World Heritage Trail Wachau | Eurohike Walking Holidays

180
Kilometers

from Krems to Melk

14-
stages

through the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site

14
towns

along the loop route by the Danube

White „W“
in a circle

well-marked throughout the route

March to October

best time to travel

Route & Itinerary

The World Heritage Trail Wachau is a 180-kilometer long-distance hiking trail that winds through the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage region in 14 stages. Marked with the distinctive white “W,” the trail can be enjoyed both from Krems to Melk and in the opposite direction.

Following the Danube, the hiking path links 14 Wachau towns on both sides of the river. It leads through vineyards, meadows, forests, and picturesque villages, offering a wonderful mix of history, culture, and natural beauty — a true hiking holiday for wine lovers!

Along the way, you’ll find inviting rest areas, cozy guesthouses, and information points sharing stories about local sights, flora, and fauna. The route is thoughtfully designed to suit hikers of all ages and difficulty levels.

Hiking Bliss on Our Most Scenic Tours

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Hiking Bliss on Our Most Scenic Tours

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Questions and Answers about hiking the World Heritage Trail Wachau

Where does the World Heritage Trail Wachau start?

The World Heritage Trail Wachau starts in Krems an der Donau in Austria, and leads through the famous wine and cultural landscape of the Wachau all the way to Melk.

When is the best time to experience the World Heritage Trail Wachau?

The best time to travel for a hiking tour on the World Heritage Trail Wachau is from March to October.

Who is hiking on the World Heritage Trail Wachau suitable for?

The Wachau World Heritage Trail falls under our category "hiking". The route guides you over good hiking paths and paved vineyard paths through the beautiful Danube region. With a good basic level of fitness and surefootedness, our hiking tour on the Wachau World Heritage Trail will be an enjoyable, active experience.

How long is the World Heritage Trail Wachau and how much elevation gain does it include?

The World Heritage Trail Wachau is 180 kilometers long and is divided into 14 stages, with a total of approximately 6,000 meters of ascent and descent.

How long are the daily stages on the World Heritage Trail Wachau?

On the daily stages of our hiking tours on the World Heritage Trail Wachau, you cover between 4 and 16 kilometers of hiking per day.

Which hotels/accommodation do you stay in while hiking on the World Heritage Trail Wachau?

On our hiking tours on the World Heritage Trail Wachau, you will stay in inviting hotels and accommodations. On our hiking tours with charm, you can expect selected hotels with that certain extra comfort.

How does luggage transfer work with Eurohike?

Your luggage is collected from your accommodation each morning between 8 and 9 a.m. and will be waiting for you at the next hotel in the evening (between 4 and 7 p.m.), allowing you to hike completely relaxed, carrying only light day packs.

A hiker near Weißenkirchen enjoys the view of vineyards and apricot blossom

The Most Beautiful Places Along the World Heritage Trail Wachau

Krems on the Danube

The World Heritage Trail both begins and ends in Krems, a town steeped in history with many well-preserved buildings. The Steiner Gate, the winding streets of the old town, and the Krems Art Mile reveal how trade, culture, and architecture have developed here over the centuries.

Dürnstein

Upon arriving in Dürnstein, the blue tower of the abbey immediately draws your attention. High above the town stand the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. Historic winegrowers’ houses and narrow streets invite leisurely exploration, offering a vivid glimpse into the town’s fascinating past.

Weißenkirchen in the Wachau

Weißenkirchen reflects the region’s deep-rooted connection to winemaking. The fortified church dominates the townscape, while cellar-lined streets recall centuries of wine-growing tradition. A short walk up the hillside rewards visitors with clear views of the Danube and the surrounding vineyards.

Spitz

Nestled on the banks of the Danube, Spitz is surrounded by the renowned vineyards of the Wachau, including the Tausendeimerberg. The Red Gate marks the town’s historic entrance and provides a scenic view over the valley. Along the narrow streets and alleys, small wine cellars invite you to sample the region’s wines.

Aggsbach and Aggstein Castle Ruins

The ruins of Aggstein soar high above the Danube Valley, visible from afar. From this vantage point, you can enjoy sweeping views of the valley and immediately understand why the castle once held such strategic importance. Visitors can explore the history of the site while taking in the breathtaking landscape.

Melk

At the western end of the Wachau lies Melk, best known for its Benedictine Abbey. The monastery is grand and impressive, with gardens, a library, and churches to discover. Below the abbey, the historic old town stretches out, dotted with charming cafés and shops — a perfect place to relax and unwind after your tour.

