Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen

Description

The stage from Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen is one of the most scenic sections of the Welterbesteig Wachau trail and combines striking cultural monuments with impressive natural landscapes. From Dürnstein, the trail leads uphill to the widely known Dürnstein Castle ruins, one of Austria’s most important landmarks. Through a varied landscape of forests and rocks, the route continues past the Starhembergwarte and the Fesslhütte to the Kanzel, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Wachau, offering sweeping views over the Danube Valley.

Opposite, on the northern side of the Danube, lies the Pritzenau, a special nature reserve with a revitalised oxbow lake that impressively reflects the ecological diversity of the river landscape. The trail continues through picturesque vineyards and renowned vineyard sites such as Achleiten and Klaus, accompanied throughout by impressive views of the Danube. The destination of the stage is the traditional wine-growing village of Weißenkirchen, whose distinctive fortified church shapes the townscape and provides a fitting conclusion to this culturally and scenically rich hike.

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

Dürnstein, old town

Destination point of the tour

Weißenkirchen, marketplace

Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 02: Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen

The hike begins in the picturesque old town of Dürnstein. Just behind the Kremser Tor, the route follows the old Eselsteig. A demonstration garden dedicated to Wachau saffron is located there. Via the old supply route with its stone steps within the town walls, the trail leads to the Dürnstein Castle ruins, which served as a prison for King Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. The ruins are left through the northern castle gate and the trail enters a bizarre rocky and forested landscape. The route leads through partly untouched oak and pine forests and passes the so-called Schlösschen, the ruined outer bailey of the castle. After a steep ascent, the summit of the Schlossberg with the Starhembergwarte is reached. Five minutes later, the Fesslhütte (stamping station) follows, offering an ideal place for a relaxing rest. This is where the high-level trail to Weißenkirchen begins, repeatedly offering fantastic views of the surrounding area. After 5–10 minutes, the Vogelbergsteig is crossed. Here, a detour to the left to the Dürnsteiner Kanzel is worthwhile, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Wachau with views over the Danube Valley and old natural oak forests (approx. 10-minute access path). Back at the junction, the route continues to the right, then takes the first junction to the left and descends in a loop. After passing a barrier, the route turns left and descends along a narrow path. A first wider forest road is reached; here the route goes left and then right three times in succession. This high-level trail now follows an easy-to-walk forest road to the remote hamlet of Schildhütten with the Pomaßl winery and Heuriger (stamping station). At the last house, the route turns right into the vineyards. Passing old abandoned vineyards and crumbling stone terraces, the Klaus and Achleiten vineyards are finally reached. Uphill to the right lies the Achleiten vineyard with a collection of old and rare grape varieties (traditional single-vine cultivation). Via the so-called Panoramaweg Achleiten, the hike leads through the vineyards into the Weitenberg district of Weißenkirchen. There, the route turns left onto a narrow footpath and continues into the old town of Weißenkirchen. Via the historic Kirchensteig, the trail leads to the fortified church and through the wooden staircase to the market square of Weißenkirchen with the magnificent Renaissance building Teisenhoferhof, where the stage ends.