Wachau
An enchanting Danube valley between the medieval towns of Melk and Krems. Wine has been cultivated and harvested on the steep slopes for centuries, and apricots blossom on the flat riverplain of the Danube. Surrounded by the forests of the Jauerling Nature Park and the Dunkelsteinerwald forest, the region also offers plenty of nature and tranquillity away from the cheerful wine taverns. Ruins, castles and abbeys bear witness to the importance of this cultural landscape, which was protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
2024
Hofarnsdorf - Rossatz
A Roman path takes me into the autumnal Kupfertal and further to the Dunkelsteinerwald with a stop at the Seekopf viewing tower. Downhill through the Steinige Ries.
Mühldorf – Spitz
An autumn hike up the Jauerling. Fantastic views of the Wachau and descent via the Hinterhaus Ruin to Spitz an der Donau.
Spitz – Mühldorf
I enjoy the fantastic panorama of the Spitzer Graben across emerald-green vineyards and look for the green lizard. Stage four of the World Heritage Trail.
Mühldorf – Maria Laach
This time I climb the Jauerling. Phew, a strenuous but rewarding fifth stage of the World Heritage Trail, which offers cooling and plenty of panoramic views.
Maria Laach – Emmersdorf
I reach the Danube again near Emmersdorf. The third stage of the Jauerling Circuit offers plenty of forest and a few gentle hills.
Melk – Aggsbach Dorf
A marvellous ninth stage of the World Heritage Trail in the Dunkelsteinerwald. Several highlights included: Melk Abbey, Schönbühel Castle, Melk old town.
Emmersdorf – Melk
Hiking on the flat, eighth stage of the World Heritage Trail in the Wachau to Melk Abbey through the Danube wetlands and crossing the Danube at Melk hydroelectric power station.
Aggsbach Markt – Emmersdorf
The seventh stage of the World Heritage Trail leads me over hills and forests from Aggsbach Markt to Emmersdorf. Including a view of Melk Abbey.
Spitz – Aggsbach Markt
The apricot trees are in bloom! A wonderful hike through the gardens during the apricot blossom in the Wachau on the first stage of the Jauerling circuit.
Maria Laach – Aggsbach Markt
The sixth stage of the Welterbsteig offers an easy descent to the Danube between Christmas tree plantations and lots of forest.
Aggsbach Markt – Maria Laach
The second stage of the Jauerling circuit takes me on a sunny winter's day from Aggsbach Markt via a short climb through the forest to Maria Laach.
2023
Autumnal Vogelbergsteig
Breathtaking, airy hike from Dürnstein via the Vogelbergsteig in autumnal splendour with a return via the Dürnstein ruins.
Mautern – Krems
A walk through the town. The short, 14th and final stage of the Wachau World Heritage Trail through the medieval towns of Krems, Stein and Mautern.
Krems – Dürnstein
The starting stage of the World Heritage Trail. Across autumnal vineyards, through the medieval old towns of Krems and Stein to Dürnstein. A wonderful start.
Aggsbach Dorf – Hofarnsdorf
Late autumn hike to the Christmas market at the Aggstein ruin, the Maria Langegg church and the Hoher Stein. One of the most beautiful tours in the Wachau.
Weißenkirchen – Spitz
Wow. A breathtaking hike on the third section of the World Heritage Trail. Autumnal forests and vineyards and magnificent panoramic views over the Danube valley.
Dürnstein – Weißenkirchen
The second stage of the Wachau World Heritage Trail takes me to the Dürnstein ruin and I enjoy the view of the Danube valley from the Dürnsteiner Kanzel.
Vineyards of Rossatz with Seekopf
An incredible panorama over the Wachau at the viewing tower on the Seekopf. Followed by a hike through the vineyards of Rossatz.