Autumnal Hiking in the Wachau

Along the route there are a large variety of castles and ruins, numerous monasteries and pilgrimage sites as well as medieval towns and Roman settlements. This meant that the walks were rich in culture! I had many entertaining journeys on nostalgic cable ferries that work with the current and use no electricity as well as rides on wooden boats upon which I crossed the blue river many times. My departure on the large Danube boat really made this trip unforgettable. This UNESCO region with its blue river is particularly wonderful in Autumn. This is when the Summer is over and the large groups of tourists are gone. But whilst these things no longer remain, what does remain is great - the charming colours of the vineyards and the forests, pleasantly mild temperatures and paths seemingly to oneself...

It is well worth stopping off at a local wine tavern owned by one of the wineries. At the winegrowers’ snack stations they serve their own wine. What you can only get in Autumn though is the so called ‘storm’. This is young, sweet wine that is fresh from the first grapes of the year. You can get this unfiltered and slightly alcoholic drink directly from the vineyards, from a wine tavern, or in the field. Make sure you take some change with you: often you go past self-service stalls where there is apricot jam, wine, ‘storm’, juice, apples… the Autumn really does bring the harvest of the fruit and the wine. Whilst elsewhere in the Alps the first onset of winter can cause difficulties for planned walks, this isn’t the case in the Wachau as the climate remains suitable for walking for much longer. Even when it is windy or raining I still enjoy these walks… and those who move don’t freeze! Once you then arrive at your accommodation, it always feels really cosy and the feeling is amazing after being outside all day. All that is then left is to go and really enjoy your dinner.