Ybbs-Melk Danube 2026 - Nibelungengau Short Trip

5 days/4 nights, 9-17 km/300-500 metres of elevation gain daily, 3-star hotels

This hiking tour takes you through the charming Danube region between Ybbs and Melk - ideal for pleasure hikers! Highlights of the route include the pilgrimage site of Maria Taferl with its magnificent panoramic views and spiritual flair, the historic Artstetten Castle - the final resting place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - and the baroque Melk Abbey, a true jewel overlooking the Danube. Along the way, atmospheric inns, regional specialities such as cider, apricot dumplings and homemade pastries await you. A hike with a view, cultural enjoyment and genuine Austrian warmth - for all those who like to be out and about with leisure and joy.

from €  386,10
per person 5 days/4 nights,
Hotels at 3-star level
book now
from  € 386,10
per person
5 days/4 nights,
Hotels at 3-star level
Wandern am Donausteig mit tollem Ausblick
  • Wandern am Donausteig mit tollem Ausblick
    © WGD/Erber
  • Blick vom Hotel Schachner bei Maria Taferl auf die Donau und Landschaft
    © Hotel Schachner
  • Blick über die Donauregion bei Maria Taferl
    © Hotel Schachner/WK-photography
  • Blick auf den Berg zu Maria Taferl mit Kirche
    © Hotel Schachner
  • Donau mit einem Schiff, im Hintergrund Stift Melk
    © Niederösterreich Werbung, Michael Liebert

Personal contact

Inez Varga 0043 (0)732 / 72 77 - 218 inez.varga@touristik.at Mo-Fr 9 a.m. - 4.30 p.m request now Inez Varga
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Danube 2026 - Nibelungengau Short Trip

Ansprechpartner Kontakt

Your Inquiry
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Data protection:
Your announced data will be only used from „Oberösterreich Touristik GmbH“ for the process of bookings and related transactions and will be passed on only in the context of the contractual relationship to third parties (Privacy Notice). (for example, tourist service providers, processors)

  After your inquiry you will immediately receive an e-mail message. If not, we kindly ask you to call us (0043 (0)732 / 72 77 - 218).

Detailed information about this offer

Included services
  • 4 nights in 3-star hotels
  • Daily rich breakfast buffet
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel to Melk (1 piece of luggage per person, max. 20 kg)
  • Bus ride from Leiben to Melk
  • Return journey by train and bus to Ybbs/Persenbeug
  • Your personal hiking route in an individualized route book, as a digital application for computer and mobile phone, GPX data for your navigation device
  • Service telephone also on weekends
    Additional fees: Prices are inclusive of taxes and duties. Not included in the price: The city tax (approx. &euro 1.00 – 4.00 per person/night) is to be paid at the respective hotel.
Itinerary
  • Day 1 - Individual arrival in Ybbs/Persenbeug on the Danube

    Arrival in Ybbs/Persenbeug, check-in at the hotel and handover of travel documents.
    Example of hotel: Hotel–Gasthof Böhm in Persenbeug
  • Day 2 - From Ybbs/Persenbeug to Marbach approx. 17 km, ascent and descent approx. 300 m each, walking time approx. 4.5 hours

    Your hiking stage begins at the historic Danube landing stage in Persenbeug and takes you downstream through the legendary Nibelungengau region – ideal for an enjoyable hiking holiday. As you hike, you will pass through Hagsdorf and Gottsdorf before the trail climbs into the forest at Metzling. Through tranquil nature and past an old quarry, you will reach the highest point of the stage with impressive panoramic views of the Danube. The descent takes you to Marbach, where you can enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of the Nibelungenland at the harbour. A hiking trip that impressively combines landscape and legend.
    Example of hotel: Hotel-Gasthof Zur Schönen Wienerin in Marbach
  • Day 3 - From Marbach to Maria Taferl approx. 9 km, ascent approx. 500 m, descent approx. 200 m, walking time approx. 2 hours

