Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen

The Starhemberg lookout is closed until further notice.

Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140

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.

The hike begins in the picturesque old town of Dürnstein. Just behind the Kremser Tor, the route follows the old Eselsteig. A demonstration garden dedicated to Wachau saffron is located there. Via the old supply route with its stone steps within the town walls, the trail leads to the Dürnstein Castle ruins, which served as a prison for King Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. The ruins are left through the northern castle gate and the trail enters a bizarre rocky and forested landscape. The route leads through partly untouched oak and pine forests and passes the so-called Schlösschen, the ruined outer bailey of the castle. After a steep ascent, the summit of the Schlossberg with the Starhembergwarte is reached. Five minutes later, the Fesslhütte (stamping station) follows, offering an ideal place for a relaxing rest. This is where the high-level trail to Weißenkirchen begins, repeatedly offering fantastic views of the surrounding area. After 5–10 minutes, the Vogelbergsteig is crossed. Here, a detour to the left to the Dürnsteiner Kanzel is worthwhile, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Wachau with views over the Danube Valley and old natural oak forests (approx. 10-minute access path). Back at the junction, the route continues to the right, then takes the first junction to the left and descends in a loop. After passing a barrier, the route turns left and descends along a narrow path. A first wider forest road is reached; here the route goes left and then right three times in succession. This high-level trail now follows an easy-to-walk forest road to the remote hamlet of Schildhütten with the Pomaßl winery and Heuriger (stamping station). At the last house, the route turns right into the vineyards. Passing old abandoned vineyards and crumbling stone terraces, the Klaus and Achleiten vineyards are finally reached. Uphill to the right lies the Achleiten vineyard with a collection of old and rare grape varieties (traditional single-vine cultivation). Via the so-called Panoramaweg Achleiten, the hike leads through the vineyards into the Weitenberg district of Weißenkirchen. There, the route turns left onto a narrow footpath and continues into the old town of Weißenkirchen. Via the historic Kirchensteig, the trail leads to the fortified church and through the wooden staircase to the market square of Weißenkirchen with the magnificent Renaissance building Teisenhoferhof, where the stage ends.

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

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

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

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.