The blue Danube is a little bit more beautiful in the Wachau than anywhere else. The gentle climate and steep slopes are ideal for growing grapes and fruit. Our hiking week follows the tracks of the long-distance hiking trail World Heritage Trail Wachau along the mountain ranges of the Danube valley. On the varied hiking routes you will enjoy fantastic views of one of Austria's oldest cultural landscapes with its characteristic wine terraces, apricot orchards and the imposing Danube river in the valley. Past craggy rocks, numerous lookout points and over gentle hills you hike through fragrant vineyards. The small villages in the Wachau are particularly beautiful and inviting, offering not only wine but also the famous apricot pancakes as a pure delight.
All information and further tour tips for your hiking holidays on the Danube here.
Your five-day short hiking holiday on the World Heritage Trail Wachau begins in the city of Krems in Lower Austria. The first stage leads you straight through the picturesque vineyards with impressive views of the beautiful Danube. After a relaxing overnight stay in Dürnstein, the trail continues past Austria's largest apricot growing area to Weißenkirchen. The following and last hiking stage also has impressive views in store for you: On the route to Spitz, a fabulous panoramic view awaits you on the Buschandlwand, which will remain in your memory for a long time. For the crowning finale, you will take the ferry from Spitz back to Krems, where you may conclude your short hiking holiday.
Picturesque vineyards: The beautiful route leads you over vineyard paths and offers dreamy views of the picturesque vineyards and over the apricot orchards of the Wachau.
Tastes of the Wachau: The Wachau offers not only delicious wine of the region, but is also home to the wonderful Wachau apricots, which can be enjoyed in many ways: as sweet jam, fruit nectar, vinegar, liqueur, schnapps, frizzante or simply pure as fruit.
Boat tour on the Donau: A special highlight at the end of your five-day hiking tour is the boat ride from Spitz to Krems. From the ferry you can relax and review the impressions of your hiking tours and enjoy the surrounding landscapes.
Our hiking tour on the World Heritage Trail Wachau is assigned to our hiking level of hiking ‘walking’ and the daily stages are planned to take about four to five hours. The flexible route allows you to make your stage more leisurely or a little more challenging, as you wish. With a good basic level of fitness, this short hiking holiday is guaranteed to be an unforgettable time in the Wachau region. You can experience even more enjoyment and comfort on our hiking tour World Heritage Trail Wachau with Charm.
Our tip: Due to the good route and trail conditions, this hiking tour is also wonderfully suitable for hiking holidays with a dog.
Itinerary at a glance
Whether from the Danube boat or the ruin Dürnstein, this tour offers a variety of views. The Wachau is characterized by fruit growing - so enjoy the culinary delights from apricot jam to Pinot Blanc.
Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with a view over the ‘blue’ river Danube, the city Krems and the magnificent monastery Göttweig. Cross the hills to the cozy Fesslhütte and reach the Dürnstein ruins on a trail with great views before reaching the banks of the Danube.
Take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz. Continue past the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optional take a walk along Danube through orchards to the ferry.
Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform allows stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous wine grower community Spitz an der Donau.
Return journey from Spitz to Krems by boat, departure in the early morning or in the late afternoon, included in the price.
Itinerary at a glance
Whether from the Danube boat or the ruin Dürnstein, this tour offers a variety of views. The Wachau is characterized by fruit growing - so enjoy the culinary delights from apricot jam to Pinot Blanc.
Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with a view over the ‘blue’ river Danube, the city Krems and the magnificent monastery Göttweig. Cross the hills to the cozy Fesslhütte and reach the Dürnstein ruins on a trail with great views before reaching the banks of the Danube.
Take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz. Continue past the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optional take a walk along Danube through orchards to the ferry.
The wine trail leads you out of Weißenkirchen, past small cellar alleys and up into the unique wine landscape high above the Danube. On the World Heritage Trail, you hike through the heart of the Wachau. At the landmark of Spitz, the “Red Gate”, you descend into the famous wine village beside the Danube.
You walk mainly on good trails and some paved vineyard paths. Depending on the route, you can make the stages more comfortable or more challenging. The peaks in the Wachau region are not high, but steep in places. Surefootedness therefore is required in some places. This week offers a perfect blend of nature, culture and culinary delight.
Prices & Dates
Prices per person in EUR
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accomodation in 3-star and 4-star hotels and country hotels
Breakfast
Luggage transfer
1 Boat trip from Spitz to Krems*
1 Wine tasting (German, English)
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
App for Navigation and GPS-Data
Service hotline
* Boat cruise is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.
Arrival / Parking / Departure
By train from Vienna to Krems and a few minutes walk to the starting hotel.
Vienna airport.
Parking: Partly chargeable hotel parking spaces approx. EUR 40 per week. Sufficient public parking spaces near the hotels for approx. EUR 50 per week, no pre-booking.
Things to note
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
2x ferry crossings Danube, approx. EUR 6 per person
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accomodation in 3***-hotels, and 4****-hotels and country hotels
Breakfast
Luggage transfer
1 Boat trip from Spitz to Krems*
1 Wine tasting (German, English)
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
App for Navigation and GPS-Data
Servicehotline
* Boat cruise is only possible starting from mid-April, bus ride as an alternative.
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Train journey from Vienna to Krems and a few minutes walk to the starting hotel.
Vienna airport.
Parking: Hotel parking garage approx. EUR 20 to EUR 40 per week, public parking spaces approx. EUR 6 per day.
Things to note
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
2x ferry crossings Danube, approx. EUR 10 per person
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.
We wish you a relaxing Christmas and a happy new year and a healthy and active 2025! PS: Book now until 28 February and benefit from our early booking discount!