Hiking the Tyrolean Alps

Discover a hiker’s paradise with us as we head out on trails amid soaring limestone mountains, flower-filled alpine meadows, gleaming lakes, and picture-perfect villages of ancient wooden chalets. Our journey cuts a swath across this glorious alpine world from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, twin villages nestled at the foot of the mighty Zugspitze in the heart of Bavaria, to beautiful Innsbruck in Austria’s Tyrol, with its medieval center of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Our Trip Leaders offer two hiking options on many days, allowing us to experience this splendid realm at moderate or challenging levels. Fine dining and overnights in traditional hotels—including a historic 5-star spa in a spectacular setting—top off each unforgettable day.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Superbly situated beneath the spire of the Zugspitze (9,721'), Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the ideal start for our hiking adventure. Our ridgetop hikes offer panoramic views of over 400 alpine summits as we follow trails through lush, wildflower-covered alpine meadows and past traditional alms, chalet-style farmhouses where we can stop for a drink or snack.

Days 3-4
Hollentalklamm Gorge / Kranzberg

A breathtaking trail brings us through the steep-sided Hollentalklamm Gorge, with its trails hewn from and tunneling through the gorge’s walls as the river twists and turns below us. Our other options include a hike right from our hotel through forests and meadows to the summit of Hoher Kranzberg (4,600') or one of the most beautiful ridge hikes in the Alps, bringing us past Herzogstand (5,679'), the site of the former hunting lodge of 16th century Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria. Our accommodation, the historic Kranzbach, is a 5-star spa hotel built in 1932 and set on 32 acres of protected mountain meadows in the heart of the Bavarian Alps.

Days 5-6
Seefeld Valley, Austria / Tyrolean Alps

We hike from Bavaria into Tyrol and cross the Austrian border to arrive at the lovely Seefeld Valley, with its traditional villages of wooden chalets and tranquil meadows below the impressive Wetterstein and Karwendel Mountains. Our hiking route follows the Leutasch Klamm, a deep river gorge that Napoleon took to invade Tyrol in 1805. We emerge into the beautiful Leutasch Valley, where ancient Tyrolean farming hamlets with fresco-painted wooden houses extend along the valley floor. One of our challenging hiking options begins in the tiny hamlet of Lehner and heads up into the forested Puittal Valley to just below the Scharnitzjoch, a dramatic mountain pass.

Days 7-8
Innsbruck, Austria

A high-level ridgetop trail with breathtaking views brings us to the summit of the Hafelekar-Spitze (7,700'), perched high on a sheer north face above Innsbruck, with views stretching to the Dolomites. A spectacular descent by cable car brings us directly into Innsbruck, Tyrol’s capital, where we explore its medieval city center before departing on Day 8.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 4+. Good hiking experience is essential. Most hiking is between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, and the maximum elevation reached is 8,650 feet (on an optional strenuous hike). There is a good bit of up-and-down during the 6-8 hours of daily hiking, with 2,000- to 3,000-foot elevation gain and loss per day. On most days there are easier hiking options, though, and since there is a support vehicle, trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the U.S. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM.

Explanation of Trip Levels