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Vogelbergsteig and Fesslhütte Hiking Trail, Dürnstein, Wachau, Austria

The Vogelbergsteig trail is a short circuit hike starting in Dürnstein in the Wachau Valley of Austria.

Highlights of this hike include the historic castle ruins of Dürnstein, the Fesslhütte mountain hut, the Kanzel viewpoint, and the partially secured Vogelbergsteig trail.

For a longer hiking excursion, you can combine the Vogelbergsteig with the Dürnstein to Krems Vineyard Walk.

Vogelbergsteig Fixed Cables, Wachau, Austria

Vogelbergsteig Hiking Map


How to Get to Dürnstein


Car

Dürnstein is a historic village on the Danube River. It’s located along the Donau Bundesstrasse between Krems an der Donau and Weißenkirchen in der Wachau.

The best place to park in Dürnstein is the paid P2 car park, just outside the old town.


Dürnstein P2 Car Park 

Location | Google Maps

Payment | Cards, cash, or the EasyPark app


Transit


Vienna to Krems by Train 

Take a direct REX Train from Wien Franz Josefs Bahnhof, Wien Spittelau or Wien Heiligenstadt to Krems. It takes around one hour to reach Krems.


Krems to Dürnstein by Bus

When you arrive in Krems, take bus 715 to Dürnstein.

The bus station is just outside the train station. When you exit the train station, turn left and head to the bus station. Take bus 715 to Dürnstein/Wachau Parkplatz P2 (17 Minutes) in the direction of Melk Bahnhof. You can buy your ticket from the bus driver.


Vogelbergsteig Trail Description


Dürnstein P2 Car Park / Bus Stop to Dürnstein Castle Ruins (25 minutes)

Dürnstein Bus Stop to Dürnstein Old Town Road, Wachau, Austria

Walk through the underpass to the old town of Dürnstein. 

Shortly after the Kremser Tor gate, turn right to Burgruine Dürnstein, signed 20 minutes.

The Eselsteig (Donkey Trail) steadily ascends. Along the way, there are delightful views of the Danube and Dürnstein Abbey. 

Dürnstein Eselsteig, Wachau Valley, Austria

A series of steps bring you to the base of the Dürnstein castle ruins.

The castle was built in the mid 12th century. It’s a famous landmark, because King Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner here in 1192, after being captured on his way home from the Third Crusade. 


Dürnstein Castle Ruins to Fesslhütte (40-50 minutes)

Castle Ruins, Dürnstein to Fesslhütte Trail, Austria

The path to Fesslhütte bypasses the castle ruins. 

When the trail to the castle ruins branches off to the right, continue straight. Soon you’ll walk through a stone arch. Just beyond the arch, there’s a trail sign to Fesslhütte nailed to a tree. 

Follow the green-white painted waymarks. 

The trail leads through a mixed forest to a viewpoint overlooking the Danube and castle. 

Continue ascending, passing some rock walls and rock towers. 

At the next junction, you can either take the direct route to Fesslhütte (the left trail), or the indirect route via Starhembergwarte (the right trail). 

We opted for the right path, following the green painted waymarks to Fesslhütte (signed 30 minutes). This path ascends to the Starhembergwarte lookout tower and then descends quickly to the Fesslhütte. 

Fesslhütte, Wachau Valley, Austria

The Fesslhütte (524 meters) is open from mid-April until the end of October, Wednesdays through Sundays as well as holidays.

We had a great meal here.


Fesslhütte to Dürnsteiner Kanzel (15 minutes)

Dürnsteiner Kanzel, Vogelberg, Wachau, Austria

Follow various signs to Dürnsteiner Kanzel and Vogelbergsteig, marked with red-painted waymarks. 

At the Vogelbergsteig/Kanzel junction, take the right path and detour to “Kanzel.” 

Soon the trail divides. Take either one. The right path leads over Vogelberg and the left path skirts Vogelberg. 

After the paths merge, the trail descends the wide ridge to the cliff edge. 

The Kanzel viewpoint (521 meters) is a rock plateau with broad views of a Danube River bend, the Dunkelsteiner Wald (Dark Stone Forest), and the villages of Rossatz and Weissenkirchen. 


Dürnsteiner Kanzel – Vogelbergsteig –  Dürnstein (1 hour)

Vogelbergsteig Trail, Wachau, Austria

Return to the start of the Vogelbergsteig. 

Follow the serpentines down the sparse forest, following the red painted waymarks and arrows.

The trail continues along the treeless flank of the Vogelberg. As you hike beneath the rock towers, the trail narrows and is secured with fixed cables. 

Drop into the forest. Along the way, there are a few viewpoint detours. 

Vogelbergsteig Viewpoint, Danube River, Austria

A series of serpentines bring you down to the graben/valley floor. 

When you reach level ground, turn right to Dürnstein. 

Walk through a residential area and turn left to the old town. The quiet road leads past Hotel Schloss Dürnstein and into the Altstadt.

Dürnstein Road, Wachau Valley, Austria

Follow the main road back to the Kremser Tor and return to the bus stop/car park. 


Where to Stay in Dürnstein

Dürnstein, Wachau Valley, Austria

Midrange | Bioweingut Schmidl is a family-run, organic winery with a small guesthouse (3 spacious rooms), located just outside the historic town center of Dürnstein. They offer a bicycle rental service, breakfast (included), and wine tasting (upon request). 

Luxury | Hotel Schloss Dürnstein is housed in a historic castle built in 1630, overlooking the Danube. This classic hotel features grand interiors, an excellent on-site restaurant, and a wellness area (two swimming pools and two saunas). Though this is a fine hotel overall, it does need some updates (e.g. bathrooms, air-conditioning). Breakfast is included. Book a room with a view of the Danube. 

Luxury | Hotel Richard Löwenherz is a charming old-world hotel which commands a romantic view of the Danube. Stay here for the fairy tale setting, garden outdoor pool (not heated), and gourmet restaurant and terrace.

Look for accommodation in Dürnstein.


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Sabrina Brett

Hello! I’m a spirited traveler on a quest to hike in the most picturesque alpine and coastal destinations across Europe. In 2016, I left my home and job in San Francisco, California, to move to Germany, and later Austria. The following year, I created this blog to help like-minded travelers experience new and exciting ways to travel authentically. I travel to hike, and I hope to inspire your next adventure.

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