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Wachau World Heritage Trail

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  • In Dürnstein from the pulpit
    In Dürnstein from the pulpit
    Photo: Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst

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    What connects the banks

    difficult
    Distance 205.3 km
    62:40 h
    7,156 m
    6,455 m
    960 m
    194 m

    Relaxed and enjoyable long-distance hiking in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau: The Wachau World Heritage Trail connects a unique cultural and natural landscape with rich history and regional culinary delights over its 180 kilometers between Melk and Krems. Culture and landscape influence each other; rare natural habitats like dry grasslands and dry stone walls as well as the originally preserved towns and settlements are tangible signs of a long settlement history.

    Nowhere else can the Danube be hiked more beautifully than on the 14 stages of the Wachau World Heritage Trail.

    But the Wachau offers not only an impressive natural backdrop but also culinary specialties. After a hike through the vineyards, the typical Wachau wines can be tasted at a rustic wine tavern, a traditional inn, or in one of the excellent restaurants.

    For a carefree all-around offer, including luggage transport, tastings, and transfers, it is advisable to book one of the versatile hiking packages.

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

    Author’s recommendation

    Plan sufficient time to visit the worthwhile excursion destinations in the region, e.g. the Kunstmeile Krems with the Lower Austria State Gallery, Melk Abbey and Göttweig Abbey.

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    Author
    Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Logo Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Responsible for this content
    Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    T1 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

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

    Track types

    Asphalt 32.61%Dirt road 15.09%Forested/wild trail 29.32%Path 15.73%Road 7.12%Unknown 0.10%
    Asphalt
    67 km
    Dirt road
    31 km
    Forested/wild trail
    60.2 km
    Path
    32.3 km
    Road
    14.6 km
    Unknown
    211 m
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    Please observe the following tips and notes to make your hiking holiday a pleasant experience:

    Stay on the marked paths and wear mountain/hiking boots.

    Please do not leave your rubbish on the path.

    Carry enough provisions (water/snack) with you.

    Take the hiking map with you or use the free hiking app.

    Respect the sensitive habitats of plant and animal life.

    Tips and suggestions

    All information about the stages can be found at www.welterbesteig.at The Wachau hiking map can be requested free of charge from Donau NÖ Tourismus GmbH by phone at 02713-30060-60 or downloaded from the brochure shop at www.donau.com/prospekte.

    Public transport

    Thanks to good train connections, relaxed and sustainable arrival in the Wachau is easy. In the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry, and ship.

    From Vienna (Franz Josef Station) to Krems: travel time approx. 1 hour (continue with the regional VOR bus lines 720 or 715)
    From St. Pölten (Westbahn) to Krems: travel time approx. 30-45 minutes

    From Linz: Westbahn to St. Pölten, continue by regional train to Krems or Westbahn to Melk (continue with the regional VOR bus lines 720 or 715).

    ÖBB timetable query

    VOR East Region public transport timetable query

    Westbahn timetable

    Directions

    From Vienna via the A22 and S5 to Krems, then on the B3 along the north bank through the Wachau to the towns along the Danube.

    From the A1 West motorway from St. Pölten via the S33 to Krems, optionally continue on the B3 along the north bank of the Wachau or over the Mautern Danube bridge to the south side on the B33 to Melk to the towns along the Danube.

    A1 West motorway to Melk exit and along the B33 along the south bank to Mautern, A1 West motorway to Melk, switch to the north bank at the Danube bridge and on the B3 through the Wachau to the chosen starting point at Krems.

    Parking

    In the parking garages of Krems city center. Please note the paid short-term parking system with zones in the city centers of Krems and Stein. More information can be found on the homepage of the city of Krems www.krems.gv.at

    In Melk at the Danube shore near the ship stations, in all other places on public parking areas.

