The Wachau Cultural Landscape is a stretch of the Danube valley between the towns of Krems and Melk. Its beautiful landscapes with views of the Danube, hillside vineyards, well-preserved castles and monasteries and pretty villages have earned it status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area has preserved its medieval character while incorporating innovative, modern infrastructure. It is fantastic for hikers and cyclists, with trails and cycle paths galore.
Historic attractions include the superb Melk Abbey, a stunning example of Baroque architecture and well worth a visit at the end of your trip. The village of Duernstein is renowned as the place where English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned and you can visit the ruins of the castle.
Wachau is a popular destination for wine lovers who come to sample some of Austria’s finest dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners. As well as excellent white wine the area is also famous for its apricots which are used to produce a local liqueur.
Self-guided walking holiday along the Danube in Wachau
The ‘Wachau Cultural Landscape’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most scenic stretch of the River Danube, offering some wonderful walks through vineyards and past medieval castles and abbeys. Explore the area from Krems to Melk on this fantastic self-guided walking holiday, walking between 10 and 18 km per day. Luggage transfers included. Price from € 805 euros per person
Highlights
- Discover the beautifully well-preserved landscape of the Wachau
- Take a boat trip along the Danube
- Sample some of the excellent local wines
Included
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 3-4 star inns/hotels
- Bed & breakfast basis
- Welcome video with useful information for the tour
- Hiking map and further information on the area (1 per room)
- 4 bus tickets
- 1 ticket for boat trip Krems – Weissenkirchen
- 3 luggage transfers - max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/piece of luggage
- Service hotline daily from 9.00am - 7.00pm (also on weekends)
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals & beverages - unless otherwise specified above
- Local taxes where applicable
- Everything not specified above
Itinerary
Day One:
Arrival in Krems, a charming town on the bank of the Danube with many historic and cultural places of interest.
Overnight in Krems
Day Two: Krems - Duernstein
Head through the historic town of Krems out into the Krems Valley and Wachau wine terraces where you will find some splendid views. Head towards Stein with its historic vineyards and walk the old wine routes to the Wachau wine growing area via Pfaffenberg. Head along the impressive Ried Loibenberg until you reach the pretty village of Duernstein. Return by bus to Krems.
Overnight in Krems
Distance: 12km; Time 4.5 hours; Ascent: 385m; Descent: 391m
Day Three: Krems – Weissenkirchen – Spitz
Take a boat ride along the Danube to the charming town of Weissenkirchen. From here head up through the largest vineyards in the area and discover a varied landscape of meadows, woodland and rock formations. The trail ends at the red gate where you enter the town of Spitz
Overnight in Spitz
Distance: 11km; Time 3.5 hours; Ascent: 506m; Descent: 494m
Day Four: Spitzer Graeben – Muehldorf
Explore a side valley of Wachau, the Spitzer Graben, via Tausendeimerberg and Setzberg to Muthstall. You could stop to visit the well-restored Oberanna castle (now also a hotel) or continue on along the Rannabach creek downwards to Kalvarienberg and on to Muehldorf. Return by bus to Spitz.
Overnight in Spitz
Distance: 11km; Time 4 hours; Ascent: 487m; Descent: 345m
Day Five: Spitz – Aggsbach Markt – Emmersdorf
Take the bus to Aggsbach Markt from here follow a picturesque trail via Edelberg to the Baerenreut plateau. Continue on via Zintring and Felbring to the ruins at Gossam and from there follow the historic postal track to Moedelsdorf. Follow an old trade route to the Renaissance village of Emmersdorf.
Overnight stay in Emmersdorf
Distance: 15km; Time 5 hours; Ascent: 611m; Descent: 607m
Day Six: Emmersdorf – Weiten
Today take the Jauerling-Runde hiking trail. The stage starts in Emmersdorf and leads you to Rothenhof castle and St. Georgen. Continue up to Poemling and then down to Eitental. Above the Lohsdorfer Hoehe and the Koegelfeld you reach the highest point of the stage, the Spielerkreuz. An old trade route leads you to Weiten. Return by bus to Emmersdorf.
Overnight stay in Emmersdorf
Distance: 18km; Time 6 hours; Ascent: 632m; Descent: 509m
Day Seven: Emmersdorf – Melk
Head up to the village Rantenberg. Here you can visit the Dachberg observation tower and enjoy the fantastic view. The rest of the route heads downhill to the Danube. Cross the Danube and enter Melk old town.
Overnight in Melk
Distance: 10km; Time 3 hours; Ascent: 236m; Descent: 231m
Please Note
This is a fairly easy hiking trip suitable for beginners but a reasonable level of fitness is still required. Please make sure that you have suitable footwear and clothing as well as sun and rain protection.
You will be staying at 3-4 star hotels and inns along the route, breakfast included.
2 nights in Krems
2 nights in Spitz
2 nights in Emmersdorf
1 night in Melk
The precise itinerary with names of your accommodation will be provided upon booking.
Nearest Airport: Vienna (85km) 1 hour
By Car:
As you will be starting and ending the tour at different points we don’t recommend driving.
By Public Transport:
There is a train from Vienna Hauptbahnhof to both Krems and Melk changing at St. Pölten Hbf, the journey takes just over 1 hour in either direction depending on connection times.
By Private Transfer:
Taxi available outside airport. Private transfer available on request after main booking.
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