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Female hiker with green backpack sitting on stone wall overlooking Spitz in Wachau with vineyards, Danube River, and mountains.

World Heritage Trail Wachau

Wine and culture on beautiful blue Danube

Female hiker with green backpack sitting on stone wall overlooking Spitz in Wachau with vineyards, Danube River, and mountains.

The essentials at a glance

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley on this 5-day self-guided walking tour through Austria's renowned wine region. Hike through terraced vineyards and along the Danube River, visiting historic sites including Dürnstein Castle Ruins and the Göttweig Monastery. Daily stages cover 11-16 km on good trails and paved vineyard paths with moderate climbs. Experience wine tastings, apricot orchards, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Danube. Includes boat trips between Spitz and Krems, luggage transfers, and accommodation in 3-4 star hotels.

Do you have questions about this tour?

Here in the Wachau area the Danube is even more beautiful than anywhere else. The mild climate and steep hills make it ideal territory for orchards and vineyards. Our hiking week leads thought the long-distance trail "World Heritage Trail Wachau" along the ridges of the Danube valley. On the varied walking routes you can enjoy magnificent views of one of Austria's oldest cultural landscapes with characteristic vineyards, apricot gardens and the impressive Danube stream in the valley. A varied walking tour leads past steep rocks, across soft hills and through prosperous vineyards. Little hamlets dot the landscape and apart from the famous wine, delicious apricot delicacies belong to the outstanding regional specialities.

  • All information and further tour tips for your hiking holidays on the Danube here.

Your five-day short hiking holiday on the World Heritage Trail Wachau begins in the city of Krems in Lower Austria. The first stage leads you straight through the picturesque vineyards with impressive views of the beautiful Danube. After a relaxing overnight stay in Dürnstein, the trail continues past Austria's largest apricot growing area to Weißenkirchen. The following and last hiking stage also has impressive views in store for you: On the route to Spitz, a fabulous panoramic view awaits you on the Buschandlwand, which will remain in your memory for a long time. For the crowning finale, you will take the ferry from Spitz back to Krems, where you may conclude your short hiking holiday.

  • Picturesque vineyards: The beautiful route leads you over vineyard paths and offers dreamy views of the picturesque vineyards and over the apricot orchards of the Wachau.
  • Tastes of the Wachau: The Wachau offers not only delicious wine of the region, but is also home to the wonderful Wachau apricots, which can be enjoyed in many ways: as sweet jam, fruit nectar, vinegar, liqueur, schnapps, frizzante or simply pure as fruit.
  • Boat tour on the Donau: A special highlight at the end of your five-day hiking tour is the boat ride from Spitz to Krems. From the ferry you can relax and review the impressions of your hiking tours and enjoy the surrounding landscapes.

Our hiking tour on the World Heritage Trail Wachau is assigned to our hiking level of hiking ‘walking’ and the daily stages are planned to take about four to five hours. The flexible route allows you to make your stage more leisurely or a little more challenging, as you wish. With a good basic level of fitness, this short hiking holiday is guaranteed to be an unforgettable time in the Wachau region. You can experience even more enjoyment and comfort on our hiking tour World Heritage Trail Wachau with Charm.

  • Our tip: Due to the good route and trail conditions, this hiking tour is also wonderfully suitable for hiking holidays with a dog.
Book now
To the online version
Female hiker with green backpack sitting on stone wall overlooking Spitz in Wachau with vineyards, Danube River, and mountains.

World Heritage Trail Wachau

Wine and Culture along the Blue Danube

Female hiker with green backpack sitting on stone wall overlooking Spitz in Wachau with vineyards, Danube River, and mountains.

The essentials at a glance

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley on this 5-day self-guided walking tour through Austria's renowned wine region. Hike through terraced vineyards and along the Danube River, visiting historic sites including Dürnstein Castle Ruins and the Göttweig Monastery. Daily stages cover 11-16 km on good trails and paved vineyard paths with moderate climbs. Experience wine tastings, apricot orchards, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Danube. Includes boat trips between Spitz and Krems, luggage transfers, and accommodation in 3-4 star hotels.

Do you have questions about this tour?

