The Donau Trail Wachau is an outdoor event for EVERYONE who enjoys being active or spending time in nature.

What is important is the personal experience and the pride in what has been achieved.

Competition and rivalry have no place here.

Whether you are looking for a leisurely hike or an ambitious run, there is something for EVERYONE.

Because: exercise in nature has a healing effect. Who hasn't experienced this: suddenly negative thoughts disappear or you have a brilliant idea. Hiking strengthens the community. When you're out and about with friends, family or a team, you get closer to one another, one helps the other and at the end you're happy about what you've achieved together.

In this sense, one thing is clear to us: NATURE. MOVES. US.

Absolutely!! We created this event just for you.

YES! There is something for everyone. There are four different distances. It starts with a route of 10 KM. Ideal for all trail beginners or those who want to take it easy or are traveling in a team or with the family. There are also routes of 24 KM, 34 KM and 56 KM available. The longer, the fitter you should be!! Here is the LINK to the route overview.

Whether you are a runner or a hiker: the Danube Trail is a sporting event – please adapt the distance to your fitness level.

• consistent route markings at all distances

• up to 6 refreshment stations along the route

• finish line with finisher beer or wine

• DONAU TRAIL WACHAU reusable metal cup with carabiner

• DONAU TRAIL WACHAU finisher medal

• start number

• QR-Code Timing (Time2Win)

• service hotline during the event

YES, the route is marked throughout. Please note that the route goes through open terrain. It can happen that you stray from the original route. We recommend that you download the GPX track to your phone or watch. This way you can always determine your current position and quickly find your way back to the route if something goes wrong.

Further information on route marking can be found HERE.

ATTENTION: the mandatory equipment described here applies in different gradations for the individual distances.

However, it generally provides a good indication of your own safety! The mandatory equipment will be checked at random - failure to comply will result in exclusion from the event!

• .First aid kit including silver blanket (mandatory equipment for all)

• Own drinking cup (mandatory equipment for all)

• Reflective protective equipment; e.g.: safety vest, reflective wristbands, reflective hood,… (mandatory equipment for all those who will be out and about in the dark)

• Backpack with drink and provisions for self-sufficiency (mandatory equipment for all)

• Fully charged cell phone (mandatory equipment for all) and power pack for long distances. The battery can drain quickly in cold temperatures, so always carry it close to your body.

• Headlamp for all those who start in the early morning hours or plan to finish after 6:00 p.m. (mandatory equipment for all those who will be out and about in the dark). The headlamp MUST have a minimum luminosity of 500 lumens!!)

• Change of clothes – adapted to the weather

• Warm jacket / gloves / hood Even if it doesn't look like it 'down there' in the city, the weather and conditions in the terrain and at altitude can change quickly.

• Tip: Grödel (=small and light crampon variant) for winter (snow, ice) trail conditions

YES – a drinking cup / soft flask is part of the mandatory equipment. For environmental and sustainability reasons, we do NOT use cups at lab stations – that would be absolutely unnecessary waste! THANK YOU for your understanding!

Only with entry fee insurance will you get your entry fee back in the event of illness or injury. We therefore recommend that you take out entry fee insurance just in case. You can do this directly when you register online .

For other 'cancellation reasons' (e.g. unplanned business trip, last-minute private celebration, etc.) you have the option of taking out a FLEX OPTION when registering. With the Flex option you can easily transfer your starting place to next year WITHOUT giving any reasons. You can 'take' this option up to 10 days before the event - not after that!! If you would like to take the Flex option, please write to us using the contact form.

The entry fee insurance and Flex option can only be taken out directly when registering online – this is not possible afterwards.

As a very last option (if you do not have insurance or a flex option), we will transfer the starting place to another person on site (transfer fee € 28). PLEASE NOTE: Changing the distance is NOT possible if the competition is sold out - only with a valid flex option up to 10 days before the event. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets that are sold (or given away) on various platforms do NOT entitle you to start!! Tickets are tied to the name and cannot be transferred without the consent and knowledge of the organizer!!

A change in distance is only possible with a booked Flex option. This must be "pulled" up to 10 days before the event. No change in distance is possible without the Flex option.

You can pick up the starter bag with all the Donautrail goodies directly after crossing the finish line in the Krems city park.

Unfortunately no.

Basically, you can plan your Danube Trail very well.

The finish line closes at 8:00 p.m. in Krems City Park for EVERYONE, without exception.

YES! You will receive a START NUMBER! This serves as an identification feature on the route and at the aid stations and is compulsory to wear or carry. It is nice to know who else 'belongs' and hopefully this will reduce the phenomenon of 'free riders'.

START NUMBER COLLECTION – only in person upon presentation of your registration confirmation from time2win.

