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The Danube in Lower Austria Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal Kamptal-Wagram Tullner Donauraum Wagram Römerland Carnuntum-Marchfeld
What connects the banks
Relaxed and enjoyable long-distance hiking in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau: The Wachau World Heritage Trail connects a unique cultural and natural landscape with rich history and regional culinary delights over its 180 kilometers between Melk and Krems. Culture and landscape influence each other; rare natural habitats like dry grasslands and dry stone walls as well as the originally preserved towns and settlements are tangible signs of a long settlement history.
Nowhere else can the Danube be hiked more beautifully than on the 14 stages of the Wachau World Heritage Trail.
But the Wachau offers not only an impressive natural backdrop but also culinary specialties. After a hike through the vineyards, the typical Wachau wines can be tasted at a rustic wine tavern, a traditional inn, or in one of the excellent restaurants.
For a carefree all-around offer, including luggage transport, tastings, and transfers, it is advisable to book one of the versatile hiking packages.
Thanks to good train connections, relaxed and sustainable arrival in the Wachau is easy. In the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry, and ship. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.
Plan sufficient time to visit the worthwhile excursion destinations in the region, e.g. the Kunstmeile Krems with the Lower Austria State Gallery, Melk Abbey and Göttweig Abbey.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Please observe the following tips and notes to make your hiking holiday a pleasant experience:
Stay on the marked paths and wear mountain/hiking boots.
Please do not leave your rubbish on the path.
Carry enough provisions (water/snack) with you.
Take the hiking map with you or use the free hiking app.
Respect the sensitive habitats of plant and animal life.
All information about the stages can be found at www.welterbesteig.at The Wachau hiking map can be requested free of charge from Donau NÖ Tourismus GmbH by phone at 02713-30060-60 or downloaded from the brochure shop at www.donau.com/prospekte.
Thanks to good train connections, relaxed and sustainable arrival in the Wachau is easy. In the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry, and ship.
From Vienna (Franz Josef Station) to Krems: travel time approx. 1 hour (continue with the regional VOR bus lines 720 or 715)
From St. Pölten (Westbahn) to Krems: travel time approx. 30-45 minutes
From Linz: Westbahn to St. Pölten, continue by regional train to Krems or Westbahn to Melk (continue with the regional VOR bus lines 720 or 715).
From Vienna via the A22 and S5 to Krems, then on the B3 along the north bank through the Wachau to the towns along the Danube.
From the A1 West motorway from St. Pölten via the S33 to Krems, optionally continue on the B3 along 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 West motorway to Melk exit and along the B33 along the south bank to Mautern, A1 West motorway to Melk, switch to the north bank at the Danube bridge and on the B3 through the Wachau to the chosen starting point at Krems.
In the parking garages of Krems 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 homepage of the city of Krems www.krems.gv.at
In Melk at the Danube shore near the ship stations, in all other places on public parking areas.
We recommend the following equipment:
Hiking boots
Backpack
Weatherproof clothing (e.g. rain gear)
Headwear
Sun protection
Adequate provisions (water, snack)
Wachau hiking map and/or mobile tour planner
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
From Krems to Dürnstein you are walking through the historic quarters of Krems and Stein, ensembles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings ...
On the nearly 17 km long hike from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen, the probably most famous castle ruin of Austria, dreamlike views and famous stone ...
Note: Complete closure of World Heritage Trail Stage 3 between St. Michael and Spitz Due to extensive forest maintenance and path renovation work ...
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 Mühldorf to Maria Laach, we hike through a beautiful landscape in the Jauerling Nature Park, the highest mountain on the Danube.
Our hike, about 7 km long, leads over the Jauerling plateau with its meadow landscape over the Schleinkhof estate down to the Danube at Aggsbach ...
The Jauerling high plateau and its villages, bell towers, magnificent panoramic views, and the lonely little castle church in Gossam await us on ...
The villages of Emmersdorf, unique panoramic views, the imperial Schloss Luberegg, the Danube and waterfront promenades await us on the ten ...
We hike 16 km from Melk over the Hohenwarther Höhe past the Hammerschmiede to Aggsbach Dorf. Great views of the Danube, the impressive grand ...
The Kuenringer fortress and today’s Aggstein ruins, the magnificent baroque Maria Langegg pilgrimage monastery, the little-known Dunkelsteinerwald ...
Wine villages and Wachau wine landscapes, Roman paths and ruins, a nature reserve with untouched oak and hornbeam forests, and wonderful panoramic ...
The most beautiful view of Dürnstein and the scenic Bergerner Höhe await us on this route. From Rossatz, we hike through the nature reserve on the ...
Over 13 km, we experience wonderful wine landscapes, small vintner villages, and the sacred Göttweigerberg on our route from Unterbergern to Mautern.
Roman ruins, the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque, Gothic monasteries and churches, top culinary delights, and picturesque old towns await ...