The Most Scenic Stages on the World Heritage Trail Wachau

Krems – Dürnstein

12 Kilometers | ↗ 530 Meters | ↘ 550 Meters

The first stage begins in Krems an der Danube, one of Austria’s oldest towns. The trail climbs through the vineyards up to a viewpoint, offering stunning vistas of Krems, Göttweig Abbey, and the blue Danube. Crossing a gentle ridge, you’ll arrive at the cozy Fesslhütte. From there, the scenic path continues to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle before descending to the Danube and the charming town of Dürnstein.

Dürnstein – Weißenkirchen

↔ 16 Kilometers | ↗ 480 Meters | ↘ 480 Meters

From Dürnstein, take the ferry across the Danube to Rossatz. The trail then winds through Austria’s largest apricot-growing region along old cart paths up to Seekopf, where an impressive panoramic view stretches all the way to the Alps. Alternatively, you can choose the more relaxed route along the Danube, passing through orchards and quaint wine villages — perfect for food lovers and photographers.

Weißenkirchen – Spitz

↔ 11 Kilometers | ↗ 340 Meters | ↘ 330 Meters

This stage follows the Wine Trail out of Weißenkirchen. Through narrow, cellar-lined streets, you climb into the world-famous terraced vineyards of the Wachau, where dry stone walls, vineyards, and views of the Danube shape the landscape. At the “Red Gate,” Spitz’s iconic landmark, enjoy sweeping valley views before descending into the picturesque wine village of Spitz.

Spitz – Melk

↔ 15 Kilometers | ↗ 640 Meters | ↘ 640 Meters

This stage begins by ferry across the Danube to Maria Langegg, where the Jakobsweg pilgrimage route leads directly to the impressive ruins of Aggsbach Castle. The castle features panoramic lookout towers and a cozy spot to rest. From there, you descend into the valley to Aggsbach, where a bus takes you to Melk.

Why Choose to Hike the World Heritage Trail Wachau?

Danube Views

Panoramas of vineyards, orchards, and the blue waters of the Danube.

Cultural Trail

The ruins of Aggstein Castle, Göttweig Abbey, and Melk Abbey.

Wine & Indulgence

Savor local culinary delights — where hiking and gastronomy go hand in hand.

World-
Heritage

a seamless blend of nature, history, and cultural landscape.

Quality Trail

recognized as one of the "Top Trails of Austria"

Travel Stories on the World Heritage Trail Wachau

April 23, 2024

Team on Tour

Travel story: In the vineyards above the Danube

In the last two years, I have explored beautiful Italy on two walking holidays: plesaure walking in Piedmont and on the east coast of Sardinia. After these walking holidays in Italy, this year's holiday is in my home territory, along the beautiful Wachau World Heritage Trail. With my sister, I drive along the “Romantic Road” on the northern bank of the Danube to Krems, the starting point of our walking holiday "World Heritage Trail Wachau, Krems - Spitz". Now, there will be three walking days along the Danube and right through the vineyards to Spitz. Alternatively, this tour is also offered as a longer variant over eight days, up to Melk. We are really looking forward to the next few days and raise a toast at our first dinner in Krems’ old town with homemade Austrian apricot iced tea. (Fun fact: in Austria, we call apricots “Marillen”, but in Germany, they are known as “Aprikose”!)

Hiking trail with vineyards on the world heritage trail Wachau

September 13, 2022

On the trail of wine

The most beautiful wine-growing regions in Europe can be explored in a variety of ways – the most beautiful and probably most intensive way is individual hiking. Step by step you experience dreamy natural scenery, romantic terraced vineyards, cosy wine taverns, picturesque ‚cellar lanes‘ and wonderful hiking paths by foot. After a dream day of hiking in nature, you can look forward to a wonderful dinner with accompanying wines – food and wine from the immediate region, of course. On our Eurohike HikingBlog, we will now reveal where active connoisseurs can hike through the wine regions most worth discovering, experience the full comfort of a hiking holiday with luggage transfer and at the same time taste world-renowned wines.

Blooming apricot trees in full white blossom in the Wachau valley orchard with green grass and blue sky in spring.

