Description
Wachau World Heritage Trail: From Mautern to Krems
The short but enjoyable hike from Mautern takes us through the medieval town of Stein to the picturesque old town of Krems. Art and churches accompany us on the approximately 4 km long route. Through impressive city gates and over historic squares, we follow our path to the Gothic Gozzoburg in Krems.
The Gozzoburg, the most important Gothic city castle north of the Alps, is directly located at the Hoher Markt and can be visited as part of a guided tour: www.weinstadtmuseum.at At the Kunstmeile Krems you can expect among other things the Kunsthalle Krems, the Caricature Museum, the Lower Austrian State Gallery, and much more:
Starting point of the tour
Mautern, Town Hall Square
Destination point of the tour
Krems, Hoher Markt
Route description Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems
At the town hall in Mautern, we pass under the white archway and walk along the wall of the Roman fort Favianis towards the Danube. On the right, past the Roman hall, we pass Mautern Castle, turn left at the roundabout and cross the impressive Danube bridge. On the northern bank of the river, our path leads right through the Linzer Gate into the medieval town of Stein. We follow Steiner Landstraße, keep left at the first intersection, and then shortly afterward turn left into Hintere Fahrstraße (stamp station at the winery and Heurigen Fam. Stagård, Hintere Fahrstraße 3). Here we can take a nice break at one of the Heurigen. The street leads up to Frauenberg, where we turn right towards Frauenberg Church. From here our view stretches over the picturesque Stein to Mautern and Göttweig Abbey.
We pass through the church and descend again via the Frauenberg stairs to Steiner Landstraße. Our path continues left past the Minorite monastery, where the art mile begins. We leave Stein through the Kremser Gate and enter the world of the arts. The Kunsthalle, the caricature museum, and the Lower Austrian literature house lie on our path until we reach Stein prison. We follow Schillerstraße past the monastery to Kremser City Park. Here we keep left and walk through the Steiner Gate into the old town. At the other end of the pedestrian zone, we reach the daily market, turn left, and walk up to the parish church at Parish Square. Turning right uphill through Margarethenstraße, we soon reach our stage destination at Hoher Markt.
Directions
A1 to St. Pölten junction, continue on S33 to Mautern or Krems
Parking
At the Roman hall in Mautern or in the parking garages of the Kremser city center. Please note the paid short-term parking system with zones in the city centers of Krems and Stein. More information can be found on the website of the city of Krems http://www.krems.gv.at/
The places are accessible by public transport seven days a week. Returning to the starting point of the hike is possible.
Mautern and Krems are connected by bus line 720 Krems-Rossatz-Melk or Melk-Rossatz-Krems. On the northern bank of the Wachau, buses of line 715 Krems-Spitz-Melk or Melk-Spitz-Krems run. Information at www.vor.at
Bike rental stations by Nextbike are located in Mautern and Krems, www.nextbike.at
Author's tip
The old towns of Krems and Stein are unique ensembles of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The Wachau World Heritage Trail gives you a line through the old towns, but feel free to wander through the alleys and winding quarters – every corner, every staircase is worth a detour.
