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Wachau World Heritage Trail
Hiking tour Starting from Dependent on choice of stage
©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Donau NÖ Tourismus/Robert Herbst ©Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal ©Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 179,30 km
- Duration: 55:00 h
What connects banks
- Starting point of the tour
- Dependent on choice of stage
- Tour destination
- Dependent on the chosen stage
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Distance: 179,30 km
- Duration: 55:00 h
- Fitness level required:6/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point197 m
- Highest point960 m
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
Description
Relaxed and enjoyable long-distance hiking in the UNESCO World Hertige site Wachau: Along its 180 kilometers between Melk and Krems, the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail combines a unique cultural and natural landscape with rich history and regional culinary delights. Culture and landscape influence each other, rare natural areas such as dry grassland and dry stone walls as well as the originally preserved villages and settlements are tangible signs of a long history of settlement. Nowhere else can the Danube be hiked more beautifully than on the 14 stages of the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail. The Wachau not only offers impressive natural scenery, but also culinary delights. After a hike through the vineyards, the typical Wachau wines can be tasted at a rustic wine tavern, in a traditional inn or in one of the excellent restaurants.
The Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality. This certification stands for high quality standards in terms of route guidance, signposting, safety and infrastructure and confirms the World Heritage Trail as a reliable and high-quality hiking offer in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a carefree all-round offer, including luggage transport, tastings and transfer services, we recommend booking one of the versatile hiking packages.
Why is the Wachau actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
... because nature, culture and human use have interacted here in a unique way for centuries. Finely curated World Heritage Spots along the Welterbesteig Wachau - Wachau World Heritage Trail make this special feature visible and tangible. They offer impressive views of the region's World Heritage highlights - historic sites, striking landscapes, traditional winegrowing culture and natural stretches of the Danube, which together make up the exceptional universal value of the Wachau.
Thanks to good rail connections, a relaxed and sustainable journey to the Wachau is easy. A dense network of public transport in the region ensures that all stages can be easily reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.
- safety instructions 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.
- Equipment We recommend the following equipment:Hiking bootsBackpackWeatherproof clothing (e.g. rain gear)HeadwearSun protectionAdequate provisions (water, snack)Wachau hiking map and/or mobile tour planner
- 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.atIn Melk at the Danube shore near the ship stations, in all other places on public parking areas.
- Getting there 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.
- Public transport 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 minutesFrom 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 queryVOR East Region public transport timetable queryWestbahn timetable
- Editor’s tip 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.
Recommended period
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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.
Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026