. From here on, the trail leads downhill until we reach the small village of Berging. When we emerge from the forest, we turn right at the first house and then continue straight ahead to reach the main road. Here, we turn left and follow the path to the water tower just past the town limits. Here, we’re treated to another beautiful view of the Danube and the Melk power plant. Here, we turn left onto a dirt road that leads us—all downhill—into the town of Schönbühel. At the first houses, we keep to the left and follow the path until we’re almost at the main road. We take the cross street just before it and turn left. At the end of the road, turn left again immediately, then turn right twice. At the Schönbühel town sign, we continue straight ahead along a farm road until we turn left onto a footpath that leads us to the road to Hub. Here, we turn left and cross the road to reach Hub. In Hub, we keep right twice and hike along field and meadow paths to the mouth of the Pielach. Here, we turn left and follow the walking and biking path straight ahead to Melk. At the gas station, we turn right toward the boat dock and then immediately keep left. Once we reach the main road, we cross it and walk along a farm track past the Stiftsfelsen to our destination, the parking lot at Melk Abbey. Here we have an impressive view of the Benedictine monastery complex, which invites us to explore it.
