Overview
When it comes to walking in Austria, the Wachau Wine Region is hard to beat. It’s packed with secluded wine-producing villages with pastel-coloured houses scattered among rolling hills clad with vineyards, wild forests and apricot orchards. This beautifully meandering stretch of the Danube is a hidden gem, full of imposing fortresses, monasteries and abbeys. You will discover an enchanting river valley landscape, lush vineyards and countless cultural sites. The wines of the Wachau Valley will delight and surprise you.
- Idyllic vineyards
- Discover the Danube high up along ridges of mountains
- Culinary highlights
- Wachau wine-producing villages
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Krems
Today you arrive in Krems on your own. Krems is easily reachable from Vienna by train.
- Accommodation: Hotel Unter den Linden or similar
Day 2: Krems to Dürnstein | 12km
You start the day walking up through the vineyards to a tower with a view over the Danube, Krems and the magnificent monastery of Göttweig. Then you cross the hills to the cosy Fessl hut and reach the Dürnstein ruins on a scenic trail before reaching the Danube banks.
- Accommodation: Hotel Sänger Blondel or similar
- Walking for the day: approx. 4,5h, 12km, ↑510m ↓500m
Day 3: Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen | 16km
Today you take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz, continuing your walk through the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optional walk along the Danube through orchard fields.
- Accommodation: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof or similar
- Walking for the day: approx. 5h, 16km, ↑480m ↓480m
Day 4: Rest day in Weißenkirchen | 4km
Today you can relax, enjoying the region’s historic sites, such as the mighty Gothic parish church of Weißenkirchen, surrounded by lush vineyards and green forests. You can also explore the wine-growing villages: Joching, Wösendorf and St. Michael forming together with Weißenkirchen, the biggest wine grower community of the Wachau region. You can also visit museums, take in beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on the Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the local taverns.
- Accommodation: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof or similar
- Walking for the day: approx. 2h, 4km, ↑100m ↓100m
Day 5: Weißenkirchen to Spitz | 12km
Leaving Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, you pass by picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform offers stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous winegrower community Spitz an der Donau.
- Accommodation: Fühstückspension Haus or similar
- Walking for the day: approx. 4 to 5h, 12km, ↑600m ↓600m
Day 6: Spitz to Melk | 15km
Today you cross the Danube by ferry to Maria Langeg, from where you follow the St. Jacob’s trail to the Aggsbach ruins. Visit the fortress with scenic views across the Danube valley and stop for a snack. Walk down to Aggsbach, where you take the bus to Melk.
- Accommodation: Hotel Wachauerhof Melk or similar
- Walking for the day: approx. 4,5 to 5,5h, 15km, ↑640m ↓640m
Day 7: Melk to Krems
You can visit the impressive monastery with its beautiful grounds before you board the Danube boat taking you on a picturesque trip back to Krems.
- Accommodation:Hotel Unter den Linden or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure or extension upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Mostly 3-star country hotels and some 4-star hotels. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel from the ones pictured above is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view the optional upgraded hotels
Krems: Steigenberger Hotel & Spa 4****: Just like in paradise: The Hotel ‚Steigenberger’ spoils its guests with comfort in a totally relaxing atmosphere. High above Krems, surrounded by idyllic vines, you are presented a sterling country style, the highest comfort, an excellent cuisine and an on-site wellness area with pool. The elegant restaurant and the comfortable wine bar offer specialities from the Wachau. www.steigenberger.at
Dürnstein: Gartenhotel Pfeffel 4****: The family run hotel ‚Gartenhotel Pfeffel’ is located between vineyards and has a wonderful view of the Danube. One of the highlights of the hotel is the modern panorama wellness and spa area with pool and sauna. Furthermore, relish an exquisite dinner made of home grown products from the garden and enjoy the wines from the family vineyard estate. www.pfeffel.at
Weißenkirchen: Raffelsberger Hof 4****: The former ‚Schiffsmeisterhaus’ dating back to 1573 was lovingly renovated and equipped with numerous antiques and original handicraft. The Boutique hotel ‚Raffelsberger Hof’ combines the architectonic remnants of the late Renaissance with the high demands of the modern hotel business. You spend the night in elegantly furnished rooms and start the day with a delightful breakfast in the Baroque breakfast room. www.raffelsbergerhof.at
Spitz: Gasthof Prankl 3***: The family-run inn Prankl presents itself welcoming and traditional, renovated with great attention to detail. In earlier times, the historic building served as a rest stop for boats men, today you will find heartfully decorated and furnished rooms, an award-winning restaurant, always accompanied by a gorgeous view of the Danube. Relax on the sun loungers in the garden and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel terrace on sunny days with a great view. www.gasthof-prankl.at
Melk: Hotel Post 4****: In the heart of Melk a long-standing family business awaits reflecting the love for the region in local delicacies of an award-winning cuisine, the interior and the hospitality. Enjoy one evening in the historic wine cellar, dwell in the romantic arcade court and recover and relax in one of the comfortable rooms with elegant interior. Your hosts invite you to allow yourself to be pampered and inspired all around. www.post-melk.at
Compliment: 4-course gourmet menu accompanied by carefully chosen wines from the own vineyard estate in the hotel ‚Gartenhotel Pfeffel’.
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel from the ones pictured above is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included each day. There is also an option to book a half-board supplement (see the booking/availability menu above for exact pricing) adding a three-course meal each evening.
Difficulty and terrain
During the week you will walk mainly on well-maintained trails and some paved vineyard paths. Depending on the route, you can make the stages more leisurely or more challenging. The peaks in the Wachau region are not high, but steep in places so you will have to be careful in some sections. The walk offers a perfect blend of nature, culture and culinary delights. Daily walking times are not more than 5 hours (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from early April until mid-October.
The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival/departure airport for this holiday is Vienna Airport.
By train or bus
- There are regular train lines from Vienna to Krems. A boat return transfer to the starting point is included in the price.
- Our recommended arrival/departure airport for this holiday is Vienna Airport.
- Parking options: Partly chargeable spaces at the hotel in Krems for approx. EUR 40 per week or in close vicinity for approx. EUR 50 per week. A reservation is not necessary.
- Airport transfers by public transport (train) are recommended for this trip, as they are much cheaper and faster compared to car transfers.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays in 3 and 4-star hotels, breakfast included
- Luggage transfers on all walking days
- 1 wine tasting
- Boat cruise from Melk back to Krems on Day 7
- Detailed route notes
- Welcome briefing by our local representative
- GPS-data to use via our smartphone app
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- 3 x ferry crossings Danube and bus fare from Aggsdorf to Melk (approx.6 EUR pp)
- Tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Krems
- In Style hotel upgrade
Gallery