In the Wachau region, the Danube is even more beautiful than elsewhere. The mild climate and steep slopes are ideal for wine and fruit growing. Our walking week follows in the footsteps of the ‘Welterbesteig Wachau’ long-distance trail along the ridges of the Danube Valley. On these varied walking routes, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of one of Austria’s oldest cultural landscapes, with its characteristic vineyard terraces, apricot orchards and the mighty Danube flowing through the valley. Passing rugged cliffs, numerous viewing points and over gentle hills, you’ll hike through lush vineyards. The small villages in the Wachau are particularly beautiful and inviting, in addition to wine, they offer the famous apricot pancakes as a pure delight.

  • All information and further tour tips for your hiking holidays on the Danube here.

 

Your five-day short hiking holiday on the World Heritage Trail Wachau begins in the city of Krems in Lower Austria. The first stage leads you straight through the picturesque vineyards with impressive views of the beautiful Danube. After a relaxing overnight stay in Dürnstein, the trail continues past Austria's largest apricot growing area to Weißenkirchen. The following and last hiking stage also has impressive views in store for you: On the route to Spitz, a fabulous panoramic view awaits you on the Buschandlwand, which will remain in your memory for a long time. For the crowning finale, you will take the ferry from Spitz back to Krems, where you may conclude your short hiking holiday.

  • Picturesque vineyards: The beautiful route leads you over vineyard paths and offers dreamy views of the picturesque vineyards and over the apricot orchards of the Wachau.
  • Tastes of the Wachau: The Wachau offers not only delicious wine of the region, but is also home to the wonderful Wachau apricots, which can be enjoyed in many ways: as sweet jam, fruit nectar, vinegar, liqueur, schnapps, frizzante or simply pure as fruit.
  • Boat tour on the Donau: A special highlight at the end of your five-day hiking tour is the boat ride from Spitz to Krems. From the ferry you can relax and review the impressions of your hiking tours and enjoy the surrounding landscapes.

Our hiking tour on the World Heritage Trail Wachau is assigned to our hiking level of hiking ‘walking’ and the daily stages are planned to take about four to five hours. The flexible route allows you to make your stage more leisurely or a little more challenging, as you wish. With a good basic level of fitness, this short hiking holiday is guaranteed to be an unforgettable time in the Wachau region. You can experience even more enjoyment and comfort on our hiking tour World Heritage Trail Wachau with Charm.

  • Our tip: Due to the good route and trail conditions, this hiking tour is also wonderfully suitable for hiking holidays with a dog.

Itinerary at a glance

Whether from the Danube boat or the Dürnstein Castle Ruins, this tour offers a variety of views. The Wachau is characterized by fruit growing – so enjoy the culinary delights from apricot jam to Pinot Blanc.

Hotel example: Unter den Linden

Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with a view over the ‘blue’ river Danube, the city Krems and the magnificent monastery Göttweig. Cross the hills to the cozy Fesslhütte and reach the Dürnstein ruins on a trail with great views before reaching the banks of the Danube.

Hotel example: Sänger Blondel

 

 

Take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz. Continue past the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optional take a walk along Danube through orchards to the ferry.

Hotel example: Hotel Kirchenwirt

The wine trail leads you out of Weißenkirchen, past small cellar alleys and up into the unique wine landscape high above the Danube. On the World Heritage Trail, you hike through the heart of the Wachau. At the landmark of Spitz, the “Red Gate”, you descend into the famous wine village beside the Danube.

Hotel example: Goldenens Schiff

Return journey from Spitz to Krems by boat, departure in the early morning or in the late afternoon, included in the price.

Itinerary at a glance

Whether from the Danube boat or the Dürnstein Castle Ruins, this tour offers a variety of views. The Wachau is characterized by fruit growing – so enjoy the culinary delights from apricot jam to Pinot Blanc.

Spitz welcomes you with its unmistakable Wachau charm, nestled between the Danube, terraced vineyards and wooded hills. Once you’ve arrived, you'll have time to explore the historic center. Look forward to delightful walks through this unique cultural landscape.