Donau Niederoesterreich Othmar Bramberger

March 8, 2021

The beginning of spring in the Wachau

Is there anything nicer than feeling those first rays of warming sun after winter? When the winegrowers open their taverns, the apricot trees with their white splendor are in full bloom and the wine cellars are organized to taste the young wines: then the time is here again. Spring has arrived in the Wachau and envelopes the areas of the Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, Wagram and Carnutum in a splendid colourful dress from mid-March to the end of May. With a bit of luck you will catch the famous Wachau apricot blossom, which falls on a different time each year (depending on how severe the winter was). Nevertheless, you can hope that you’re there to watch the enchanting spectacle between mid-March and mid-April.

November 13, 2019

When hiking and indulgence meet

When you feel bliss during a hike, you’re doing it right. That could entail following well-kept paths through picturesque landscapes and ending the tour in a rustic alpine hut. Good food, wine and the charm of the rolling hills make every connoisseur’s heart beat faster.

September 25, 2018

Team on Tour

Helene en route along the World Heritage Trail Wachau

Vineyards, apricot orchards and cultural assets of all kinds characterise the World Heritage Region Wachau. Considering all of this it was an easy choice for a suitable hiking holiday. Our holiday along the World Heritage Trail Wachau started in the town of Krems and led us all the way to Spitz on the river Danube. As a crowning finale this hiking holiday contains a boat trip from Spitz back to Krems, taking you past the places of the Wachau, which you got to know and love during your hiking holiday.

October 18, 2017

Autumnal Hiking in the Wachau

It wasn’t merely the golden October colours, the pleasant walking temperatures or the newly harvested wine that lured me to come walking in the Autumnal Wachau. It was mainly the newly signposted route along the World Heritage Trail here! Some of the best signposted footpaths on both sides of the Danube were simply waiting to be explored. Every variant of the walk, every panoramic viewpoint, every summit and every view view tower was needing to be discovered, checked and hiked to. That meant that I wasn’t leisurely walking one stage at a time but was trekking from dawn til dusk and upstream as well as downstream. The sheer diversity in this region meant that I never got tired. Sometimes I was going along panoramic paths through vineyards via cosy forest tracks and other times up steep ascents where at the top great views were awaiting me… I could even climb some small peaks here.

World Heritage Trail Wachau: Your Benefits with Eurohike

Perfectly organized hiking tours

In Eurohike hiking vacations, you enjoy that extra level of service and comfort. From start to finish, our Eurohike travel specialists plan and organize your active vacation, giving you even more time to enjoy your active getaway. During your hiking tour, you can focus worry-free on what truly matters: the joy of hiking with your loved ones.

Comprehensive guidance from our travel specialists

Our experienced travel specialists are available to assist you at any time, both during the selection of your tour and throughout the booking process. Your wishes and concerns are our top priority, ensuring that your journey becomes the most beautiful time of the year.

Well-prepared travel information and route descriptions

All guests receive a comprehensive information package with detailed walking maps and travel documents including tips and information on culture, cuisine, country and people - tailored to the respective region and requirements of the individual walking tour. Every year, we review the route meticulously, and continually develop new variations that provide even more insights into the land and culture.

Accommodations with feel-good factor

After a wonderful day of cycling, you will be welcomed in our carefully selected accommodations in the evening. We choose our accommodations with care and consideration, always with a focus on their special orientation towards active vacationers and opportunities for evening relaxation. You'll experience that extra level of comfort on our charming hiking tours, where you can enjoy even more feel-good facilities and an added touch of indulgence.

Hiking without luggage

With us, you'll enjoy the most comfortable form of active vacation. Eurohike transports your luggage to the next accommodation every day. Leave the hotel in the morning with ease, and by evening, your bags will already be waiting at the next lodging. Experience a completely carefree hiking adventure across Europe with our luggage transfer!

Personal on-site support

Our Eurohike original tours are characterized above all by the personal touch for which we have been known for many years. For our original tours, you will be personally welcomed by our team members at the arrival destination. In an informational meeting, all details about the tour and the itinerary will be explained. Our on-site team is also available for tips and recommendations.

Exploring the most beautiful routes with our on Tour-App

We invest a lot of time and effort in crafting our routes and meticulously review them regularly. Thanks to the Eurobike & Eurohike on Tour app, navigating the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe becomes child's play, ensuring you don't miss any of the highlights along the way.

Travelife-Certification

We are certified as a sustainable tour operator! Our green actions have been officially confirmed by Travelife - an international certification programme for sustainability management in the travel industry. We had to fulfil over 260 criteria in various areas: from environmental protection and energy-saving measures to emissions management and consumer protection.