Wine Trails in Krems: Unveiling the Three most captivating Routes for Wine Enthusiasts
Exploring Wine Hiking Trails in Krems, Austria
Krems, a picturesque town in lower Austria, is not only famous for its art culture but also for its winemaking tradition. The town, which is the white wine capital of Austria, offers a unique wine hiking experience that combines physical activity with wine tastings and cultural sites.
As Vienna's former mayor Michael Haüppl once said, "Man bringe den Spritzwein!" (Bring the sparkling wine!), and that's exactly what you can expect on these wine hiking trails.
The most beautiful wine hiking trail in and around Krems is the first stage of the Wachau World Heritage Trail from Krems to Dürnstein. This 12.5 km point-to-point hike offers spectacular views of the Danube River and steep terraced vineyards, passing historic sites such as the Dürnstein castle ruins and winding through wine cellar alleys in Stein and Krems. The trail is easy with gentle elevation and can be enjoyed year-round.
The tour starts at Hohen Markt in Krems. Route 1 takes you through the old town of Stein and heads towards the Wachau wine-growing region. Along the way, you'll see the Wachau Valley vineyards and medieval wine-growing villages, showcasing stone terraces and traditional wine culture.
For those seeking a more challenging hike, Route 2: Krems to Krems-Senftenberg is a medium difficulty trail with a distance of 10 km and a duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It showcases the green forests, vineyards, and small gardens of Waldviertel. This route also includes castle ruins such as Rehberg and Senftenberg, both of which are open all year round with free admission.
For a comprehensive wine hiking experience, STUWO Apartments Krems offers modern apartments for relaxation from the beginning of July to mid-September. The location is convenient, with access to the tour start in about 8 minutes by bike or 20 minutes on foot, and train arrival and departure is also possible at STUWO Krems.
Other trails like Vogelbergsteig, Seekopf, and Hirschwand near the Wachau Valley are also recommended for scenic vineyard hikes if you are spending more time in the area.
In the Krems vineyards, you will find mainly slate soils, which partly characterize Kremstal wines. These wines are known for their quick warming during the day and cool forest air at night due to the slate soils. Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are wines that should be tried in the Krems vineyards.
Route 3: Krems to Dürnstein is another easy wine hiking trail with a distance of 12.37 km and a duration of 4 hours and 40 minutes. It is suitable for culture lovers and includes historic districts, the Wachau Steinterrassen wine landscape, and the famous Dürnstein castle ruins.
So, if you're planning a trip to Austria and are a wine lover, Krems should definitely be on your list. Pack your hiking boots, bring your camera, and get ready to explore the beautiful wine hiking trails in Krems.
- embark on a journey that involves not just wine tastings and cultural exploration, but also food-and-drink experiences along the wine hiking trails in Krems, Austria.
- after a day of wine hiking, unwind in the modern apartments provided by STUWO Apartments Krems, which offer a great lifestyle for travelers seeking relaxation in the heart of the wine-growing region.