Friday October 4, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m .: at Sepp in the Stadtpark, Josef-Wichner-Straße 1, 3500 Krems.

or

Saturday 5 October 2024 : directly at the start in Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein.

Please allow some time for collection and do not arrive at the last minute – THANK YOU!!

NO! Official timekeeping is not part of our concept. Everyday life is stressful enough - on our outdoor adventure we deliberately want to avoid constantly looking at the clock.

You can 'take' the time yourself using the QR code on your start number.

This is NOT a must, however - it is just an offer for those who want to have a certificate (for download) with the time later, or who want to check their time later on the platform. You do NOT need an app for this, but you do need internet access... point the phone camera at it and open the LINK.

There is NO time ranking and NO award ceremony – you are all winners for us!!!

Our goal is to get children and young people moving. That's why we have created a cheap family ticket for the 10km distance (or youth ticket at WACHAU24).

The small family ticket = 1 adult + children registered on the family card or the large family ticket = 2 adults + children registered on the family card.

Each family will receive 1 starter bag and 1 start number. EVERYONE will receive the Donautrail finisher medal at the finish.

YES! There is a bag deposit at the start/finish!!

ATTENTION: this depot is not monitored and is open during the entire event! Therefore, DO NOT leave valuables in your bag/backpack! The organizer accepts no liability.

Unfortunately, late registration is not possible in 2024 due to the high demand for starting places in advance.

Given the distance of the Donau Trail WACHAU, it is impossible to position first aiders along the entire route. We work closely with the Red Cross and the mountain rescue service. Both organizations are informed and ready for action. As mandatory equipment, every participant must carry a first aid kit including a silver blanket. In the event of an emergency that requires urgent medical attention, please call the rescue service 144 or the European emergency number 112 directly. In addition, we consider mutual assistance and provision of assistance among participants to be a matter of course .

Unfortunately not! The Danube Trail is an extreme challenge where you have to bring everything yourself – except for the food at the refreshment stations.

NO! Due to the distance, we cannot possibly close the route. You are responsible for yourself and your health . The road traffic regulations apply on public roads and you are obliged to comply with them, e.g. when crossing roads, etc.

Depending on the distance chosen, the start is in Spitz, Weißenkirchen or Dürnstein and the finish is in Krems City Park. You can find a map here.

NO! We all like to look at photos... BUT fewer were bought. In addition, we cannot correctly assign participants if the start number is worn under the jacket or on the back (backpack). Due to the long distances, many photographers are necessary to ensure seamless service.

Therefore, unfortunately, there will be no photo service in 2024 ... but if the 'perceived' demand is high, we will try again for 2025.

THANK YOU for your understanding.

At some points along the route, you can easily get back to your destination using public transport. The principle of personal responsibility applies here too. If you can see that you are reaching the end of your strength, then look for suitable ways to get back. It is very easy at the following points: 1) Spitz (train & bus) 2) Weißenkirchen (train & bus) 3) Dürnstein (train & bus)

In addition, the people in our region are very helpful and will probably be happy to give you a ride in their car.

The Wachau Trail has different start times, depending on the distance and category you want to participate in. Here's an overview:

• For the wachau10, wachau24 and wachau35 races: Hikers and runners start at the same time. There are no separate start times.

• For the Wachau56, Wachau77, and Wachau101 races: The start times for hikers and runners differ. As a hiker-runner, you have the option of joining either the hikers' or the runners' starting group.

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Important: Regardless of your chosen start time, please keep an eye on the opening times of the refreshment stations . These are planned so that all participants – regardless of their speed – can be provided for.

Registration takes place online via this registration link.

ATTENTION: the longer you wait, the higher the registration fees will be

Parking in Krems https://www.krems.at/leben/mobilitaet/parken

Of course! At the various refreshment stations, we and the local innkeepers will take care of your physical well-being. Freshly baked goods and cooking are provided, and everything is done with regional and/or organic ingredients. We are still working on the current plan of the refreshment stations and their opening times. We will send you this as soon as we are ready. Please remember that, according to the principle of personal responsibility , you are also responsible for your own food, ie pack enough bars, gels, bread, tea, etc. to be prepared for snacks or emergencies.

Here is the LINK to the planned lab stations!

YES! We especially ask you to do this.

Firstly, the starting places for the Danube Trail are limited. Some competitions are fully booked long before the event. To avoid any disappointed faces later, please register in good time.

If the number of participants is limited by official regulations at the time of the event, those who register early will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. This is another reason not to wait too long to register.

On the other hand, we are seeing a trend towards registrations at shorter notice. This makes our planning extremely difficult. We have to buy medals on suspicion (delivery times are getting longer and longer). And then we are left with things that we can no longer use and have to throw away. So your early registration also helps us to avoid waste!! We would like to say THANK YOU in advance!!

