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Today, 11.02.2026
Cloudy
Wind speed2,5 km/h
Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen
Hiking tour Starting from Dürnstein, old town
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 16,38 km
- Duration: 6:00 h
- Ascent: 491 m elevation gain
- Descent: 494 m elevation gain
On the nearly 17 km long hike from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen, the probably most famous castle ruin of Austria, dreamlike views and famous stone terrace vineyards such as the Klaus and Achleiten vineyards await us.
- Starting point of the tour
- Dürnstein, old town
- Tour destination
- Weißenkirchen, marketplace
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 16,38 km
- Duration: 6:00 h
- Ascent: 491 m elevation gain
- Descent: 494 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:4/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point209 m
- Highest point544 m
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen
The stage from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen is among the most scenic sections of the Wachau World Heritage Trail, combining iconic landmarks with impressive natural settings. From Dürnstein, the trail climbs to the widely known Dürnstein Castle Ruin, one of Austria’s most significant symbols. Through varied woodland and rocky terrain, the route continues past the Starhemberg Lookout Tower and the Fesslhütte to the Kanzel, one of the Wachau’s finest viewpoints with sweeping views over the Danube Valley.
On the opposite bank lies the Pritzenau, a special nature reserve with a revitalised oxbow arm that reflects the river landscape’s ecological diversity. The path then winds through picturesque vineyards and renowned sites such as Achleiten and Klaus, accompanied by striking views of the Danube. The stage ends in the traditional wine village of Weißenkirchen, whose distinctive fortified church shapes the townscape and provides a fitting finale to this culture- and landscape-rich walk.
Walking the Wachau 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.
- Equipment Sturdy hiking boots, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as a Wachau hiking map and a wine tavern calendar. An equipment list can be found at www.welterbesteig.at under the section Service/Tips.
- Route description In the picturesque old town of Dürnstein, we begin our hike. Just behind the Kremser Gate, we take on the old Eselsteig. There is a demonstration garden for Wachau saffron there. Via the old supply route with its stone steps within the city walls, we come to the Dürnstein castle ruins, which served as a prison for King Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. We leave the ruins through the northern castle gate and dive into a bizarre rock and forest landscape. Our path leads through partly untouched oak and pine forests and passes the so-called small castle, the dilapidated outer bailey of the castle. After a steep climb, we reach the summit of the Schlossberg with the Starhemberg lookout. Five minutes later we come to the Fesslhütte (stamp station), where we take a restful break. Here begins the high trail to Weißenkirchen, which offers us repeatedly dreamlike views of the surroundings. After 5–10 minutes, we cross the Vogelbergsteig. Here, a detour to the left to the Dürnstein pulpit, one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the Wachau with a view of the Danube valley and old oak natural forests (approx. 10-minute approach), is worthwhile. Back at the junction, we continue right, at the first junction turn left and then loop downhill. We pass a barrier and then turn left and go downhill on a narrow path. We reach a first wider forest road and keep left, then three times in a row right. This high trail now leads us on an easy-to-walk forest road to the remote hamlet Schildhütten with the winery and wine tavern Pomaßl (stamp station). At the last house, turn right into the vineyards. Past old abandoned vineyards and collapsed stone terraces, we finally reach the Klaus and Achleiten vineyards. Uphill to the right, we reach the Achleiten vineyard with a collection of old and rare grape varieties (stock culture). Via the so-called Achleiten panorama trail, we hike through the vineyards into the Weißenkirchen district of Weitenberg. There we turn left onto a narrow footpath and come into the Weißenkirchen old town. Via the historic church path, we reach the fortified church and through the wooden stairs to the marketplace of Weißenkirchen with the magnificent Renaissance building Teisenhoferhof, where our stage ends.
- Parking Paid parking spaces near Dürnstein or at the Danube beach or train station in Weißenkirchen
- Getting there A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 and B3 via Krems to Dürnstein or Weißenkirchen
- Public transport The towns can be reached seven days a week by public transport (bus and Wachau railway). Return to the starting point of the hike is possible.On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.atThe Wachau railway runs from the end of March to the end of October only on weekends and public holidays, daily from July to the end of September. www.wachaubahn.atStations for the rental bike Nextbike are located in Krems and Dürnstein. www.nextbike.atWith the following ferries, you can quickly cross the Danube bank:-Roll ferry Weißenkirchen-St. Lorenz www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at-Bike ferry Dürnstein-Rossatz www.faehre-wachau.at
- Editor’s tip Right at the beginning of the stage, on the Eselsteig in Dürnstein, there is a demonstration garden of the Wachau Saffron Manufactory. This precious culinary plant always blooms from October to November.
Recommended period
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Current weather in Dürnstein
6° to 9°
3° to 8°
Tomorrow, 12.02.2026
Light rain
Wind speed1,6 km/h
Best of Wachau: The most renowned and recommended gastronomy and accommodation businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau can be found at Best of Wachau.
Fesslhütte, Dürnstein forest huts (stamp station): Summer season: April-October. Winter opening hours on request.
Wine tavern and refreshment station Pomaßl, Weißenkirchen Schildhütten (stamp station)
The refreshment station (water, non-alcoholic drinks, and wine) is always accessible and is located in the refrigerator below the stamp station.
Further information on dining and accommodation options can be found at www.wachau.at. Please note the shortened winter opening hours of the Weißenkirchen gastronomy businesses (November-March), www.weissenkirchen-wachau.at.
Wine taverns can be found in Dürnstein, Schildhütten (stamp and refreshment station Pomaßl), and in Weißenkirchen. Several wine taverns are open in winter. Please refer to the current wine tavern calendar.
For simple and convenient planning of the routes, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Easily download for Android or iPhone.