Burgruine Duernstein
Burgruine Duernstein
4.5
About
Castle Kuernriger (Schloß Kürnriger) is the main attraction of Durnstein (Dürnstein). It is the ruins of the castle in which Richard Leoncoeur, King of England was held prisoner for a year while returning from a Crusade. The ransom was used by the Duke of Babenberg to build the city walls of Vienna. This is a popular historical attraction especially for British people.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
404 reviews
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139
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belgaicas
Sydney, Australia663 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
Great views of the Wachau Valley from up on top.
Walk from the Village up the gentle path. On the way there are plenty of signs to read to break the trip up!
Once at the end of the path you can go even further right up to the top. Challenging.
There is a shorter way down to the village mainly steps - very challenging.
Wear good shoes but do this walk!
Walk from the Village up the gentle path. On the way there are plenty of signs to read to break the trip up!
Once at the end of the path you can go even further right up to the top. Challenging.
There is a shorter way down to the village mainly steps - very challenging.
Wear good shoes but do this walk!
Written 17 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
POSitiveBrett
Scottsdale, AZ209 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
The hike up to Burgruine Castle in Durnstein is a little bit strenuous, but definitely worth the effort! The trail leading up to the ruin is lined with signs that give interesting history about the castle and it's famous prisoner, King Richard the Lionhearted. When you get to the ruin, you will look down on the Danube valley in awe, with sights in every direction. This was a highlight of our entire trip.
Written 9 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
planerider857
Kerrville, TX26 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
The hike is strenuous, but not long, and the reward is an amazing view from the castle of Durnstein and the Wachau Valley. The hike also provides the opportunity to learn more about the castle ruins that one time held King Richard the Lionheart as prisoner. Along the trail are plaques that provide some history about the castle, the crusades, King Richard, Saladin, Duke Leopold of Austria, other notable historical figures and the legend of Robin Hood.
Written 28 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chinhome
Chapin, SC308 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
About 15 minutes up a sometimes steep, narrow, rough stone route you come to the ruins of the 13th century castle where King Richard The Lionhearted was held captive for an enormously obscene ransom. The ruins are not especially scenic but the view down to Durnstein and across the Danube River are totally awsome. Wear good shoes.
Written 28 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,233 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We were on a Viking river cruise down the Danube and stopped in Durnstein. From the port, it took us about 20 minutes to walk up to the castle. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Once you are up there, you are awarded with amazing views. It is definitely worth the hike up. We went up close to sunset.
Written 6 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ofamof
Central Ohio158 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The castle ruins are on a high bluff overlooking Durnstein and the Danube Valley. There is little of the castle left, except for the shell of a few of the rooms. There's a great view terrace, though, and the views out over the river valley are spectacular. It is a bit of hike up - a bit steep and uneven. Note that there are two paths up from the town. The first is a little bit shorter, but much steeper and more uneven. The second is a much easier hike - with a broader, less steep path that is even paved part of the way. It also has some signs with historical information about the castle and the conflict between Richard the Lionheart and Leopold. To get to the easier path, when coming from the center of town go out through the city gate and then go left. Ignore the first path to the castle which you will pass (unless you want the steeper climb). Really spectacular in the late afternoon when the crowds thin and the light turns golden.
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve1211957
St Helens, UK169 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Steep walk up to the castle that Legend has it imprisoned Richard the Lionheart. The castle is now mostly ruins but nonetheless the views across the river but well worth your effort.
The town itself is full of touristy type shops, not for me but I guess that we all have to make a living!!
The town itself is full of touristy type shops, not for me but I guess that we all have to make a living!!
Written 21 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PS1645
Ottawa, Canada38 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
While the ruin itself is very good, as a starting point for hiking in the area, it is perfect. It is a ruin and as such is not in great shape but the views offered at the site and on the way up there (yes, quite an uphill walk if you are not prepared for it) are spectacular. We used it as a starting point to go to Krems for lunch and took a boat back to Dürnstein.
Written 10 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingDrZ
Easton, PA442 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
Make absolutely sure you are up for it! It is a very steep hike. Now.. lots of great history from up there and what a view!!!
Written 1 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrandsk
Freshwater, Australia670 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Situated atop the hill out of the town, this site is what remains of an old castle that is said to have been where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned for a year - a story that has never been verified. Not much left at the top of what is a good climb, but the photo opportunities of the surrounding Wachau valley are superb.
Written 30 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa G
Boca Raton, FL6 contributions
What day cruise did u take to see Durnstein castle? I am looking for day cruise on Danube from Vienna to see wachau valley, Melk Abbey & durnstein castle on sept 24...
harvard1078
Auckland Central, New Zealand113 contributions
I wasn't on a day cruise I was on a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. If you are going to Durnstein Castle I would suggest that you take good pair of walking shoes as the climb to the top of the hill. where the castle is situated, is a little steep.
Haleyrobinson90
Mora, Sweden3 contributions
My mom has bad arthritis. Is there any way to take transfer or accessible route to the top?
Dilly4472
Spilsby, UK869 contributions
No, there's no vehicular access. Have used both routes up. One is a steep scramble with steps and rough rocks and gravel. The other is a path mostly surfaced but still fairly steep. Some elderly friends of ours took this path as far as they could manage and then sat on benches enjoying the view, flowers and birds while the fitter people climbed to the castle.
yvonnedinouye
Sacramento, CA5 contributions
Hi, How long is the hike? Is their information in the castle that points out different things?
Thanks.
Yvonne
Larni V
South Africa211 contributions
There is a lot of history up there....you would be surprised! Plenty of signage and information.
Judith B
The Villages, FL15 contributions
We have a few hours of free time in Durnstein in the morning as we travel up the Danube on a riverboat. Is it reasonable to think that we could walk from the river up to the castle ruins? How long does it take to walk up to the castle? Do you need a reservation? We are active folks.
Judy and Dan
Geoff W
Whitehorse, Canada248 contributions
Hi: yes, you will have plenty of time, and it is well worth it!
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