Wachau World Heritage Trail 09: Melk-Aggsbach Dorf

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15,70 km
Duration: 6:00 h
Ascent: 509 m elevation gain
Descent: 513 m elevation gain

We hike 16 km from Melk over the Hohenwarther Höhe past the Hammerschmiede forge to Aggsbach Dorf. We experience great views of the Danube, the impressive Schönbühel Castle and Melk Abbey, idyllic villages and diverse nature on our tour.

Starting point of the tour: Melk, town hall square
Tour destination: Aggsbach Dorf, Hammerschmiede

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15,70 km
Duration: 6:00 h
Ascent: 509 m elevation gain
Descent: 513 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
5/6

Lowest point208 m
Highest point527 m

Stage tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Melk to Aggsbach Dorf

The stage from Melk to Aggsbach Dorf starts at the main square in Melk and leads past the baroque Melk Abbey up to the Pielachberg. The Jonaskreuz offers a wide panoramic view of the Danube, the Jauerling and the surrounding countryside. A historic farm track then leads to Schönbühel, whose striking castle high above the river dominates the landscape.

Through the village of Berging, the trail continues through wooded areas up to the Hohenwarther Höhe, which offers impressive panoramic views over the Dunkelsteinerwald forest. Via the Hohenwarthberg, the route finally leads down to Aggsbach Dorf and the Danube, where this varied stage of the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail comes to an end.

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 transport, 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 Sturdy hiking shoes, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as the Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
Route description Our stage begins at the main square in Melk. From here, it is not far to the town hall square, which we cross lengthwise and then immediately turn left up Sechsergasse. We reach the Klostersteig and immediately the Melk Abbey, where we turn right onto Abt-Dietmayrstraße. Slightly downhill, we soon reach Wiener Straße and follow it out of town past the outdoor swimming pool. We go under the main road, go straight ahead at the roundabout, and reach the Pielach via Pielacher Straße. We cross the river on a small bridge, turn left at the first street, and shortly after keep right again. We hike up to Pielachberg and turn left in the village at the top. On an old farm road, we reach the Jonas Cross at 344 m. The beautiful rest area offers a wonderful view of the Danube, the Jauerling, and towards Melk. After a long rest, we follow the farm road further towards Hub and descend to Schönbühel with its impressive castle. We cross the federal road and walk along the Danube promenade by the flood protection wall. In the village, there are several taverns inviting you for a cozy break. In front of the municipal square, we go right and follow Rossbachweg to Berging. In the village, we enjoy a great view over Schönbühel and the picturesque course of the Danube. We walk along the main road and turn right. Now it goes up shady forest paths to the Hohenwarther Höhe. From 475 m, we have a magnificent panoramic view over the Dunkelsteinerwald. Afterwards, we hike over Hohenwarthberg down towards the Danube to Aggsbach Dorf. At Hotel Residenz Wachau (stamp station), we cross the street to the Danube, where our stage ends.
Parking At the parking lot by the boat docks on the Danube in Melk or at the Aggsbach Dorf Charterhouse
Getting there A1 to Melk, continue on B33 to Aggsbach Dorf
Public transport The villages are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.Melk lies on the Westbahn railway line and is connected to Krems station by bus line 720 (Krems-Rossatz - Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems). On the north bank, bus line 715 runs from Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.atNextbike bike rental stations are located in Melk and Aggsbach Dorf, www.nextbike.at
Editor’s tip If you have some time, you can visit the Aggsbach Charterhouse.

Recommended period

Current weather in Melk

4° to 6°

Today, 03.03.2026

Partly cloudy

Wind speed2,0 km/h

2° to 11°

Tomorrow, 04.03.2026

Wind speed1,3 km/h

For dining and overnight accommodation, we recommend Best of Wachau enterprises: www.bestof-wachau.at. Best of Wachau enterprises are located in Melk and Aggsbach Dorf.

Dining options/opening times:

In Melk, there are several restaurants and cafes open year-round, www.stadt-melk.at. In Melk Abbey, there is the Abbey restaurant. www.stiftsrestaurant-melk.at Tel. 02752/52555

Restaurant/guesthouse "Domingo", Aggsbach Dorf: Tel. 02753/8353.

Inn/guesthouse "Zur Kartause", Aggsbach Dorf www.gasthof-lechner.at; Tel. 02753/8243

Restaurant/Hotel Residenz Wachau, Aggsbach Dorf www.residenz-wachau.at; Tel. 02753/8221

Please also check the current online wine tavern calendar

On this stage, you will find the only cider tavern on the World Heritage Trail Wachau: Mostheuriger Bitter family, Berging No. 6; Tel. 02752/82918, www.wachaubeef.at

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

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026