Wachau World Heritage Trail 14: Mautern-Krems

Description

Welterbesteig Wachau: From Mautern to Krems

The stage from Mautern to Krems is a short hike shaped by cultural history and connects two traditional towns on the Danube. The trail leads through the medieval town of Stein and into the picturesque old town of Krems. Over approximately four kilometres, art, churches and historic buildings accompany this section of the Welterbesteig Wachau.

Through impressive town gates and across historic squares, the route leads to the Gothic Gozzoburg at Hoher Markt in Krems, the most important Gothic town castle north of the Alps. Along the Kunstmeile Krems, a wide range of cultural attractions can also be discovered, including Kunsthalle Krems, the Karikaturmuseum Krems and the Lower Austrian State Gallery.

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

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, pass under the white archway and walk along the wall of the Roman fort Favianis toward the Danube. Passing the Römerhalle on the right, the path leads past Mautern Castle, turns left at the roundabout, and crosses the imposing Danube Bridge. On the north bank of the river, the trail turns right through the Linzer Tor into the medieval town of Stein. Follow Steiner Landstraße; turn left at the first intersection and then immediately left again onto Hintere Fahrstraße (stamp station: Weingut und wine tavern Fam. Stagård, Hintere Fahrstraße 3). Here you can take a nice break at one of the wine taverns. The road leads up to the Frauenberg, where you turn right toward the Frauenberg Church. From here, the view sweeps across picturesque Stein all the way to Mautern and Göttweig Abbey.

Cross through the church and head back down the Frauenbergstiege to Steiner Landstraße. Continuing to the left, the route passes the Minoritenkloster, where the Art Mile begins. Pass through the Kremser Tor to leave Stein behind and enter the world of the arts. The Kunsthalle, the Cartoon Museum, and the Lower Austrian Literature House are all along the way until you reach the Stein Correctional Facility. Follow Schillerstraße past the monastery and on to the Krems City Park. Here, turn left and go through the Steiner Tor into the Old Town. At the other end of the pedestrian zone, you’ll reach the daily market; there, turn left and head up to the parish church on Pfarrplatz. Turn right and walk uphill along Margarethenstraße; shortly thereafter, you’ll reach today’s destination at the Hoher Markt.