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Wachau World Heritage Trail

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  • In Dürnstein von der Kanzel
    In Dürnstein von der Kanzel
    Photo: Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst
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    Hiking in a unique natural setting

    moderate
    Distance 176.8 km
    53:50 h
    5,932 m
    5,928 m
    960 m
    194 m

    Relaxed and enjoyable long-distance hiking in the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site: Along its 180 kilometres between Melk and Krems, the Wachau World Heritage Trail combines a unique cultural and natural landscape with rich history and regional cuisine. Culture and landscape influence each other, rare natural areas such as dry grassland and dry stone walls as well as the originally preserved villages and settlements are tangible signs of a long history of settlement.  

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

    The Wachau not only offers impressive natural scenery, but also culinary specialities. After a hike through the vineyards, the typical Wachau wines can be savoured at a rustic wine tavern, in a traditional inn or in one of the excellent restaurants. 

    For a carefree all-round package, including luggage transport, tastings and transfer services, we recommend booking one of the versatile hiking packages. 

    Thanks to good train connections, travelling to the Wachau is easy and sustainable. 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. 

    Author’s recommendation

    Plan enough time to visit the region's worthwhile excursion destinations, e.g. the Krems Art Mile with the Lower Austrian State Gallery, Melk Abbey and Göttweig Abbey

    Profile picture of Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Author
    Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Update: November 20, 2024
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    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 31.23%Dirt road 17.64%Forested/wild trail 29.97%Path 16.19%Road 4.84%Unknown 0.11%
    Asphalt
    55.2 km
    Dirt road
    31.2 km
    Forested/wild trail
    53 km
    Path
    28.6 km
    Road
    8.6 km
    Unknown
    0.2 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    Please observe the following tips and advice to ensure that your hiking holiday is a wonderful experience:  

    • Stay on the marked paths and wear hiking boots. 
    • Please do not leave your rubbish along the way. 
    • Carry enough food, water and snacks with you. 
    • Take a hiking map with you or use the free hiking app. 
    • Respect the sensitive habitats of flora and fauna. 

    Tips and suggestions

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

    Rest stop
    Tip
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    Public transport

    Thanks to good rail connections, travelling to the Wachau is easy and sustainable. A dense network of public transport in the region ensures that all stages can be easily reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. 

    From Vienna (Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof) to Krems: journey time: approx. 1 hour (continue with the regional VOR bus lines 720 or 715) 

    From St. Pölten (Westbahn) to Krems: journey time: approx. 30-45 minutes 

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

    Timetable enquiry ÖBB https://www.oebb.at/en/fahrplan

    Timetable enquiry Austrian Eastern Region VOR https://www.vor.at/en/timetables-mobility/timetable-bus-train 

    Westbahn timetable 

    Directions

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

    From the A1 Westautobahn motorway from St. Pölten via the S33 to Krems, if desired continue on the B3 on 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 Westaubahn to Melk exit and on the B33 along the south bank to Mautern, A1 Westautobahn to Melk, cross the Danube bridge to the north bank and continue on the B3 through the Wachau to your chosen starting point in Krems. 

    Parking

    In the car parks in Krems city centre. Please note the paid short-term parking system with zones in the city centres of Krems and Stein. You can find more information on the Krems city centre website www.krems.gv.at

    In Melk on the Donaulände at the boat stations, in all other places in public car parks. 

    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

    Als Ausrüstung empfehlen wir:

    Wanderschuhe

    Rucksack

    wetterfeste Kleidung (z.B. Regenschutz)

    Kopfbedeckung

    Sonnenschutz

    ausreichend Verpflegung (Wasser, Jause)

    Wanderkarte Wachau und /oder mobiler Tourenplaner

    Similar routes nearby

    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein
    • Kremstal-Danube Long Distance Trail total
    • Kremstal-Danube Long Distance Trail 01: Krems - Mautern
    • Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern - Krems
    • Kremstal-Danube Long Distance Trail 02: Mautern - Furth bei Göttweig
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    176.8 km
    Duration
    53:50 h
    Ascent
    5,932 m
    Descent
    5,928 m
    Highest point
    960 m
    Lowest point
    194 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Trekking Trails
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 1
    Distance 12.5 km
    Duration 4:30 h
    Ascent 365 m
    Descent 370 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 moderate Stage 2
    Distance 16.7 km
    Duration 6:00 h
    Ascent 509 m
    Descent 512 m

    On your walking tour from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen almost 17 kilometers long you probably find the most popular ruin in Austria. Also including a ...

    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 3:20 h
    Ascent 364 m
    Descent 350 m

    From Weißenkirchen to Spitz your way leads through the impressive heart oft he Wachau stone terraces and vineyards. The wine growers villages of ...

    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
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5
    Distance 13.1 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 849 m
    Descent 611 m

    From Mühdorf to Maria Laach you are walking through a beautiful landscape in nature park Jauerling the highest mountain in the Danube area.

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 06: Maria Laach - Aggsbach Markt
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 6
    Distance 7.2 km
    Duration 2:00 h
    Ascent 80 m
    Descent 462 m

    Around 7 kilometers distance between Maria Laach (Jauerling plateau) with its meadows and via estate „Schleinkhof“ down to Aggsbach Markt at the ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 07: Aggsbach Markt - Emmersdorf
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7
    Distance 14.9 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 547 m
    Descent 544 m

    The Jauerling plateau its villages, belltowers, panoramic views and the secluded small castle like church to Gossam are parts of this diverting ...

    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 surrounding villages of Emmersdorf, unique panorama, the imperial castle Luberegg, and the Danube waterfronts are part of this 10 kilometer ...

    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

    On the 17 kilometer long tour from Melk to Aggsbach Dorf you are passing the „Hohenwarther Höhe“ a plateau and at the end in Aggsbach Markt you ...

    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 17.6 km
    Duration 5:45 h
    Ascent 777 m
    Descent 779 m

    The „Kuenringerfeste“ (fort of the knights lineage Kuenring) todays castle ruin Aggstein, the magnificent Baroque pilgrimage monastery Maria ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 11: Hofarnsdorf - Rossatz
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 11
    Distance 17.7 km
    Duration 5:40 h
    Ascent 690 m
    Descent 684 m

    Wine villages and vineyards of the Wachau, Roman pathes and ruins, a nature preserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests and great views from ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
    Trekking Trails · Donau-Niederösterreich
    Wachau World Heritage Trail 12: Rossatz - Oberbergern
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 12
    Distance 13.8 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 326 m
    Descent 254 m

    The natural Danube and its wetlands, fruit and apricot gardens, the most beautiful view to Dürnstein, the vineyards of Rossatz, secluded ...

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

    On the 17 kilometer long Tour from Oberbergern to Mautern you will experience the wonderful wine country, litte wine villages and the sacred ...

    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 4 km
    Duration 1:00 h
    Ascent 16 m
    Descent 9 m

    Roman ruins, the glory of Renaissance and Baroque, gothic monasteries and churches, culinary fine dining, and picturesque old towns are part of ...

    from Wachau Nibelungengau-Kremstal,   Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
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