Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau
Wine terraces in Langenlois, then castles and abbeys in the quiet granite forests of Lower Austria’s north.
- Distance
- approx. 134 km (83 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 51 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Austria
- Best time to go
- May–June and August–September
- Tolls and vignettes
- ≈ €13
- Updated
- July 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 9 stops, from Krems to Gmünd. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May–June and August–September. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €13 (Austria, Vignette).
More road trips in Austria · More road trips from Krems
Photos along the route
Route description
From Krems, at the eastern gate of the Wachau, drive north to Langenlois, Austria’s largest wine town, surrounded by terraces of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The Heiligenstein vineyard hill is a good short walk.
The B34 follows the winding Kamp valley north through Gars am Kamp, a small summer resort with a castle ruin, to the Rosenburg, a Renaissance castle famous for its falconry shows. Horn has a pleasant old town, and nearby Altenburg Abbey has a Baroque library to rival Melk’s, without the crowds.
West of here the Waldviertel, the “forest quarter”, is a high plateau of fields, granite boulders and fish ponds. Zwettl has a Cistercian abbey and a brewery, and Rappottenstein Castle, never conquered, stands on a rock in the woods south-west of the town.
Finish at Gmünd on the Czech border, where the Blockheide nature park has rocking granite boulders. The Waldviertel is cooler than the Danube valley and few tourists venture here, so campsites and parking are easy; autumn colours and the poppy fields around Armschlag in July are the highlights.
Which stops are on Kamptal and Waldviertel?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Krems
Austria - 211 km
Langenlois
Austria - 316 km
Gars am Kamp
Austria - 45 km
Rosenburg Castle
HistoryRosenburg-Mold, AustriaA Renaissance castle above the Kamp valley with one of Europe’s largest tournament courtyards and falconry shows in season.
- 56 km
Horn
Austria - 66 km
Altenburg Abbey
HistoryAltenburg, AustriaA Benedictine abbey with a Baroque library and a painted crypt, usually far quieter than Melk. Its gardens are open in summer.
- 739 km
Zwettl
Austria - 814 km
Rappottenstein Castle
HistoryRappottenstein, AustriaA never-conquered medieval castle on a granite outcrop in the Waldviertel, with a series of courtyards and original frescoes. Guided tours run in summer.
- 935 km
Gmünd
Austria
How do you drive Kamptal and Waldviertel in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Krems → Altenburg Abbey · 44 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Langenlois, Gars am Kamp, Rosenburg Castle, Horn.Overnight nearby, for example: Seecamping Krumau (12 km); Wohnmobilstellplatz Eggenburg (16 km).
- Day 2: Altenburg Abbey → Zwettl · 39 km · 0 h 33 minOvernight nearby, for example: Wohnmobilstellplatz Kampparkplatz (< 1 km); Campingplatz Wirtshaus zur Minidampfbahn (7 km).
- Day 3: Zwettl → Gmünd · 50 km · 0 h 41 minOn the way: Rappottenstein Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Waldenstein (6 km); Campingplatz Sole-Felsen-Bad (1 km).
When is the best time for Kamptal and Waldviertel?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving Kamptal and Waldviertel?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €13 (Austria, Vignette).
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
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FAQs
How long is Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau?
3-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 9 stops, from Krems to Gmünd. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 51 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau start and end?
It starts in Krems and ends in Gmünd.
Which countries does Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau pass through?
Austria.
Where can you camp along Kamptal and Waldviertel: castles beyond the Wachau?
OpenStreetMap lists 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Campingplatz Rossatz, Wohnmobilcamping Artner and Wohnmobilstellplatz Kampparkplatz.
How much are the tolls on Kamptal and Waldviertel?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €13 (Austria, Vignette). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.
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