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Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems

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  • Oberhalb von Krems im Herbst
    Oberhalb von Krems im Herbst
    Photo: Robert Herbst

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    Roman ruins, the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque, Gothic monasteries and churches, top culinary delights, and picturesque old towns await us on the route from Mautern to Krems. We walk through impressive city gates and over scenic squares to the Gozzoburg and the Hoher Markt, the historic heart of Krems.

    easy
    Distance 3.9 km
    1:02 h
    26 m
    15 m
    218 m
    194 m

    Wachau World Heritage Trail: Mautern to Krems

    The stage from Mautern to Krems is a short walk with a strong cultural-historical focus, linking two traditional Danube towns. The route leads through the medieval town of Stein and into the picturesque old town of Krems. Over around four kilometres, art, churches and historic architecture accompany this section of the Welterbesteig Wachau.

    Passing impressive city gates and historic squares, the trail reaches the Gothic Gozzoburg on Hoher Markt in Krems—considered the most important Gothic town castle north of the Alps. Along the Kunstmeile Krems, a wealth of cultural attractions awaits, including Kunsthalle Krems, the caricature museum and the Lower Austrian State Gallery.

    Walking the Wachau World Heritage Trail reveals, step by step, why the Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage region. Finely curated World Heritage Spots make the defining World Heritage Highlights visible—the interplay of cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural habitats and the Danube as a shaping force.

    Thanks to excellent rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is straightforward. Within the region, a dense public transport network makes all stages easy to reach by bus, train, ferry and boat, allowing stages to be combined with great flexibility.

    The Wachau World Heritage Trail also holds the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification represents high standards in route design, waymarking, safety and infrastructure, confirming the trail as a reliable, high-quality walking experience at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Author’s recommendation

    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.

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    Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
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    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    218 m
    Lowest point
    194 m
    Best time of year
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    Safety information

    Emergency mountain rescue Wachau: 140

    Tips and suggestions

    For dining and overnight stays, we recommend Best of Wachau establishments: www.bestof-Wachau.at. Best of Wachau establishments are located in Mautern and Krems.

    The opening hours of the numerous Heurigen can be found in the online Heurigen calendar on www.welterbesteig.at 

    The stamp station is located at the winery and Heurigen Fam. Stagård, Hintere Fahrstraße 3 in Stein.

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

    Roadbook

    At the town hall in Mautern, we pass under the white archway and walk along the wall of the Roman fort Favianis towards the Danube. On the right, past the Roman hall, we pass Mautern Castle, turn left at the roundabout and cross the impressive Danube bridge. On the northern bank of the river, our path leads right through the Linzer Gate into the medieval town of Stein.  We follow Steiner Landstraße, keep left at the first intersection, and then shortly afterward turn left into Hintere Fahrstraße (stamp station at the winery and Heurigen Fam. Stagård, Hintere Fahrstraße 3). Here we can take a nice break at one of the Heurigen. The street leads up to Frauenberg, where we turn right towards Frauenberg Church. From here our view stretches over the picturesque Stein to Mautern and Göttweig Abbey.

    We pass through the church and descend again via the Frauenberg stairs to Steiner Landstraße. Our path continues left past the Minorite monastery, where the art mile begins. We leave Stein through the Kremser Gate and enter the world of the arts. The Kunsthalle, the caricature museum, and the Lower Austrian literature house lie on our path until we reach Stein prison. We follow Schillerstraße past the monastery to Kremser City Park. Here we keep left and walk through the Steiner Gate into the old town. At the other end of the pedestrian zone, we reach the daily market, turn left, and walk up to the parish church at Parish Square. Turning right uphill through Margarethenstraße, we soon reach our stage destination at Hoher Markt. 

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    Krems/Donau Bahnhof
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    Public transport

    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

    Directions

    A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 to Mautern or Krems

    Parking

    At the Roman hall in Mautern or in the parking garages of the Kremser 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 website of the city of Krems http://www.krems.gv.at/

    Coordinates

    DD
    48.393785, 15.577787
    DMS
    48°23'37.6"N 15°34'40.0"E
    UTM
    33U 542771 5360230
    w3w 
    ///operatives.riverfront.weakened
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    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.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Long-distance trail Kremstal-Donau 02: Mautern - Furth near Göttweig
    • Welterbesteig Wachau Etappe 13, Zustieg vom Bhf. Furth-Palt
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail
    • Long-distance trail Kremstal-Donau
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    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    3.9 km
    Duration
    1:02 h
    Ascent
    26 m
    Descent
    15 m
    Highest point
    218 m
    Lowest point
    194 m
    Linear route

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