Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein

Description

The stage from Krems to Dürnstein leads through one of the most impressive cultural landscapes of the Wachau and combines urban heritage with viticulture, nature reserves and distinctive viewpoints. The starting point is Hoher Markt with the historic Gozzoburg in Krems. Passing the Piarist Church, the route opens up via the Kreuzbergstiege into the vineyards of Krems, where expansive views over the Danube Valley and the surrounding vineyard sites define the scenic appeal.

Through the historic old town of Stein and the characteristic wine landscape of Stein with its castle ruins, the route continues eastwards along old wine paths. Via the Pfaffenberg, the actual wine-growing area of the Wachau is reached, with the impressive Loibenberg vineyard forming a scenic highlight. The Höhereck and Kellerberg nature reserves showcase the region’s special ecological diversity before a fascinating rocky and forested landscape with old pine and oak stands opens up below the Dürnstein Castle ruins. Via the panoramic Kuhberg, the trail finally leads down to the Kremser Tor and into the historic centre of Dürnstein.

While hiking on the Welterbesteig Wachau, it becomes clear step by step why the Wachau has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage region. Along carefully curated World Heritage Spots, the defining World Heritage Highlights become visible – the interplay of the historic cultural landscape, traditional viticulture, exceptional natural areas and the Danube as a formative element.

For an all-round carefree experience, including luggage transport, tastings and transfer services, booking one of the varied hiking packages is recommended.

Thanks to good rail connections, relaxed and sustainable travel to the Wachau is easy. Within the region, a dense network of public transport ensures that all stages can be conveniently reached by bus, train, ferry and boat. This also makes it very easy to combine different stages.

The Welterbesteig Wachau has also been awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. This certification stands for high quality standards in route layout, signage, safety and infrastructure and confirms the Welterbesteig as a reliable and high-quality hiking experience in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Starting point of the tour

Krems, Hoher Markt (High market)

Destination point of the tour

Dürnstein, Altstadt („old part of town“)

Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 01: Krems - Dürnstein

At Hoher Markt in Krems with the Gozzoburg, the route heads northwards to the old Piarist monastery (today the University of Applied Sciences Krems) and its church, where a magnificent view over the old town of Krems awaits. After the church, the route goes right and immediately left downhill. The old town moat with the city wall is crossed and Alauntalstraße is reached. Only a few metres later, the Kreuzbergstiege, the most beautiful staircase on the Welterbesteig, awaits. Passing old villas, the trail leads uphill towards Kreuzberg. At the end of the staircase, the route turns left and continues into the Kögel vineyard and the Krems wine landscape. A fantastic panoramic view awaits hikers.

The trail leads through the vineyards and down to the Krems University Campus. At the road below, the route turns right – with the university on the left – crosses the road and continues to the Philosophensteig. Below the Stein vineyards, the Wachaubahn railway is crossed and the medieval Wiedentor (access to the Stein vineyards) is reached. A few metres further on, the route leads into the Stein cellar lane with several Heurigen wine taverns and on to the Steiner Rebentor and the Frauenbergkirche: a beautiful resting place and viewpoint. The stamping station is located here at the gate of the Mayr-Resch Heuriger.

The route continues along the cellar lane to the railway, down the steps, across the road and up the staircase to the Stein castle ruins and the Altenburg vineyard. The trail leads through the idyllic Stein vineyards into the Förthofgraben. At a bend, the route heads right uphill to the Pfaffenberg, which marks the beginning of the Wachau wine-growing area. From here, the route follows an old wine path, passes the hamlet of Rothenhof and leads into the magnificent Loibenberg wine landscape with its stone terraces. Along the Loibenweg wine trail, the hike passes through well-known vineyards such as Steinertal, Höhereck and Kellerberg.

The summit areas of Höhereck and Kellerberg are species-rich dry grasslands and former pastures that are protected as nature reserves. These dry habitats are home to, for example, rare orchids, praying mantises and the famous feather grass. At Kellerberg, the view opens up to the Baroque Kellerschlößerl (former pleasure palace of Dürnstein Abbey) and Domäne Wachau. The vineyards are left behind and the trail leads into a small, bizarre rocky and forest landscape. A narrow path leads to the Dürnstein Kuhberg. Below it, the route continues to the left and reaches the old town of Dürnstein after a few minutes.