Wachau World Heritage Trail 13: Unterbergern-Mautern

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau: From Oberbergern to Mautern

The stage from Oberbergern to Mautern impressively combines wine landscapes, cultural heritage and varied natural environments. From Unterbergern, the trail leads via the widely visible Göttweig Abbey and runs for around 13 kilometres through the characteristic wine-growing areas of the Wachau and the Kremstal. Numerous Heurigen wine taverns and sweeping views over the Danube Valley and the surrounding hilly landscapes accompany the route.

Through a diverse landscape of forests and meadows, the trail reaches the Am Giritzer plateau and continues into the impressive loess gorge of the Zellergraben. The destination of the stage is the historic Roman town of Mautern, whose long history of settlement forms a striking conclusion to this scenically and culturally rich section of the Welterbesteig Wachau.

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.

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

Unterbergern, town center

Destination point of the tour

Mautern, town hall square

Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 13: Unterbergern-Mautern

The stage begins in the center of Unterbergern. In town, several wine taverns invite you to stop for a cozy break. Follow the main street toward the southwest; after about 300 m, turn left and then immediately right. The path leads uphill, and at the next intersection, turn left. After a few minutes, you’ll reach the “Am Giritzer” plateau. Just before the model airplane field, turn right and continue on to a small wooded area and the Red Cross. There, the trail leads straight ahead to the rest area by the lime tree near Baumgarten, which offers a magnificent view of Krems, Stein, Mautern, and Göttweig Abbey.

Turn right and walk a short distance along the country road; at the next fork, turn left onto the Zeiling farm road. Follow this road to the end, then turn right at the main road. The path leads through the small Steinaweger wine cellar lane and, after about 150 m, turns left downhill toward Steinaweg. Once at the bottom, turn right and then left over a small bridge to the Steinaweg Chapel. After crossing another small bridge over the Fladnitz Stream, the ascent begins up the Göttweiger Berg toward the abbey. After crossing the railroad tracks, the trail continues uphill. The trail leads through an untouched grove of hornbeams, oaks, and pines up to Göttweig Abbey (stamp station), where you can stop for a bite to eat at the abbey restaurant.

The trail then descends steadily into the winegrowing village of Furth. At the train station, turn left and pass under the railroad tracks. At the second street after that, turn left onto Kargelmayer-Gasse and walk parallel to the Fladnitz stream (on your right). Cross the next bridge to reach the parish church of St. Wolfgang in Furth. Pass under the church and immediately turn left up the hill (St. Wolfgang Trail). You’ll reach the Further Kellergraben, lined with wine taverns, and the path turns right. At the next intersection, turn left and enter the “Lössschlucht” (loess gorge) known as Zellergraben. The loess cliffs are among the most impressive in the entire region and are designated as a natural monument. At the end of the gorge, you’ll reach the Zellerkreuz rest area, and the trail turns right onto Kellerweg, passing through the vineyards of Further and Mautern (Ried Silberbichl). At the end of Kellerweg, turn right and continue to the main road near the Mautern barracks. There, turn left, go through the roundabout, and follow the road to Mautern’s town hall square, where this stage ends.