Austria - Danube Wachau

Degree of difficulty - Moderate

There is no more beautiful country in our time...' an old popular folk song says. Well, no other landscape may take this folk song as literally as the Austrian Salzkammergut. It certainly belongs to one of the special treasures of this world. The uniqueness also was recognised by the UNESCO and the region Hallstatt was awarded the predicate of natural and cultural heritage. Some special gems only can be reached on foot, a treat on this walking tour. Relaxed walking on good walking trails. Daily distances up to 5 hours and the height difference is quite low. We presume that you are in good health and demand enough endurance for distances up to 15 km. Please note that some parts also may lead on small paths.

Day 1: Individual arrival at Krems / Stein A nice little town, easy to get there from Vienna by boat or train.

Day 2: High up into the vineyards and to the ruins of fortress Dürnstein Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with view on the blue Danube, the city Krems and impressing monastery Goettweig. Cross the hills to ruin Duernstein or take the picturesque Talgrabensteig via Talweg to Duernstein.
Details: approx. 4.5 hours | 12 km | 500 m 490 m.

Day 3: Walking Dürnstein – Weißenkirchen “Heart of Wachau” Take the ferry from Duernstein to Rossatz. Continue past the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optionally take a walk along the Danube through orchards to the ferry. In Weissenkirchen a theme trail leads through the vineyards.
Details: approx. 4.5 hours | 12 km | 500 m 490 m.

Day 4: Rest day in Weißenkirchen “Wachauer Dolce Vita” Surrounded by sunny vineyards and green forests the mighty gothic parish church of Weißenkirchen is a remarkable sight. The winegrower villages Joching, Woesendorf and St. Michael form together with Weißenkirchen the biggest wine grower community in Wachau. Visit museums, beautiful walking trails or take a boat tour on the Danube. Enjoy a glass of Wachauer wine in one of the wine taverns.

Day 5: Weißenkirchen - Spitz “Observation platform Buschandlwand” Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars to the climb up to Seiber. Walk through the forest at first quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform allows stunning panorama views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous winegrower community Spitz a der Donau.
Details: approx. 4 to 5 hours | 12 km | 520 m 550 m.

Day 6: Spitz - Melk “Ruin Aggsbach” Cross the Danube by ferry to Maria Langegg. Here you follow St. Jacob’s trail to ruin Aggsbach. Visit the fortress with scenic views across the Danube valley and stop for a snack. Down you walk to Aggsbach where you catch the coach to Melk.
Details: approx. 4.5 to 5.5 hours | 14 km | 570 m 550 m.

Day 7: Melk – Krems “Danube Cruise” Visit the impressive monastery with beautiful grounds before you board the Danube boat. During the cruise to Krems you pass the highlights of the week, see all the vineyards as well as Spitz and Durnstein.

Day 8: Departure Individual departure or additional nights

7 Night Tour self-led 2019
€530 per person sharing Season 1 (4 Apr - 19 May& 19 Aug - 8 Sept)
€580 per person sharing Season 2 (3 - 30 June & 9 - 22 Sept)
€630 per person sharing Season 3 (29 Apr – 2 June, 1 July – 18 Aug & 23 Sept - 12 Oct)

Single Supplement + €175
Half board supplement - €180 (optional)

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour can start any day from 6th April to 12th October 2019