Hotel example: Gasthof Goldenes Schiff Spitz

 

Starting in Spitz, you'll first ascend to the town’s landmark, the ‘Rotes Tor’ (Red Gate). Following the World Heritage Trail, you’ll walk through the heart of the Wachau and enjoy the unique wine-growing landscape high above the Danube. The route then leads downhill through the vineyards and past small alleys lined with wine cellars to Weißenkirchen.

Hotel example: Kirchenwirt Wachau

 

From Weißenkirchen, you’ll first take the flying bridge to St. Lorenz, where your hike begins. There, you can choose either a short route through the orchards along the Danube or the scenic route via old roads up to the ‘Seekopf’. Along the main route, you’ll be treated to an impressive panoramic view stretching all the way to the Alps. The trail then leads through Austria’s largest apricot-growing region to Rossatz on the banks of the Danube, from where you’ll take a ferry to today’s destination, Dürnstein.

Hotel example: Sänger Blondel

 

From the banks of the Danube, you’ll ascend a scenic path up to the ruins of Dürnstein. The route continues over a gentle range of hills to the viewing point and on to the cozy Fesslhütte. Along the way, enjoy magnificent views of the blue Danube, the town of Krems and the impressive Göttweig Abbey, before hiking down through the vineyards towards Krems.

Hotel example: Hotel unter den Linden

 

Return from Spitz to Krems by boat, departure in the early morning or in the late afternoon, included in the price.

Difficulty level

Walking

You walk mainly on good trails and some paved vineyard paths. Depending on the route, you can make the stages more comfortable or more challenging. The peaks in the Wachau region are not high, but steep in places. Surefootedness therefore is required in some places. This week offers a perfect blend of nature, culture and culinary delight.

Difficulty level

Walking

You walk mainly on well-maintained paths and partly paved vineyard tracks. Depending on the route, you can adjust the difficulty of the stages to suit your preference – from leisurely to more challenging. The peaks in the Wachau are not high, but some sections are steep. Therefore, sure-footedness is required in certain places. This walking holiday offers a wonderful combination of nature, culture and culinary delights.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation in 3***-hotels, 4****-hotels and country hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Boat trip from Spitz to Krems*
  • 1 Wine tasting
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline
  • * Boat cruise is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.

Optional Extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Krems (www.oebb.at)
  • Vienna airport and by train to Krems, duration approx. 2 hours (www.oebb.at)
  • Linz airport and by bus to the train station and by train to Krems, duration approx. 2 hours (www.oebb.at)
  • Parking: hotel garage, costs approx. EUR 40 to EUR 160 per week, public parking space, costs approx. EUR 5 to EUR 10 per week

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • 2x ferry trips Danube**, approx. EUR 6 per person **Dürnstein – Weißenkirchen: Boat only runs on weekends during the off-season (March, April, October); alternative hiking option for Day 3
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in 3***- and 4****-hotels and country hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 boat ride Krems – Spitz*
  • 1 wine tasting
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline
  • * Boat cruise is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.

Optional Extras

  • Printed route book, per person EUR 20

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Spitz (www.oebb.at)
  • Vienna airport and by train and bus to Spitz, duration approx. 2.5 hours with 2 changes in St. Pölten and Melk (www.oebb.at)
  • Linz airport, by bus to Linz main station and then by train and bus to Spitz, duration approx. 2.5 hours with 2 changes in St. Pölten and Melk (www.oebb.at)
  • Parking: hotel garage, costs approx. EUR 40 to EUR 160 per week, public parking space, costs approx. EUR 5 to EUR 10 per day

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • 2 ferry rides Danube, costs approx. EUR 6 per person
  • Weißenkirchen – Dürnstein: ferry boat only runs on weekends during the off-season (March, April, October); alternative hiking option for Day 3
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Traveling solo?

Our benefits for independent travelers

NO SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

Available on selected tours and departure dates

NO MINIMUM GROUP SURCHARGE

Active travel experiences for solo travelers - no extra fee

WELL-ORGANIZED & SAFE

Carefully vetted routes, on-site support, reliable navigation

INDIVIDUAL & FLEXIBLE

Travel possible from 1 person & hiking at your own pace

Travel stories for this tour

Personally on site for you

Sophia Altenberger

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Sophia Altenberger
Travel Specialist
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