Welterbesteig Wachau im Winter 01: Krems-Dürnstein

From the Hoher Markt in Krems, with the Gozzoburg in the background, we head north toward the old Piarist monastery (now the Krems University of Applied Sciences) and its church, where a magnificent view of Krems’s old town awaits us. After the church, we turn right and then immediately left, heading downhill. We cross the old city moat and city wall and reach Alauntalstraße. Just a few meters further on, the Kreuzbergstiege—the most beautiful staircase on the World Heritage Trail—awaits us. Passing by old villas, we hike uphill toward Kreuzberg. At the end of the staircase, we turn left and enter the Ried Kögel and the Krems wine-growing region. A fantastic panoramic view awaits us.

The trail leads through the vineyards and down to the Krems University Campus. Down at the road, we turn right—with the university on our left—cross the street, and arrive at the Philosophensteig. Below the Steiner vineyards, we cross the Wachau Railway and reach the medieval Wiedentor (entrance to the Steiner vineyards). A few meters further on, we enter the Steiner wine cellar lane, lined with several wine taverns, and arrive at the Steiner Rebentor and the Frauenberg Church: a beautiful resting spot and viewpoint. Here, at the gate of the Mayr-Resch wine tavern, is the stamp station.

We continue along the wine cellar lane to the railroad tracks, walk down the steps, cross the street, and climb the stairs to the Stein Castle ruins and the Altenburg vineyard. Our path leads through the idyllic Steiner vineyards into the Förthofgraben. At a bend, we turn right and hike uphill to the Pfaffenberg, which marks the beginning of the Wachau wine-growing region. From here, we follow an old wine trail, pass the hamlet of Rothenhof, and enter the magnificent Loibenberg wine landscape with its stone terraces. On the Loibenweg wine trail, we hike through well-known vineyards such as Steinertal, Höhereck, and Kellerberg.

The summit areas of the Höhereck and the Kellerberg consist of species-rich dry grasslands and former pastures that are protected nature reserves. On the Kellerberg, we catch sight of the baroque Kellerschlößerl (the former pleasure palace of Dürnstein Abbey) and the Domäne Wachau. We leave the vineyards behind and enter a small, rugged landscape of rocks and woods. Following a narrow path, we reach the Dürnsteiner Kuhberg. Below it, we keep to the left and, after a few minutes, arrive at the Kremser Tor (also known as the Steiner Tor) and the historic district of Dürnstein.

Be sure to bring enough food; there are no rest stops along the way.

Wachau Mountain Rescue emergency number: 140

Take the A1 to the St. Pölten interchange, then continue on the S33 to Krems or on the B3 to Dürnstein.

Accessible by train and bus

These locations can be reached seven days a week by bus No. 715. It is possible to return to the starting point of the hike.

On the north bank of the Wachau, bus line 715 runs between Krems–Spitz–Melk and Melk–Spitz–Krems. www.vor.at It connects to the train in Krems and Melk.

In the parking garages in downtown Krems or in the paid parking lots outside Dürnstein. Please note the paid short-term parking system with zones in the downtown areas of Krems and Stein. For more information, visit the City of Krems website: www.krems.gv.at

Best of Wachau: You’ll find the most renowned and highly recommended restaurants and lodging options in the Wachau UNESCO World Hertige site at Best of Wachau.

For more information on places to eat and stay, visit www.wachau.at

Several restaurantsare open or have special winter menus during the winter months.

For easy and convenient tour planning, we recommend the Wachau-Nibelungengau-Krems Valley app. Simply download it for Android or iPhone.

Be sure to plan a visit to one of the venues along the Kunstmeile Krems, such as the Kunsthalle, the Cartoon Museum, or the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich.

Dürnstein Abbey is an exceptional example of Austrian Baroque architecture. The blue tower is the landmark of Dürnstein and the Wachau region.