REGISTER NOW

Basically, there are many options in Krems, Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein!

All accommodation facilities in the Wachau.

All details and prices can be found in Krems , Spitz , Weißenkirchen ,Dürnstein

Please don't take too long to book, as the accommodations are booked up quickly during this time.

After the finish line, we want to offer all participants and guests a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. There will be music, a bar open, and of course, plenty of food and drinks. There will also be an opportunity to wind down the day together. It's important to us that, in addition to the competition, the entire event is a special experience.

YES! Immediately after registering, you will receive a link that you can use to download your route as a GPX track. Please note, however, that this is not the final track. Small changes may occur in advance (e.g. through consultation with landowners). We will make the 'real' tracks available for download on our homepage shortly before the event.

VERY IMPORTANT: it is expressly not permitted to complete the routes by bike (not even 'just' to view them). We are very keen to have a good relationship with the landowners concerned. Unfortunately, in the past there have been some major discussions between landowners and cyclists (who are 'just' viewing the Danube Trail). For this reason we cannot provide a public download of the route. Thank you for your understanding!

Unfortunately no.

Basically YES! This is not a problem when hiking.

However, we ask you to note the following:

1) Compliance with the rules for walking dogs is mandatory; e.g.: dogs must be kept on a leash in the forest,... 2) Any 'droppings' in the forest, on the meadow,... must be taken away and disposed of. 3) Dogs must not disturb other participants, e.g.: running around between other people's legs, long leash = tripping hazard for others,...etc.

Even if it may be difficult to understand at times, we ask you to pay attention to and adhere to these points. Good cooperation between participants and land and forest owners is very important to us. THANK YOU for your understanding.

A UTMB Index race contributes to the UTMB Index of each finisher in the corresponding category (20K, 50K, 100K or 100M) and allows privileged access to the UTMB World Series events or Majors*. Privileged access corresponds to:

• Exclusive pre-sale period

• Guaranteed early bird prices

• Access to the races is on a first come, first served basis.

*Except for sold-out races, where a lottery will be held. In the case of a lottery, the subscription will be exclusive to UTMB holders.

Completing a UTMB Index race will contribute to your UTMB Index, but no Running Stones will be awarded.

The first 74 kilometers of the WACHAU160 are designed as a Self-Supported+ section .

That means:

You are primarily responsible for your own supplies , but you also have the option of hiring your own crew if you wish. A crew is not mandatory , but a valuable option for anyone planning on additional support.

What Self-Supported+ means:

• No official aid stations on the first 74 km

• No markers – navigation exclusively via GPS

• Self-sufficiency (food, equipment, fluids)

• Crew support is permitted , but only at designated, clearly marked points.

If you have a crew:

• Your crew may support you at designated crew points.

• Crew points are chosen to be realistic, safe, and logistically easy to reach.

If you're running without a crew:

• You are completely self-supported.

• Your self-sufficiency comes from what you carry with you.

• Optionally, you can visit natural water sources, shops & petrol stations,

• Use vending machines,

Why this section is designed this way

The first 74 kilometers are intended to represent the essence of the adventure: autonomy, focus, and an honest experience of the Wachau in its original form.

At the same time, the crew option offers flexibility for anyone who wants to make this section safer or tactically different.

Good to know

After 74 km you reach the first official refreshment station at Pielachberg (known from the WACHAU101). From here you begin the classic Wachau Trail experience with:

• Food stations

• Markings

• Care

• Community feeling

• Closed trail running shoes with a profiled sole, suitable for running on rough terrain.

• Running backpack with drinks and provisions for self-sufficiency

• Waterproof jacket

• Extra clothing : long trousers or leg warmers plus a long-sleeved top or short-sleeved shirt with arm warmers. Change of clothes appropriate for the weather.

• Warm jacket, gloves and hat. The weather can change quickly at higher altitudes or in the terrain, even if it is still warm in the city.

• Headlamp with spare batteries or rechargeable battery. IMPORTANT : The headlamp must have a brightness of at least 500 lumens!

• Personal drinking container for collecting drinks at the refreshment stations

• Water container with a capacity of at least 1.5 liters

• First aid kit (1x compress 10x10, 1x bandage pack, 1x self-adhesive elastic bandage, 4x wound plasters, whistle, emergency blanket)

• Navigation watch with pre-programmed GPS track of the selected route

• Reflective protective equipment , such as a high-visibility vest, reflective armbands or a hood

• A fully charged mobile phone and a power bank are essential. The battery can drain quickly in cold weather, so the phone should always be carried close to the body.

• GPS trackers will be provided by the organizer and handed out at the start.

Please make sure you have this equipment with you to ensure you start safely and well-prepared.