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Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen

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  • Dürnsteiner Kanzel
    Dürnsteiner Kanzel
    Photo: Donau Niederösterreich Robert Herbst, Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal

Selected alternatives for you
    On the nearly 17 km long hike from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen, the probably most famous castle ruin of Austria, dreamlike views and famous stone terrace vineyards such as the Klaus and Achleiten vineyards await us.
    moderate
    Distance 16.4 km
    6:00 h
    491 m
    494 m
    544 m
    209 m
    Welterbesteig Wachau: From Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen

    From Dürnstein, we hike to Austria's most famous castle ruin "Dürnstein Ruins", through a fascinating forest and rock landscape to the pulpit, one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Wachau. Through picturesque vineyards, our route leads into the wine-growing town of Weißenkirchen with its impressive fortified church.

    Author’s recommendation

    Right at the beginning of the stage, on the Eselsteig in Dürnstein, there is a demonstration garden of the Wachau Saffron Manufactory. This precious culinary plant always blooms from October to November.
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    Author
    Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    LogoWachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Responsible for this content
    Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    T2moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    544 m
    Lowest point
    209 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 7.01%Dirt road 48.82%Forested/wild trail 25.03%Path 18.46%Road 0.40%Unknown 0.25%
    Asphalt
    1.1 km
    Dirt road
    8 km
    Forested/wild trail
    4.1 km
    Path
    3 km
    Road
    67 m
    Unknown
    41 m
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    The Starhemberg lookout is closed until further notice.

    Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140

    Tips and suggestions

    Best of Wachau: The most renowned and recommended gastronomy and accommodation businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau can be found at Best of Wachau.

    Fesslhütte, Dürnstein forest huts (stamp station): Summer season: April-October. Winter opening hours on request.

    Wine tavern and refreshment station Pomaßl, Weißenkirchen Schildhütten (stamp station)

    The refreshment station (water, non-alcoholic drinks, and wine) is always accessible and is located in the refrigerator below the stamp station.

    Further information on dining and accommodation options can be found at www.wachau.at. Please note the shortened winter opening hours of the Weißenkirchen gastronomy businesses (November-March), www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at.

    Wine taverns can be found in Dürnstein, Schildhütten (stamp and refreshment station Pomaßl), and in Weißenkirchen. Several wine taverns are open in winter. Please refer to the current wine tavern calendar.

    For simple and convenient planning of the routes, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Easily download for Android or iPhone.

    Public transport

    The towns can be reached seven days a week by public transport (bus and Wachau railway). Return to the starting point of the hike is possible.

    On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.at

    The Wachau railway runs from the end of March to the end of October only on weekends and public holidays, daily from July to the end of September. www.wachaubahn.at

    Stations for the rental bike Nextbike are located in Krems and Dürnstein. www.nextbike.at

    With the following ferries, you can quickly cross the Danube bank:

    -Roll ferry Weißenkirchen-St. Lorenz www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at

    -Bike ferry Dürnstein-Rossatz www.faehre-wachau.at

    Directions

    A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 and B3 via Krems to Dürnstein or Weißenkirchen

    Parking

    Paid parking spaces near Dürnstein or at the Danube beach or train station in Weißenkirchen

    Coordinates

    DD
    48.394361, 15.521126
    DMS
    48°23'39.7"N 15°31'16.1"E
    UTM
    33U 538576 5360264
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

    Similar routes nearby

    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 12: Rossatz-Unterbergern
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 13: Unterbergern-Mautern
    • Welterbesteig Wachau Etappe 11, Zustieg von der Fährstation St. Lorenz
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 03: Weißenkirchen-Spitz
    • Long-distance trail Kremstal-Donau 02: Mautern - Furth near Göttweig
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    T2moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    16.4 km
    Duration
    6:00 h
    Ascent
    491 m
    Descent
    494 m
    Highest point
    544 m
    Lowest point
    209 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Flora

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