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 Trail in Dürnstein

• Trailhead: Dürnstein, Wachau, Lower Austria
• Paid Parking: P2 Car Park | Google Maps
• Distance: 6.7 km circuit
• Time Needed: 2:45 hours
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 424 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 203 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 563 meters
• Route: Dürnstein Altstadt – Burgruine Dürnstein – Starhembergwarte – Fesslhütte – Kanzel – Vogelbergsteig – Dürnstein Altstadt
• When to Hike: This trail is open all year round, except when there’s snow, or ice.
• Where to Stay in Dürnstein: Bioweingut Schmidl (midrange), Hotel Schloss Dürnstein (luxury), or Hotel Richard Löwenherz (luxury)
• Where to Stay in Krems: Gästehaus auf der Kunstmeile (budget),  Hotel Unter Den Linden (midrange), Klinglhuber Suites (midrange-luxury)
• Recommended Trail Map: WK 0071 Wachau 1:50 000 (Freytag + Berndt)

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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

Fee | 6 EUR / day 

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. The ride costs about 20 EUR (one way). 

Book your train ticket to Krems an der Donau. 

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. The bus ride costs 2.50 EUR per person. You can buy your ticket from the bus driver.

Vogelbergsteig Trail Description

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

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. 

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)

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. 

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)

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)

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. 

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.

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

Where to Stay

Dürnstein 

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.

Krems an der Donau

Budget | Gästehaus auf der Kunstmeile is a guesthouse located on the Kunstmeile (Art Mile) in the old town of Stein, which is part of Krems, though 1.5 km from the city center. Cyclists love staying here. 

Midrange | Hotel Unter Den Linden is a 5 minute-walk to the Steiner Gate and the Krems pedestrian zone. This lovely hotel offers modern and airy rooms with parquet floors and a delicious breakfast buffet.

Midrange-Luxury | ​​Klinglhuber Suites is a top-rated, dog-friendly (12 EUR/day) accommodation in Krems, featuring spacious rooms with air-conditioning, Nespresso machines, mini-bars, and a seating area. Breakfast is included. Guests also have access to an outdoor pool. 

Luxury | Boutique Gästehaus Guestel is a stylish holiday home in Krems with three bedrooms. 

Look for accommodation in Krems an der Donau. 

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Wachau Valley:

• Wachau Valley, Austria: Hikes, Viewpoints, and Hotels
• Seekopf and Hirschwand Circuit Trail
• Dürnstein to Krems Vineyard Hike