Dürnstein Climbing Area : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Dürnstein is situated in the Wachau. Wachau is the valley formed by the Danube river between Melk and Krems (approx. 30 km). The area was settled in prehistoric times ("Venus of Willendorf" was discovered in the Wachau).

Beside Tourism the production of apricots and grapes is an important economic factor in the Wachau. In 2000 Wachau was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites.

Dürnstein Ruins

Beside from the monastery Dürnstein is famous for its ruins above the town, where King Richard I of England (aka Richard the Lionheart) was held captive after his crusade in from December 1192 to March 1193. The castle was destroyed in 1645.

This page covers only the following areas around Dürnstein (btw. mostly Gföhler Gneis):

Dürnstein (around the ruins)
Kummerstal

Dürnstein near Spiegel	Wachauer Grat

There are some other climbing areas in the Wachau like:

Weissenkirchen
Aggstein
St. Lorenz etc.

Getting There

By Train

from Vienna: Franz Josefs Bahnhof via Krems to Dürnstein (approx. 80 Minutes)
from St. Pölten via Krems to Dürnstein (approx. 80 Minutes)

By Car

from Salzburg/Linz: Highway A1 (Westautobahn) to Melk, cross the river Danube and follow the road (B3) to Dürnstein

from Vienna:

western Vienna: Highway A1 to Sankt Pölten Ost - S33 Expresswegy to Krems (crossing the river Danube) and follow the road B3 to Dürnstein
northern Vienna: Highway A22 to Tulln - Highway S5 to Krems and road B3 to Dürnstein

from north (Czech Republic) head for Krems and follow road B3 to Dürnstein

btw. Parking is subject to charges in Dürnstein

By Ship

;-) also possible - www.donaustationen.at

Climbing, Hiking, Biking

The climbing area in Dürnstein (near the ruins) is the oldest climbing area in the Wachau. The rocks around the ruins offer climbs for beginners but also more difficult routes.

Climbing - Dürnstein

rocks up to 20m - from Dürnstein walk up to the ruins of the castle (Donauturm, Adlerfelsen, Edelweissfelsen etc.) or start at train station an walk up (Spiegel, Bettinaturm and Däumling are easy to reach from the train station)


	Dürnstein Däumling	Dürnstein Ruins

Climbing - Civetta, Donauuferfelsen

The area is situated between the ruin of Dürnstein and Kummerstal. In Jule 2009 the route Transamerikapfeiler at Donauuferfelsen was destroyed by a rockslide (after intense rain).

Transamerikapfeiler after the rockslide

within the scope of the cleanup some of the rock had to be blasted - video

Climbing - Kummerstal

offers longer climbs (Don Bosco Grat, Wachauer Grat) follow B3 westwards to Spitz - parking approx. 250m after the tunnel; walk along the road another 500m turn right an follow a small trail up the valley to the climbs

Wachauer Grat and Danube	Climbing Wachauer Grat	Wachauer Grat	Wachauer Grat

Climbing - other areas/sectors

Weissenkirchen
Aggstein etc.

Hiking

e.g. Vogelbergsteig

Biking

Hundreds of cylist do the Donauradweg

Red Tape

Use Vogelbergssteig when descending from Wachauer Grat or Don Bosco Grat!!

Camping + B&Bs

The nearest camp sites are in Krems and in Rossatz-Arnsdorf (other riverside)

check the Accomodation section of www.duernstein.at for a place to stay

After a nice day climbing stop at a Heuriger (wine garden) for a glass of new wine and some good local food - check the "Heurigen Calender" section at www.duernstein.at