Hikes & Walks
WORLD HERITAGE TRAIL
The Wachau World Heritage Trail is a 180 km long long-distance hiking trail leading along the most beautiful hiking paths along historic trails. It encircles 20 castles, ruins and palaces, the Wachau wine-growing region, characterised by stone terraces and steep vineyards, three monasteries and the 960 m high Jauerling, the highest mountain on the Danube.
The trail is divided into 14 stages and can be hiked in both directions. The Jauerling circuit with 90 km and seven stages as well as three ferry connections offer several variations and individual design options. The many return options by bus or train make it possible to hike individual sections. The sections between Spitz and Dürnstein are particularly beautiful.
Info at www.donau.com in the “Excursion and Movement” section
Way of St. James
A part of the Austrian Way of St. James leads through the Wachau.
The start is at Göttweig Abbey, the route leads well marked (with the scallop shell) along the south bank of the Danube in 2 day stages to Melk Abbey.
Overnight accommodation is available at the Maria Langegg Monastery in the Dunkelsteiner Forest (very easy).
Tip: there are relatively few places to stop along the way, so plenty of water and provisions are recommended. The Way of St. James is marked on the Wachau hiking map.
Info at www.donau.com in the “Excursion and Movement” section
DÜRNSTEIN - VOGELBERGSTEIG
Danube north bank. The trail offers beautiful views over the valley, but is quite steep in parts, and there are safety ropes in places. Not suitable for small children. Start of the ascent to the ruins inside the city wall, just after the city gate. From the ruins, the trail continues to the Starhembergwarte and also to the Fesselhütte. Follow the Vogelbergsteig trail back to the town.
Stop for refreshments at the Fesselhütte (April to the end of October, closed on Mondays).
Walking time: approx. 3 -4 hours
KUPFERTAL - ARNSDORF
Danube south bank, opposite St.Michael. Starting point Bacharnsdorf. Parking near the football pitch. The hike starts on a narrow road with blue markings.
Walking time: approx. 2 hours
FERDINANDSWARTE
Danube south bank. Offers an incredible view of Dürnstein and Loiben. Starting point Mauternbach, parking in the square in front of the Heurigen Graf.
STILLENSTEINKLAMMM
Danube north bank, approx. 60 km upstream. The hike starts at the town square of Grein (very interesting to look at: the old town theatre and the Café Blumensträußerl with original Biedermeier furnishings) and is marked with the signs "Weg 7" and "Weg 9". After about 3 km you reach the actual entrance to Klamm. The hike leads past huge granite boulders, small waterfalls and cascades. An overhanging rock forms a roof over the "Steinernen Stube", the stream is hidden deep under the boulders, hence the name "Stiller Stein". A little further up, the water gurgles on the surface again and it is worth following it to a small reservoir. You leave the gorge and come to the Aumühle inn on a forest path. Hiking trail no. 7 leads back to Grein.
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
YSPERKLAMM
Danube north bank, approx. 60 km upstream. The starting point of the Ysperklamm hike is at the large car park at the end of the access road to the Ysperklamm. The Ysperklamm is the largest and most worth seeing gorge in Lower Austria. The water falls 300m deep over numerous waterfalls along a length of 1200m. The gorge served as a transport route for felled tree trunks. These were thrown into the Ödteich, at a certain point the water was drained from the pond by pulling a spigot and the wood was floated down the Great Ysper to Ysperdorf. The dam at the Ödteich broke in 1956 and was not repaired afterwards. Ascent through the gorge, the way back is via a forest path.
Walking time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Information at www.ysperklamm.info
Golf
There are 4 golf courses in the closer vicinity:
Wachau Golf Club
3672 Maria Taferl 43
around 40 minutes travel time
www.golfclubwachau.at
Ottenstein Golf Club
3532 Rastenfeld, Niedergrünbach 60
around 35 minutes driving time
www.golfclub-ottenstein.at
Atzenbrugg Golf Club
3452 Atzenbrugg, on the golf course 1,
around 50 minutes travel time
www.countryclub.at
Golf Club Lengenfeld
3552 Lengenfeld, on the golf course 1,
around 40 minutes travel time
www.golflengenfeld.at
Exhibitions
KREMS ART MILE
8 galleries and museums - including the newly opened Lower Austria State Gallery, within walking distance
www.kunstmeile.at
SCHALLABURG NEAR MELK
Annually changing exhibitions worth seeing in a Renaissance castle
MARITIME MUSEUM SPITZ
In the baroque former reading room of Niederaltaich Abbey, the history of navigation on the Danube is presented, from Roman times to the present day.
www.schifffahrtsmuseum-spitz.at
MUSEUMKREMS
Housed in the former Dominican monastery in the middle of Krems' old town, this museum displays exhibits from the city's eventful history.
Palaces, castles and gardens
ROSENBURG
Renaissance castle located in the Kamptal. Falconry demonstrations.
The Rosenburg also offers a variety of special events such as an Easter market, the Historic Castle Hustle and Bustle or the Garden and Rose Days.
Dates at: www.rosenburg.at
SCHLOSS GRAFENEGG
Located east of Krems in the middle of a 19th century landscape park.
SCHILTERN CASTLE
Noah's Ark: A living archive in the garden of Schiltern Castle!
Over 500 almost lost cultivated plants (vegetables, herbs, field crops and fruit) are grown and propagated in a baroque garden setting. There is also a plant market on the grounds.
BURG RAPPOTTENSTEIN
The very impressive castle complex was an important part of the chain of fortifications running along the river Kamp. The castle was never taken.
SCHLOSS WALPERSDORF
Renaissance castle near the small town of Herzogenburg.
For several years now, the Lederleitner Home company has been showing and selling
furniture, decoration and art in a very appealing ambience.
SCHLOSS GREILLENSTEIN
Renaissance castle with, among other things, a historical courtroom and a collection of Baroque garden sculptures (garden gnomes). A guided tour is recommended.
ARTSTETTEN CASTLE
Museum dedicated to the history of the heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 led to the start of the First World War.
The museum is run by his descendants and displays a whole range of very personal memorabilia.
BURG AGGSTEIN
The oldest parts of the mighty castle on the south bank of the Danube date from the 11th/12th century. The castle is the setting for one of the famous Danube sagas.
Visits are possible individually or as part of a guided tour. Refreshments are available in the cosy castle tavern.