Description
Relaxed, rewarding long-distance walking in the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Wachau: the Wachau World Heritage Trail links Melk and Krems over 180 kilometres, combining a unique cultural and natural setting with rich history and regional cuisine. Culture and landscape have shaped one another for centuries; rare habitats such as dry grasslands and dry-stone walls, as well as remarkably well-preserved towns and villages, bear witness to a long tradition of settlement. Nowhere else can the Danube be experienced on foot more beautifully than on the World Heritage Trail’s 14 stages. Yet the Wachau offers more than dramatic scenery: after walking through the vineyards, typical Wachau wines can be enjoyed at a traditional Heuriger, in a classic inn, or in one of the region’s acclaimed restaurants.
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. For a carefree, all-round offer—including luggage transfer, tastings and transfers—one of the varied walking packages is recommended.
Why is the Wachau a UNESCO World Heritage region?
Because nature, culture and human land use have evolved here in an exceptional way over centuries. Finely curated World Heritage Spots along the Wachau World Heritage Trail make this distinctive character visible and tangible. From these viewpoints and places, impressive perspectives open up onto the region’s World Heritage Highlights—historic towns, striking landforms, traditional wine culture and near-natural stretches of the Danube—together expressing the Wachau’s outstanding universal value.
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.
Starting point of the tour
Dependent on choice of stage
Destination point of the tour
Dependent on the chosen stage
Directions
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.
Parking
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.
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).
ÖBB timetable query
VOR East Region public transport timetable query
Westbahn timetable
