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Today, 11.02.2026
Light rain shower
Wind speed2,1 km/h
Wachau World Heritage Trail 09: Melk-Aggsbach Dorf
Hiking tour Starting from Melk, town hall square
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 15,70 km
- Duration: 6:00 h
- Ascent: 509 m elevation gain
- Descent: 513 m elevation gain
We hike 16 km from Melk over the Hohenwarther Höhe past the Hammerschmiede to Aggsbach Dorf. Great views of the Danube, the impressive grand buildings Schloss Schönbühel and Melk Abbey, idyllic villages, and diverse nature are experienced on our route.
- Starting point of the tour
- Melk, town hall square
- Tour destination
- Aggsbach Dorf, Hammerschmiede
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 15,70 km
- Duration: 6:00 h
- Ascent: 509 m elevation gain
- Descent: 513 m elevation gain
- Fitness level required:4/6
- Overall experience:5/6
- Scenery:5/6
- Lowest point208 m
- Highest point527 m
- Stage tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
- Accessibility by train and bus
Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Melk to Aggsbach Dorf
The stage from Melk to Aggsbach Dorf begins at Melk’s main square and passes the Baroque Melk Abbey before climbing to the Pielachberg. At the Jonaskreuz, a broad panorama opens across the Danube, the Jauerling and the surrounding landscape. An historic farm track then leads to Schönbühel, whose striking castle sits high above the river.
Via the village of Berging, the route continues through woodland to the Hohenwarther Höhe, rewarding with wide views over the Dunkelsteinerwald. Over the Hohenwarthberg, the trail finally descends to Aggsbach Dorf on the Danube, where this varied stage ends.
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.
TheWachau 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 shoes, rain protection, sufficient drinks and food, as well as the 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 Our stage begins at the main square in Melk. From here, it is not far to the town hall square, which we cross lengthwise and then immediately turn left up Sechsergasse. We reach the Klostersteig and immediately the Melk Abbey, where we turn right onto Abt-Dietmayrstraße. Slightly downhill, we soon reach Wiener Straße and follow it out of town past the outdoor swimming pool. We go under the main road, go straight ahead at the roundabout, and reach the Pielach via Pielacher Straße. We cross the river on a small bridge, turn left at the first street, and shortly after keep right again. We hike up to Pielachberg and turn left in the village at the top. On an old farm road, we reach the Jonas Cross at 344 m. The beautiful rest area offers a wonderful view of the Danube, the Jauerling, and towards Melk. After a long rest, we follow the farm road further towards Hub and descend to Schönbühel with its impressive castle. We cross the federal road and walk along the Danube promenade by the flood protection wall. In the village, there are several taverns inviting you for a cozy break. In front of the municipal square, we go right and follow Rossbachweg to Berging. In the village, we enjoy a great view over Schönbühel and the picturesque course of the Danube. We walk along the main road and turn right. Now it goes up shady forest paths to the Hohenwarther Höhe. From 475 m, we have a magnificent panoramic view over the Dunkelsteinerwald. Afterwards, we hike over Hohenwarthberg down towards the Danube to Aggsbach Dorf. At Hotel Residenz Wachau (stamp station), we cross the street to the Danube, where our stage ends.
- Parking At the parking lot by the boat docks on the Danube in Melk or at the Aggsbach Dorf Charterhouse
- Getting there A1 to Melk, continue on B33 to Aggsbach Dorf
- Public transport The villages are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.Melk lies on the Westbahn railway line and is connected to Krems station by bus line 720 (Krems-Rossatz - Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems). On the north bank, bus line 715 runs from Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems. www.vor.atNextbike bike rental stations are located in Melk and Aggsbach Dorf, www.nextbike.at
- Editor’s tip If you have some time, you can visit the Aggsbach Charterhouse.
Recommended period
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Current weather in Melk
4° to 7°
4° to 9°
Tomorrow, 12.02.2026
Light rain shower
Wind speed2,0 km/h
For dining and overnight accommodation, we recommend Best of Wachau enterprises: www.bestof-wachau.at. Best of Wachau enterprises are located in Melk and Aggsbach Dorf.
Dining options/opening times:
In Melk, there are several restaurants and cafes open year-round, www.stadt-melk.at. In Melk Abbey, there is the Abbey restaurant. www.stiftsrestaurant-melk.at Tel. 02752/52555
Restaurant/guesthouse "Domingo", Aggsbach Dorf: Tel. 02753/8353.
Inn/guesthouse "Zur Kartause", Aggsbach Dorf www.gasthof-lechner.at; Tel. 02753/8243
Restaurant/Hotel Residenz Wachau, Aggsbach Dorf www.residenz-wachau.at; Tel. 02753/8221
Please also check the current online wine tavern calendar
On this stage, you will find the only cider tavern on the World Heritage Trail Wachau: Mostheuriger Bitter family, Berging No. 6; Tel. 02752/82918, www.wachaubeef.at
For easy and convenient planning of the routes, the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal app is recommended. Simply download it for Android or iPhone.