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Hiker at a rest, sitting on a rock above Dürnstein and the Danube

World Heritage Trail Wachau, Krems – Melk

Wine and culture on beautiful blue Danube

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
Hiker at a rest, sitting on a rock above Dürnstein and the Danube

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 aromatic vineyards. Little hamlets dot the landscape and apart from the famous wine, delicious apricot delicacies belong to the outstanding regional specialities.

Wine, culture and nature create a unique symphony on the hiking holiday in the Wachau. From the mountain ranges in the Danube valley you have unique views over Austria’s largest river and one of the oldest cultural landscapes in the country, the Wachau region. En route along the World Heritage, long-distance hiking trail, you will pass pretty towns and wine villages such as Weißenkirchen, Spitz and Krems.

  • Hike in the vineyards: What makes the Wachau region so special are definitely the numerous vineyards perched on the slopes. On a hiking holiday, the route sometimes even takes you along the vineyard paths.
  • Wine & Culinary art: pancakes filled with apricot jam, fine spirits and of course the wonderful wines of the Wachau – on the hiking holiday in the Danube river valley you experience culinary highlights every day.
  • Discover the Wachau from the river Danube: Of course, a boat trip must not be missing on the hiking holiday along the Danube! Between Melk and Krems you have the opportunity to gain completely new impressions of the Wachau.
  • Hiking with a dog: The Wachau World Heritage Trail is also ideal for your four-legged friend thanks to the optimum route guidance without long ascents. Find out more about walking holidays with a dog.

You start your hiking week with your individual arrival at Krems. The UNESCO World Heritage city features winding streets and wineries. Your hiking holiday begins the very next day with the first hike to Dürnstein. The route takes you via Weißenkirchen and Spitz to Melk, before returning to Krems by boat on the Danube. Every day you hike between 12 and 14 kilometres and climb several Wachau peaks, which are not high but steep. Surefootedness is therefore an advantage in certain sections.

Itinerary at a glance

In the Danube valley between Krems and Melk, you will hike along the river, over vineyards and up to viewing points as well as to the ruins of Dürnstein. A visit to the imposing Melk Abbey and a boat trip round off your hiking trip.

Hotel example: Unter den Linden

Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with view on blue Danube, the city Krems and impressing 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

Surrounded by sunny vineyards and green forests the mighty gothic parish church of Weißenkirchen is  remarkable sight. The wine grower villages Joching, Wösendorf and St. Michael form together with Weißenkirchen the biggest wine grower community of Wachau. Visit museums, beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the wine taverns. Or do a short hike on the Achleiten circuit to stop by the winegrower!

Hotel example: Hotel Kirchenwirt

Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform allows stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous wine grower community Spitz an der Donau.

Hotel example: Goldenes Schiff

Cross the Danube by ferry to Maria Langegg. Here you follow St. Jacob’s trail to ruin Aggsbach. Visit the fortress with scenic views across the Danube valley and stop for a snack. Down you walk to Aggsbach where you catch the coach to Melk.

Hotel example: Hotel Restaurant Zur Post

Visit the impressive monastery with beautiful grounds before you board the Danube boat. During the cruise to Krems you pass the highlights of the week, see all the vineyards as well as Spitz and Dürnstein.

Hotel example: Unter den Linden

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

In the Danube valley between Krems and Melk, you will hike along the river, over vineyards and up to viewing points as well as to the ruins of Dürnstein. A visit to the imposing Melk Abbey and a boat trip round off your hiking trip.

Hotel example: Unter den Linden

Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with view on blue Danube, the city Krems and impressing 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

Surrounded by sunny vineyards and green forests the mighty gothic parish church of Weißenkirchen is  remarkable sight. The wine grower villages Joching, Wösendorf and St. Michael form together with Weißenkirchen the biggest wine grower community of Wachau. Visit museums, beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the wine taverns. Or do a short hike on the Achleiten circuit to stop by the winegrower!

Hotel example: Hotel Kirchenwirt

Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform allows stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous wine grower community Spitz an der Donau.

Hotel example: Goldenes Schiff

Cross the Danube by ferry to Maria Langegg. Here you follow St. Jacob’s trail to ruin Aggsbach. Visit the fortress with scenic views across the Danube valley and stop for a snack. Down you walk to Aggsbach where you catch the coach to Melk.

Hotel example: Hotel Restaurant Zur Post

Visit the impressive monastery with beautiful grounds before you board the Danube boat. During the cruise to Krems you pass the highlights of the week, see all the vineyards as well as Spitz and Dürnstein.

Hotel example: Unter den Linden

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

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.

Prices & Dates

Category: partly 4**** hotels, mainly 3*** hotels and country hotels

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Boat trip from Melk to Krems*
  • 1 Wine tasting (German, English)

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

* Boat trip is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train from Vienna to Krems and a few minutes walk to the starting hotel.
  • Vienna airport.
  • Parking: parking spaces at the hotel or in the surrounding for approx. EUR 30 per week. No reservation required.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • 3x ferry trips Danube, bus fare from Aggsdorf to Melk, approx. EUR 6 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Boat trip from Melk to Krems*
  • 1 Wine tasting (German, English)

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

* Boat trip is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train from Vienna to Krems and a few minutes walk to the starting hotel.
  • Vienna airport.
  • Parking: Partly chargeable hotel parking spaces approx. EUR 40 per week. Sufficient public parking spaces near the hotels for approx. EUR 50 per week, no pre-booking.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • 3x ferry trips Danube, bus fare from Aggsdorf to Melk, approx. EUR 6 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

From our hiking blog

Verena Winkler

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Verena Winkler
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