World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour
World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

8 days

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Discover Austria’s Wachau Valley by walking the World Heritage Trail

The Danube is even more beautiful here in the Wachau area, Austria than anywhere else, making the self-guided, eight-day World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour a must-do! The mild climate and steep hills make it ideal territory for orchards and vineyards.

Your hiking week leads through the long-distance trail World Heritage Trail Wachau along the ridges of the Danube valley. On the varied walking routes, you can enjoy magnificent views of one of Austria's oldest cultural landscapes with characteristic vineyards, apricot gardens and the impressive Danube stream in the valley. A varied walking tour leads past steep rocks, soft hills, and aromatic vineyards. Little hamlets dot the landscape, and apart from the famous wine, delicious apricot delicacies belong to the unique regional specialties.

You start your hiking week with your individual arrival at Krems. The UNESCO World Heritage city features winding streets and wineries. Your hiking holiday begins the very next day with the first hike to Dürnstein. The route takes you via Weißenkirchen and Spitz to Melk, before returning to Krems by boat on the Danube. Every day you hike between 12 and 14 kilometres and climb several Wachau peaks, which are not high but steep. Surefootedness is therefore an advantage in certain sections.

Side note: One of the best parts about this tour is that it is dog-friendly!

*You can also book a shorter or ‘charm’ version of this same tour*

Highlights of the World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

Discover unforgettable views along the long-distance World Heritage Trail Wachau, punctuated by the Danube river and hills steeped with orchards and vineyards.
Spend time exploring quaint, storied towns along the Danube, such as Durnstein, Spitz, and Krems.
Walk past the largest apricot growing area in Austria as you meander old tracks, catching stunning views of the Alps lining your sightline.
Follow the wine trail to catch glimpses of the iconic wine cellars, then head through a forest and toward a platform with panoramic vistas—enjoy a wine tasting!

Prices

From $975USD
8 days
Difficulty
Self-Guided
Hotels
  • No Booking or Credit Card Fees
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World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Krems

Discover Krems and get comfortable in your hotel!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Krems
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Walk to Durnstein

Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with a view over the ‘blue’ river Danube, the city Krems and the magnificent monastery Göttweig. Cross the hills to the cozy Fesslhütte and reach the Dürnstein ruins on a trail with great views before reaching the banks of the Danube.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Durnstein
Distance: 12km, ascend 510m, descend 500m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Head to the Heart of Wachau

Take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz. Continue past Austria's largest apricot growing area on old tracks up to Seekopf, with stunning views of the Alps. Optional: take a walk along the Danube through orchards to the ferry.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Weißenkirchen
Distance: 16km, ascend 480m, descend 480m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Explore Weißenkirchen

Surrounded by sunny vineyards and green forests the mighty gothic parish church of Weißenkirchen is a remarkable sight. The wine grower villages Joching, Wösendorf and St. Michael form together with Weißenkirchen the biggest wine grower community of Wachau. Visit museums, beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on the Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the wine taverns. Or do a short hike on the Achleiten circuit to stop by the winegrower!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Weißenkirchen
Distance: 4km, ascend 100m, descend 100m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Discover Spitz

The wine trail leads you out of Weißenkirchen, past small cellar alleys and up into the unique wine landscape high above the Danube. On the World Heritage Trail, you hike through the heart of the Wachau. At the landmark of Spitz, the “Red Gate”, you descend into the famous wine village beside the Danube.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Spitz
Distance: 11km, ascend 340m, descend 330m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Head from Spitz to Melk

Cross the Danube by ferry to Maria Langegg. Here you follow St. Jacob’s trail to ruin Aggsbach. Visit the fortress with scenic views across the Danube valley and stop for a snack. Down you walk to Aggsbach where you catch the coach to Melk.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Melk
Distance: 15km, ascend 640m, descend 640m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Boat Cruise to Melk

Visit the impressive monastery with beautiful grounds before you board the Danube boat. During the cruise to Krems you pass the highlights of the week, see all the vineyards as well as Spitz and Dürnstein.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Krems
Distance: 15km, ascend 640m, descend 640m
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Depart the tour

Soak in your last sights of Krems before heading on your next adventure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

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This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.

2025 Departures:
The departures are available daily, from March 29th to October 12th, 2025.

  • Single room: from $1,275 USD*
  • Sharing a double room: from $975 USD*

*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.

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Accommodation on World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Unter den Linden in Krems ★★★

Unter den Linden sits in the center of Krems and close to several attractions. Relish in comfort at this cozy, relatively quiet hotel!

Sänger Blondel in Durnstein

Enjoy the quaint, cozy vibes at the family-owned Sänger Blondel in Durnstein. Expect typical hotel amenities.

Hotel Kirchenwirt in Weißenkirchen ★★★★

Bask in luxury at the stylish, but cozy Hotel Kirchenwirt in Weißenkirchen. Expect friendly hospitality and an awesome, central location!

Goldenens Schiff in Spitz

Expect typical cozy, countryside vibes fused with luxury at this lovely hotel in Spitz.

Hotel Restaurant Zur Post in Melk

Enjoy a blend of romantic and practical vibes at the comfortable, welcoming Hotel Restaurant Zur Post in Melk.

Unter den Linden in Krems ★★★

Unter den Linden sits in the center of Krems and close to several attractions. Relish in comfort at this cozy, relatively quiet hotel!

What’s Included in the World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour?

Meals

7 breakfasts are included. Wine tasting on day 4 is also included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for your luggage is included, however, you will be walking from accommodation to accommodation yourself. 1 Boat trip from Melk to Krems is included. Please note that some public transport transfers will be required that are not included in this tour.

Also Included

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Not included

  • Flights to and from Vienna
  • Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Transfers to and from the trailhead

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades
  • Optional activities or excursions

Frequently Asked Questions about World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour

Is this tour for me?

We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You walk mainly on good trails and some paved vineyard paths. Depending on the route, you can make the stages more comfortable or more challenging. The peaks in the Wachau region are not high, but steep in places. Surefootedness therefore is required in some places.

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