    Your hiking stage starts at the boat landing stage in Marbach and takes you to the picturesque Winklermühle mill – an atmospheric start to your hiking holiday. The route continues through the wild and romantic Steinbachklamm gorge, where unspoilt nature and cool water make hiking particularly impressive. From Hilmanger, a wide view of the Danube valley opens up as the path leads pleasantly downhill. The highlight of your hiking trip is the pilgrimage site of Maria Taferl, which towers high above the Danube. Here, tranquillity, spirituality and an overwhelming panorama combine to create a moment you will never forget while hiking.
    Example of hotel: Hotel Schachner in Maria Taferl
  • Day 4 - From Maria Taferl to Melk approx. 14 km, ascent approx. 300 m, descent approx. 400 m, walking time approx. 3.5 hours

    From Maria Taferl, the trail initially runs alongside the golf course before branching off towards Artstetten. Part of the route follows the Way of St. James before reaching Artstetten Castle, whose striking architecture and resting place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand offer a deep insight into Habsburg history. You then hike through a varied cultural landscape to Leiben, where the stage ends at the European Castle. A bus takes you on to Melk, where the famous Melk Abbey – majestically overlooking the Danube – rounds off your hiking trip with baroque splendour and a spiritual atmosphere.
    Example of hotel: Hotel Wachauerhof in Melk
  • Day 5 - Individual journey home

    Take the train and bus back to Ybbs/Persenbeug. Individual journey home.

    Hotel note: We make every effort to book the hotels mentioned by name. However, if one is not available, we will switch to an equivalent company.
Details and cancellation

Parking options during your holiday in the Nibelungengau:
You can park your car free of charge near the hotel.

Note for people with reduced mobility:
The hiking tour is generally not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Passport and visa requirements:
A valid passport or ID card is required for hotel check-in.
Special entry requirements may apply to foreign citizens (outside the Schengen area). Each traveller is responsible for obtaining a visa in good time.

Terms and Conditions of Payment:
The deposit of 10% of the tour price is due at the latest 14 days after receipt of the booking confirmation. The balance must be paid 14 days before arrival.

Cancellation Policy:
According to our General Terms and Conditions, the customer may withdraw from the contract at any time in writing. In the event of cancellation or non-commencement of travel, the following cancellation fees will become payable:
20% of the tour price up to the 28th day before departure
30% of the tour price from 27th to 14th day before departure
50% of the tour price from the 13th to the 8th day before departure
70% of the tour price from 7th to 4th day before departure
90% of the tour price from the 3rd day before departure until the day of arrival

If the customer makes changes of the date of travel up to 28 days before departure, we will charge a processing fee of € 50,00 per booking. After this date, the cancellation policy will apply. Such changes to a booking may only be made in individual cases and if possible; the customer has no right to any changes.

Our detailed Terms and Conditions of Business can be viewed on our website at https://www.radurlaub.com/en/home.html; upon request, will also send them to you by e-mail.

In case of a booking your announced data will be only used from OÖ Touristik GmbH for the process of bookings and related transactions and will be passed on only in the context of the contractual relationship to third parties. (for example, tourist service providers, sights, passenger transport, processors). The detailed Privacy Notice you will find on www.radurlaub.com/en/privacynotice.html

Standard information:
The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2015/2302.
This ensures that you will benefit from all EU rights applicable to packages. OÖ Touristik GmbH will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package.
As per law in the event of insolvency of OÖ Touristik GmbH the company refunds payments already made and additionally takes care of return transport, if originally included.
More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302 https://www.radurlaub.com/en/reisebedingungen.html.

Financial cover for customers:
The tour operator OÖ Touristik GmbH, Freistädter Str. 119, 4041 Linz has completed a bankruptcy insurance with Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich AG, Europaplatz 1a, 4020 Linz. The liquidator is the Europäische Reiseversicherung AG, Kratochwjlestraße 4, 1220 Wien, Email: info@europaeische.at, 24-hour emergency number: +43 1 3172500.
Travelers have to contact the liquidator within 8 weeks if they are denied claims due to the insolvency of OÖ Touristik GmbH. Details on the business license of OÖ Touristik GmbH can be found on the website https://www.gisa.gv.at/abfrage under the GISA number 14930096.

