Walking Trail Self-guided Wachau Charm World Heritage

Arrival in Melk

Welcome to Melk – the gateway to the Wachau – and one of the most beautiful towns on the Danube! Once you’ve arrived, there’ll be time for a leisurely stroll through the charming old town and to explore the impressive Melk Abbey. Enjoy your first views of the Danube, soak up the delightful atmosphere of the Wachau, and look forward to a variety of hiking days in the region

Melk – Spitz, 5hrs | 15km +710m -720m

From Melk, take the bus to Aggsbach. From there, the route leads uphill to the Aggsbach ruins, where the impressive observation towers and cozy places to stop for refreshments make it well worth a visit. You'll then follow the Way of St. James to Maria Langegg and through a sprawling forest down to the Danube, from where you'll take the ferry to Spitz

Spitz – Weissenkirchen 3hrs | 10km +490m -480

Starting in Spitz, you'll first ascend to the town’s landmark, the ‘Rotes Tor’ (Red Gate). Following the World Heritage Trail, you’ll walk through the heart of the Wachau and enjoy the unique wine-growing landscape high above the Danube. The route then leads downhill through the vineyards and past small alleys lined with wine cellars to Weissenkirchen

Day off in Weissenkirchen, ‘Wachauer Dolce Vita’

Surrounded by sunny vineyards and green forests the mighty gothic parish church of Weissenkirchen is a remarkable sight. Wine growing villages such as Joching, Wösendorf and St. Michael form together with Weissenkirchen the biggest wine grower community of the Wachau region. Visit museums, seize beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on the Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the wine taverns. Or do a short hike on the Achleiten circuit to stop by the winegrower!

Weissenkirchen – Durnstein 4hrs | 12km +600 -600m

From Weissenkirchen, you’ll first take the flying bridge to St. Lorenz, where your hike begins. There, you can choose either a short route through the orchards along the Danube or the scenic route via old roads up to the ‘Seekopf’. Along the main route, you’ll be treated to an impressive panoramic view stretching all the way to the Alps. The trail then leads through Austria’s largest apricot-growing region to Rossatz on the banks of the Danube, from where you’ll take a ferry to today’s destination, Dürnstein

Dürnstein – Krems 4hrs | 13km +480 -490

From the banks of the Danube, you’ll ascend a scenic path up to the ruins of Dürnstein. The route continues over a gentle range of hills to the viewing point and on to the cozy Fesslhütte. Along the way, enjoy magnificent views of the blue Danube, the town of Krems and the impressive Göttweig Abbey, before hiking down through the vineyards towards Krems.

Krems - Melk | 0.5hr 2km

In Krems, you should definitely visit the famous ‘Steiner Tor’ landmark and take a stroll through the historic old town before boarding the Danube cruise ship. On the way to Melk, you can reflect on your walking holiday and the highlights passing by – Dürnstein and Spitz with their vineyards

Departure or extension