Relaxed, rewarding long-distance walking in the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Wachau: the Wachau World Heritage Trail links Melk and Krems over 180 kilometres, combining a unique cultural and natural setting with rich history and regional cuisine. Culture and landscape have shaped one another for centuries; rare habitats such as dry grasslands and dry-stone walls, as well as remarkably well-preserved towns and villages, bear witness to a long tradition of settlement. Nowhere else can the Danube be experienced on foot more beautifully than on the World Heritage Trail’s 14 stages. Yet the Wachau offers more than dramatic scenery: after walking through the vineyards, typical Wachau wines can be enjoyed at a traditional Heuriger, in a classic inn, or in one of the region’s acclaimed restaurants.
The Wachau World Heritage Trail also holds the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification represents high standards in route design, waymarking, safety and infrastructure, confirming the trail as a reliable, high-quality walking experience at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site. For a carefree, all-round offer—including luggage transfer, tastings and transfers—one of the varied walking packages is recommended.
Why is the Wachau a UNESCO World Heritage region?
Because nature, culture and human land use have evolved here in an exceptional way over centuries. Finely curated World Heritage Spots along the Wachau World Heritage Trail make this distinctive character visible and tangible. From these viewpoints and places, impressive perspectives open up onto the region’s World Heritage Highlights—historic towns, striking landforms, traditional wine culture and near-natural stretches of the Danube—together expressing the Wachau’s outstanding universal value.
Thanks to excellent rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is straightforward. Within the region, a dense public transport network makes all stages easy to reach by bus, train, ferry and boat, allowing stages to be combined with great flexibility.