Rates and additional services to book

Rates

Arrival: 25.03.2026 - 10.10.2026

daily

A: 03.10.2026 - 10.10.2026
€ 429,00
 (per person and stay)
€ 569,00
 (per person and stay)
B: 19.09.2026 - 02.10.2026
€ 489,00
 (per person and stay)
€ 629,00
 (per person and stay)
C: 25.03.2026 - 18.09.2026
€ 529,00
 (per person and stay)
€ 669,00
 (per person and stay)

Saving tips

-10%
Additional services
28.03.2026 - 10.10.2026
69,00
No worries package (per person and stay) 
28.03.2026 - 10.10.2026
59,00
Surcharge for additional piece of luggage (per person and stay) 
01.04.2026 - 31.10.2026
-10,00
Adult
-7,50
12-14 years
-5,00
7-11 years
0,00
up to 6 years
Discount for waiving the hiking book and snack box (per person/stay)
Discounts:
  • -10 %
01.04.2026 - 31.10.2026
0,00
(per person/stay)
book now

book now Danube 2026 - Nibelungengau Short Trip

Personal contact

Inez Varga
0043 (0)732 / 72 77 - 218
inez.varga@touristik.at
Mo-Fr 9 a.m. - 4.30 p.m
Logo der OÖ Touristik GmbH
Details and cancellation

Parking options during your holiday in the Nibelungengau:
You can park your car free of charge near the hotel.

Note for people with reduced mobility:
The hiking tour is generally not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Passport and visa requirements:
A valid passport or ID card is required for hotel check-in.
Special entry requirements may apply to foreign citizens (outside the Schengen area). Each traveller is responsible for obtaining a visa in good time.

Terms and Conditions of Payment:
The deposit of 10% of the tour price is due at the latest 14 days after receipt of the booking confirmation. The balance must be paid 14 days before arrival.

Cancellation Policy:
According to our General Terms and Conditions, the customer may withdraw from the contract at any time in writing. In the event of cancellation or non-commencement of travel, the following cancellation fees will become payable:
20% of the tour price up to the 28th day before departure
30% of the tour price from 27th to 14th day before departure
50% of the tour price from the 13th to the 8th day before departure
70% of the tour price from 7th to 4th day before departure
90% of the tour price from the 3rd day before departure until the day of arrival

If the customer makes changes of the date of travel up to 28 days before departure, we will charge a processing fee of € 50,00 per booking. After this date, the cancellation policy will apply. Such changes to a booking may only be made in individual cases and if possible; the customer has no right to any changes.

Our detailed Terms and Conditions of Business can be viewed on our website at https://www.radurlaub.com/en/home.html; upon request, will also send them to you by e-mail.

In case of a booking your announced data will be only used from OÖ Touristik GmbH for the process of bookings and related transactions and will be passed on only in the context of the contractual relationship to third parties. (for example, tourist service providers, sights, passenger transport, processors). The detailed Privacy Notice you will find on www.radurlaub.com/en/privacynotice.html

Standard information:
The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2015/2302.
This ensures that you will benefit from all EU rights applicable to packages. OÖ Touristik GmbH will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package.
As per law in the event of insolvency of OÖ Touristik GmbH the company refunds payments already made and additionally takes care of return transport, if originally included.
More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302 https://www.radurlaub.com/en/reisebedingungen.html.

Financial cover for customers:
The tour operator OÖ Touristik GmbH, Freistädter Str. 119, 4041 Linz has completed a bankruptcy insurance with Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich AG, Europaplatz 1a, 4020 Linz. The liquidator is the Europäische Reiseversicherung AG, Kratochwjlestraße 4, 1220 Wien, Email: info@europaeische.at, 24-hour emergency number: +43 1 3172500.
Travelers have to contact the liquidator within 8 weeks if they are denied claims due to the insolvency of OÖ Touristik GmbH. Details on the business license of OÖ Touristik GmbH can be found on the website https://www.gisa.gv.at/abfrage under the GISA number 14930096.