Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12,40 km
Duration: 4:30 h
Ascent: 354 m elevation gain
Descent: 344 m elevation gain

From Krems to Dürnstein, we hike through the historic districts of Krems and Stein - Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque ensembles - through wine cellar lanes and into the Krems Valley ("Kremstal" German) and Wachau stone terrace wine landscape. At the end of the stage, we reach the pearl of the Wachau: The medieval town of Dürnstein with its famous castle ruins.

Starting point of the tour: Krems, Hoher Markt (High market)
Tour destination: Dürnstein, Altstadt („old part of town“)

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12,40 km
Duration: 4:30 h
Ascent: 354 m elevation gain
Descent: 344 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point207 m
Highest point307 m

Stage tour
Nice views
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Krems to Dürnstein

The stage from Krems to Dürnstein leads through one of the most impressive cultural landscapes of the Wachau and combines urban heritage with viticulture, nature reserves and striking vantage points. The starting point is the Hohe Markt with the historic Gozzo Castle in Krems. Passing the Piarist Church, the route opens up via the Kreuzbergstiege into the Krems vineyards, where sweeping views over the Danube valley and the surrounding vineyards characterize the scenic charm.

Through the historic old town of Stein and the characteristic Steiner wine landscape with its castle ruins, the route continues eastwards along old wine trails. The actual wine-growing region of the Wachau is reached via the Pfaffenberg, which offers a scenic highlight with the imposing Ried Loibenberg. The Höhereck and Kellerberg nature reserves show the special ecological diversity of the region, before a fascinating rock and forest landscape with old pine and oak stands opens up below the Dürnstein castle ruins. The trail finally leads over the panoramic Kuhberg hill down to the Kremser Tor gate and into the historic town center of Dürnstein.

Hiking along the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail reveals step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along finely curated World Heritage spots, the defining World Heritage highlights become visible - the interplay of historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, extraordinary natural spaces and the Danube as a shaping element.

For a carefree all-round offer, including luggage transportation, tastings and transfer services, we recommend booking one of the versatile hiking packages.

Thanks to good rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is easy. A dense network of public transport in the region ensures that all stages can be easily reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.

The Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality. This certification stands for high quality standards in terms of route guidance, signposting, safety and infrastructure and confirms the World Heritage Trail as a reliable and high-quality hiking offer in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Equipment Hiking boots, raincoat, enough to eat and drink, a trail map and maybe a list of open taverns. You can find an equipmentlist on www.welterbesteig.at section service/tips.
Route description At „Hoher Markt“ high market in Krems with the Gozzoburg (castle) you walk north to the old Piarist convent (today University of Applied Sciences) and its church, where a gorgeous view over the old part of town awaits you. After the church you turn right and then down to the left. You are crossing the old ditch with the city wall and reach Alauntalstreet. Only a few steps later you find „Kreuzbergstiege“ (stairs) the most beautiful outdoor staircase of the World Heritage Trail. Passing old villas you walk up towards „Kreuzberg“(hill). At the end of the stairs you turn left and get into „ Ried Kögel“ and the vineyards of Krems. Again stunning views. The way leads through the vineyards and down to University Campus of Krems. On the road you turn right,- the University on your left- cross the street and reach philosophers track. Below the vineyards of Stein you cross the rails of Wachautrain and arrive at the medieval gate „Wiedentor“ (access to the vineyards of Stein). A couple of meters further you enter the cellar alley of Stein with several „Heurigen“ taverns and attain a gate called „Steiner Rebentor“ and the „Frauenbergkirche“ (women hill church): a nice restplace and viewpoint. At the entrance gate of tavern family „Mayr-Resch“ you find the stamp station.You follow the cellar alley until the train, walk down the stairs, cross the street and take the stairs up to the ruin Stein and the vineyard „Altenburg“. The way leads through the idyllic vineyards of Stein and the „Förthofgraben“ (trench). It bends right up to „Pfaffenberg“ (hill), which marks the beginning of the wine growing part of the Wachau. From now on you follow an old winetrack, passing the hamlet „Rothenhof“ and enter the wonderful wine scenery of „Loibenberg“ with its stone terraces. On the wine path „Loibenweg“ you walk through well known vineyards such as „Steinertal, Höhereck and Kellerberg“.The summits of Höhereck and Kellerberg are biodiverse dry grasslands and former grazing lands, which are preserved areas. These dry habitats give shelter to seldom orchids, mantis and the famous stonefeathergras. On „Kellerberg“ you see the small baroque castle „Kellerschlößerl“ (former pleasure palace of cloister Dürnstein) and the big winery domain Wachau. Leaving the vineyards and entering a small, bizarre rock- and forest landscape walking on a narrow path you reach „Kuhberg“ (cowhill) above Dürnstein. Below that you turn stay left and after a few minutes you reach „Kremser Tor“ gate (or also known as „Steinertorturm“) and the old part of Dürnstein.
Parking At the car park in the city center of Krems or at the parking lots a littel outside of Dürnstein all with parking fee! Please note the parking system in the zones of Krems and Stein downtown which are just for a certain time and parking fee. More information you find on Krems homepage www.krems.gv.at.
Getting there Highway A1 until intersection St.Pölten, following S33 to Krems or B3 until Dürnstein.
Public transport The villages can be reached 7 days a week by public transportation (bus or train). Its possible to get back to the start of the tour.On the north shore (Bus WL 715 from trainstation Krems via Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk trainstation) hourly buses depart 7 days a week, more information: www.vor.atWachautrain operates on weekends and public holidays (3 times a day). More information: www.noevog.atStations for the bike rent system „nextbike“ (1€ per hour) are located in Krems and Dürnstein. More information: www.nextbike.atBike ferry Dürnstein to Rossatz: the ferry operates from April to October. More information here.
Editor’s tip The Gozzoburg (castle) at high market in Krems belongs to the most precious gothic city palaces north of the Alps. Info: www.museumkrems.at or phone: 0043 2732 801567. Abbey Dürnstein is an exceptional example for Austiran Baroque. The blue tower is a landmark of Dürnstein and the Wachau. Info: www.stiftduernstein.at or phone: 0043 2711 227.

Recommended period

Current weather in Krems an der Donau

4° to 11°

Today, 03.03.2026

Fog

Wind speed1,2 km/h

2° to 12°

Tomorrow, 04.03.2026

Fog

Wind speed1,0 km/h

Best of Wachau: The most famous and recommendable restaurants and accommodations in the Wachau „UNESCO-World-Heritage“ you find here at www.bestof-wachau.at.

You can find more information about restaurants and accommodations at www.welterbesteig.at .

Taverns are in Krems, Stein, Förthof and Dürnstein. Several taverns are also open in winter. Please see the current calendar for opening hours (Heurigenkalender) at www.welterbesteig.at .

For easy and convenient organization of the tours its good to have the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal application. Just download for Android or iPhone.

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026