Pilgrimage on the Way of St. James in the Wachau

Pilgrim walk without luggage on the Way of St. James in the Wachau from Göttweig Abbey to Melk Abbey.

The Way of St. James in the Wachau takes hikers and pilgrims from Göttweig Abbey to Melk Abbey. Enjoy a glimpse into the life of the most magnificent monasteries in the region. In the Danube Valley and the section of it known as the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, pilgrims can look forward to scenic vineyards and the vast Dunkelsteinerwald forest region along with picturesque villages, monasteries and several fortresses castles and ruins.

Day 1 – Arrival
Distance 5 km – Duration 2 h
Travel on your own to Furth-Göttweig.
On your day of arrival, you head up to Göttweig Abbey – often called Austria’s Monte Cassino – for an informative tour of this Benedictine monastery at the eastern gateway to the Wachau.
Overnight stay in Furth, breakfast included.

Day 2 – Furth - Maria Langegg
Distance 21 km – Duration 6 h
From Furth, the pilgrimage route continues to Mautern with its vestiges of ancient Roman times and to the wine town of Mauternbach. The historical Roman road (Römerweg) leads to the Archduke Ferdinand lookout point, for breathtaking views extending from Krems to Dürnstein. After Unterbergern and Oberbergern, you cross over the Bergerner Höhe and enter the Dunkelsteinerwald forest region. The pilgrimage route passes burial mounds (Sieben Gräber) and an ancient wayside cross (Rotes Kreuz), then continues to Kreuzberg. From there, it proceeds via an 18th century wayside cross (Kastlkreuz) to Maria Langegg, a Baroque pilgrimage site.
Overnight stay in Maria Langegg, breakfast included.

Day 3 – Maria Langegg - Aggsbach Dorf/Aggstein
Distance 10.5 km – Duration 3 h
You can start the day by visiting the Langegg pilgrimage museum and the pilgrimage church Mary, Health of the Sick.
Next is Aggstein, the castle of the Kuenrings and of robber barons. Explore this medieval castle with its hidden stairways and towers and take in the stunning views extending to the Alpine foothills.
The Way of St. James descends into the Danube Valley to Aggstein and then over a hill known as the Hartl to Aggsbach Dorf. Visit the meditation garden at the Carthusian monastery in Aggsbach and the Carthusian church in Aggsbach Dorf.  You can also visit the mineral center and hammer mill in Aggsbach by prior arrangement.
Overnight stay in Aggsbach Dorf/Aggstein, breakfast included.

Day 4 – Aggsbach Dorf/Aggstein - Melk
Distance 17 km – Duration 6 h
From Aggsbach Dorf/Aggstein the route takes you through a gorge, Wolfsteingraben, up to the Wolfstein ruin and over the Hohenwarthe Höhe to Schönbühel with its striking castle (not open to the public). About 1 km upstream, there is a Servite monastery with a faithful replica of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. (Tip: You can only take a tour if you arrange it when you book the package.)
After Schönbühel, you head uphill again to Hub, where you are rewarded with a view of Melk Abbey. It is just a short ascent from there to Melk via the Pielachmündung-Steinwand nature reserve. Your relaxing, yet at times strenuous, pilgrimage between the two abbeys is now over and is sure to remain a fond memory for years to come.
Overnight stay in Melk, breakfast included.

Day 5 – Pilgrim taxi and trip home
After a hearty breakfast, it is time for a tour of magnificent Melk Abbey. Group tours are offered on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historical center of Melk is also an inviting place to linger and shop with its historical buildings and picturesque lanes.
The pilgrim taxi (Pilgertaxi) then returns you to your point of departure. From there, you can head for home.
 

Package price per person starting from € 489,00 in a double room, local tax not included
Package price per person starting from € 635,00 in a single room, local tax not included

Services included:

• 4 overnight stays in selected accommodations, breakfast included
• 3 daily hiker’s bag lunches for on the trail with regional products, prepared by the host
• 3 luggage transfers by the selected accommodation (max. of 1 piece of luggage per person)
• 1 passenger and luggage transfer by the pilgrim taxi from Melk to your point of departure in Furth/Göttweig.
• 1 admission to and group tour of the Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
• 1 admission to and group tour of Melk Abbey
• 1 set of hiking information

Services not included and to be paid on-site:

• local tax of € 1.60 per person/night (age 15 and up)
• parking fee in Furth if you come in your own car

Organizer:
Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, A-3620 Spitz an der Donau, Schlossgasse 3, GISA-Zahl: 13091941.
The general terms and conditions of Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH apply. These can be found under www.donau.com/impressum.