Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems
Hiking tour Starting from Mautern, Town Hall Square
Roman ruins, the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Gothic monasteries and churches, world-class cuisine, and picturesque old towns await hikers on the trail from Mautern to Krems. Passing through imposing city gates and across picturesque squares, the hike leads to Gozzoburg Castle and the Hoher Markt, the historic heart of Krems.
Roman ruins, the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Gothic monasteries and churches, world-class cuisine, and picturesque old towns await hikers on the trail from Mautern to Krems. Passing through imposing city gates and across picturesque squares, the hike leads to Gozzoburg Castle and the Hoher Markt, the historic heart of Krems.
Welterbesteig Wachau: From Mautern to Krems
The stage from Mautern to Krems is a short hike shaped by cultural history and connects two traditional towns on the Danube. The trail leads through the medieval town of Stein and into the picturesque old town of Krems. Over approximately four kilometres, art, churches and historic buildings accompany this section of the Welterbesteig Wachau.
Through impressive town gates and across historic squares, the route leads to the Gothic Gozzoburg at Hoher Markt in Krems, the most important Gothic town castle north of the Alps. Along the Kunstmeile Krems, a wide range of cultural attractions can also be discovered, including Kunsthalle Krems, the Karikaturmuseum Krems and the Lower Austrian State Gallery.
While hiking on the Welterbesteig Wachau, it becomes clear step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along carefully curated World Heritage Spots, the defining World Heritage Highlights become visible – the interplay of the historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural areas and the Danube as a formative element.
Thanks to good rail connections, relaxed and sustainable travel to the Wachau is easy. Within the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.
The Welterbesteig Wachau has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification stands for high quality standards in route layout, signage, safety and infrastructure and confirms the Welterbesteig as a reliable and high-quality hiking experience in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140
Sturdy hiking shoes, rain protection, sufficient drinks and provisions as well as the Wachau hiking map and a Heurigen calendar. You can find a list of equipment at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
At the town hall in Mautern, pass under the white archway and walk along the wall of the Roman fort Favianis toward the Danube. Passing the Römerhalle on the right, the path leads past Mautern Castle, turns left at the roundabout, and crosses the imposing Danube Bridge. On the north bank of the river, the trail turns right through the Linzer Tor into the medieval town of Stein. Follow Steiner Landstraße; turn left at the first intersection and then immediately left again onto Hintere Fahrstraße (stamp station: Weingut und wine tavern Fam. Stagård, Hintere Fahrstraße 3). Here you can take a nice break at one of the wine taverns. The road leads up to the Frauenberg, where you turn right toward the Frauenberg Church. From here, the view sweeps across picturesque Stein all the way to Mautern and Göttweig Abbey.
Cross through the church and head back down the Frauenbergstiege to Steiner Landstraße. Continuing to the left, the route passes the Minoritenkloster, where the Art Mile begins. Pass through the Kremser Tor to leave Stein behind and enter the world of the arts. The Kunsthalle, the Cartoon Museum, and the Lower Austrian Literature House are all along the way until you reach the Stein Correctional Facility. Follow Schillerstraße past the monastery and on to the Krems City Park. Here, turn left and go through the Steiner Tor into the Old Town. At the other end of the pedestrian zone, you’ll reach the daily market; there, turn left and head up to the parish church on Pfarrplatz. Turn right and walk uphill along Margarethenstraße; shortly thereafter, you’ll reach today’s destination at the Hoher Markt.
At the Römerhalle in Mautern or in the parking garages in downtown Krems. Please note the paid short-term parking system with designated zones in the downtown areas of Krems and Stein. For more information, visit the City of Krems website at http://www.krems.gv.at/
A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 to Mautern or Krems
The places are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.
Mautern and Krems are connected by bus line 720 Krems-Rossatz-Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems. On the northern bank of the Wachau, buses of line 715 Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems run. Information at www.vor.at
Bike rental stations by Nextbike are located in Mautern and Krems, www.nextbike.at
The old towns of Krems and Stein are unique ensembles of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The Wachau World Heritage Trail gives you a line through the old towns, but feel free to wander through the alleys and winding quarters – every corner, every staircase is worth a detour.
Leider können wir Ihnen zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt keine Wetterdaten für den Ort anzeigen.
For places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays, we recommend "Best of Wachau" establishments: www.bestof-Wachau.at. "Best of Wachau" establishments are located in Mautern and Krems.
For the opening hours of the numerous wine taverns, please refer to the online wine tavern calendar at www.welterbesteig.at
The stamp station is located at the Stagård family winery and wine tavern, Hintere Fahrstraße 3 in Stein.
Letzte Änderung: 18 Aug 2026
