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
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World Heritage Trail Wachau Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Krems
Discover Krems and get comfortable in your hotel!
Overnight Location: Unter den Linden 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: Sänger Blondel 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 Kirchenwirt 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 Kirchenwirt in Weißenkirchen
Distance: 4km, ascend 100m, descend 100m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Discover Spitz
Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep, to Buschandlwand, where an observation platform allows stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous wine grower community Spitz an der Donau.
Overnight Location: Goldenens Schiff in Spitz
Distance: 12km, ascend 600m, descend 600m
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 Restaurant Zur Post 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: Unter den Linden 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
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.
2023 Departures:
The departures are available daily, from April 1st to September 10th, 2023.
- Single room: from $1,125 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $875 USD*
2024 Departures:
The departures are available daily, from March 23rd to September 8th, 2024.
- Single room: from $1,225 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $950 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.
Book NowAccommodation 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
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