Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein

Description

Wachau World Heritage Trail: from Krems to Dürnstein

The stage from Krems to Dürnstein leads through one of the Wachau’s most impressive cultural landscapes, linking urban heritage with viticulture, protected habitats and striking viewpoints. The starting point is Hoher Markt with the historic Gozzoburg in Krems. Passing the Piarist Church, the Kreuzberg steps open the way into the vineyards above Krems, where wide views across the Danube Valley and the surrounding vineyard sites define the landscape character.

Through the historic old town of Stein and the distinctive wine landscape above Stein with its castle ruins, the route follows old wine paths eastwards. Over the Pfaffenberg, the trail enters the core Wachau wine-growing area, crowned by the imposing Loibenberg vineyard site. The Höhereck and Kellerberg nature reserves highlight the region’s ecological richness, before a remarkable rocky and wooded landscape unfolds beneath Dürnstein Castle Ruin, with ancient pines and oaks. Via the panoramic Kuhberg, the path finally descends to the Kremser Tor and into the historic centre of Dürnstein.

Walking the World Heritage Trail reveals, step by step, why the Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage region. Finely curated World Heritage Spots make the defining World Heritage Highlights visible—the interplay of cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural habitats and the Danube as a shaping force.

For a carefree, all-round offer—including luggage transfer, tastings and transfers—one of the varied walking packages is recommended.

Thanks to excellent rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is straightforward. Within the region, a dense public transport network makes all stages easy to reach by bus, train, ferry and boat, allowing stages to be combined with great flexibility.

The Wachau World Heritage Trail also holds the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification represents high standards in route design, waymarking, safety and infrastructure, confirming the trail as a reliable, high-quality walking experience at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Starting point of the tour

Krems, Hoher Markt (High market)

Destination point of the tour

Dürnstein, Altstadt („old part of town“)

Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein

At „Hoher Markt“ high market in Krems with the Gozzoburg (castle) you walk north to the old Piarist convent (today University of Applied Sciences) and its church, where a gorgeous view over the old part of town awaits you. After the church you turn right and then down to the left. You are crossing the old ditch with the city wall and reach Alauntalstreet. Only a few steps later you find „Kreuzbergstiege“ (stairs) the most beautiful outdoor staircase of the World Heritage Trail. Passing old villas you walk up towards „Kreuzberg“(hill). At the end of the stairs you turn left and get into „ Ried Kögel“ and the vineyards of Krems. Again stunning views.

The way leads through the vineyards and down to University Campus of Krems. On the road you turn right,- the University on your left- cross the street and reach philosophers track. Below the vineyards of Stein you cross the rails of Wachautrain and arrive at the medieval gate „Wiedentor“ (access to the vineyards of Stein). A couple of meters further you enter the cellar alley of Stein with several „Heurigen“ taverns and attain a gate called „Steiner Rebentor“ and the „Frauenbergkirche“ (women hill church): a nice restplace and viewpoint. At the entrance gate of tavern family „Mayr-Resch“ you find the stamp station.

You follow the cellar alley until the train, walk down the stairs, cross the street and take the stairs up to the ruin Stein and the vineyard „Altenburg“. The way leads through the idyllic vineyards of Stein and the „Förthofgraben“ (trench). It bends right up to „Pfaffenberg“ (hill), which marks the beginning of the wine growing part of the Wachau. From now on you follow an old winetrack, passing the hamlet „Rothenhof“ and enter the wonderful wine scenery of „Loibenberg“ with its stone terraces. On the wine path „Loibenweg“ you walk through well known vineyards such as „Steinertal, Höhereck and Kellerberg“.

The summits of Höhereck and Kellerberg are biodiverse dry grasslands and former grazing lands, which are preserved areas. These dry habitats give shelter to seldom orchids, mantis and the famous stonefeathergras. On „Kellerberg“ you see the small baroque castle „Kellerschlößerl“ (former pleasure palace of cloister Dürnstein) and the big winery domain Wachau. Leaving the vineyards and entering a small, bizarre rock- and forest landscape walking on a narrow path you reach „Kuhberg“ (cowhill) above Dürnstein. Below that you turn stay left and after a few minutes you reach „Kremser Tor“ gate (or also known as „Steinertorturm“) and the old part of Dürnstein.