    Coordinates

    DD
    48.412026, 15.601768
    DMS
    48°24'43.3"N 15°36'06.4"E
    UTM
    33U 544530 5362271
    w3w 
    ///cements.palest.demographics
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    We recommend the following equipment:

    Hiking boots

    Backpack

    Weatherproof clothing (e.g. rain gear)

    Headwear

    Sun protection

    Adequate provisions (water, snack)

    Wachau hiking map and/or mobile tour planner

    Localization

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

    Similar routes nearby

    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein
    • Long-distance trail Kremstal-Donau
    • Kremstal-Danube long-distance hiking trail 01: Krems - Mautern
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems
    • Long-distance trail Kremstal-Donau 02: Mautern - Furth near Göttweig
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    T1 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    205.3 km
    Duration
    62:40 h
    Ascent
    7,156 m
    Descent
    6,455 m
    Highest point
    960 m
    Lowest point
    194 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest

    Statistics

    • Content
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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1
    Distance 12.4 km
    Duration 4:30 h
    Ascent 354 m
    Descent 344 m

    From Krems to Dürnstein you are walking through the historic quarters of Krems and Stein, ensembles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings ...

    Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen
    recommended route Difficulty T2 moderate Stage 2
    Distance 16.4 km
    Duration 6:00 h
    Ascent 491 m
    Descent 494 m

    On the nearly 17 km long hike from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen, the probably most famous castle ruin of Austria, dreamlike views and famous stone ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 03: Weißenkirchen-Spitz
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
    Distance 10.5 km
    Duration 3:15 h
    Ascent 353 m
    Descent 338 m

    Note: Complete closure of World Heritage Trail Stage 3 between St. Michael and Spitz Due to extensive forest maintenance and path renovation work ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 04: Spitz - Mühldorf
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 4
    Distance 11 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 463 m
    Descent 334 m

    Through the imposing side valley of the Wachau called Spitzer Graben the panoramic way leads from Spitz to Mühldorf. Starting at the Wachau area ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 05: Mühldorf-Maria Laach (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 5
    Distance 13.3 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 850 m
    Descent 612 m

    From Mühldorf to Maria Laach, we hike through a beautiful landscape in the Jauerling Nature Park, the highest mountain on the Danube.

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 06: Maria Laach-Aggsbach Markt (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 6
    Distance 7.2 km
    Duration 1:55 h
    Ascent 80 m
    Descent 462 m

    Our hike, about 7 km long, leads over the Jauerling plateau with its meadow landscape over the Schleinkhof estate down to the Danube at Aggsbach ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 07: Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf (Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park)
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7
    Distance 14.7 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 547 m
    Descent 544 m

    The Jauerling high plateau and its villages, bell towers, magnificent panoramic views, and the lonely little castle church in Gossam await us on ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 08: Emmersdorf-Melk
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 8
    Distance 10.1 km
    Duration 3:00 h
    Ascent 177 m
    Descent 171 m

    The villages of Emmersdorf, unique panoramic views, the imperial Schloss Luberegg, the Danube and waterfront promenades await us on the ten ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 09: Melk-Aggsbach Dorf
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 9
    Distance 15.7 km
    Duration 6:00 h
    Ascent 509 m
    Descent 513 m

    We hike 16 km from Melk over the Hohenwarther Höhe past the Hammerschmiede to Aggsbach Dorf. Great views of the Danube, the impressive grand ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 10: Aggsbach Dorf-Hofarnsdorf
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 10
    Distance 17 km
    Duration 5:35 h
    Ascent 777 m
    Descent 779 m

    The Kuenringer fortress and today’s Aggstein ruins, the magnificent baroque Maria Langegg pilgrimage monastery, the little-known Dunkelsteinerwald ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf-Rossatz
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 11
    Distance 16.8 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 697 m
    Descent 681 m

    Wine villages and Wachau wine landscapes, Roman paths and ruins, a nature reserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests, and wonderful panoramic ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 12: Rossatz-Unterbergern
    recommended route Difficulty T1 moderate Stage 12
    Distance 13.9 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 335 m
    Descent 263 m

    The most beautiful view of Dürnstein and the scenic Bergerner Höhe await us on this route. From Rossatz, we hike through the nature reserve on the ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 13: Unterbergern-Mautern
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 13
    Distance 13 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 323 m
    Descent 424 m

    Over 13 km, we experience wonderful wine landscapes, small vintner villages, and the sacred Göttweigerberg on our route from Unterbergern to Mautern.

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 14
    Distance 3.9 km
    Duration 1:00 h
    Ascent 26 m
    Descent 30 m

    Roman ruins, the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque, Gothic monasteries and churches, top culinary delights, and picturesque old towns await ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    14 Stages
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