Walking in the Austrian Tyrol, 7 Nights

Wonderful walks through a surprising variety of alpine landscapes from lakeside walks to forest tracks, meadows and high mountains. Bob and Alina were great leaders, making the walks extra interesting with their knowledge of the flowers, history and landscapes. The walks were cleverly adjusted to suit the weather ( at this time of year expect everything from hot sun to wet days) and the option of a grade 3 or a grade 5 walk each day was a real bonus. Expect wholesome food, friendly and comfortable hotel, wonderful views and good company.

Very enjoyable week with a mixture of walking on forest trails and on mountainous terrain. Being up in the mountains area, the weather can be changeable at times, so be prepared to bring waterproof clothing and a jumper as well as sunblock and water etc. The hotel we stayed in has a great choice of evening food and the room I stayed in has a great view of the village and the lake ad well. Our tour group leaders Bob and Alina are friendly and great to chat to. The other travellers in our group made it a great week to spend time with.

This was a wonderful walking holiday. I was in the moderate walking group which was stretching me but still allowed us to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The walks in the mountains around Achensee were varied and all wonderful. Inclusion of ferry, gondola and steam train on some walks were a wonderful bonus. We stopped on an mountain restaurant for a coffee on some walks, listening to cow bells, saw chamois, Marmots, a slow worm, Edelweiss and many Alpine flowers. Our leader knew where we were likely to find plants and animals. I enjoyed the optional evening with a good local brass band and a local dance group showing the traditional dances of the alpine trade guilds and was impressed that so many younger people (average age 34) is honouring the old traditions and keeping them alive. I rated the holidays as 4 and not 5 as I would have loved it if someone from the local community who cherishes the area could have given us a talk about the nature, history and culture of the area where we walked. Including a local guide with enthusiasm for this part of Austria would have been a bonus worth considering.

This was an excellent holiday and exceeded all my expectations, particularly as I'd already had a memorable walking holiday in Austria previously and thought nothing would top that. How wrong was I?! I wish I was still there! Despite thinking that the level 3 walks would be more than enough for me before I got there, I spent all of the days, except one, doing level 5 walks. Every night, the group leaders (the amazing Paul and Louise) provided a very detailed description of the walks, weather conditions and what we could expect. We even had visual demonstrations of each walk using table props by the end of the week! Who knew that pepper pots made such great mountains?! This was very helpful in gauging what walk I wanted to do, and luckily the weather was kind to us so only one day was wet (I went in August). The area of Achensee is very pretty and the hotel was right by the beautiful lake. The walks took in a variety of mountain ranges and scenery, giving you a good chance to explore the region around the lake. We travelled by local bus, cable car, ferry and steam train using the free Achensee holiday card, which was valid all week (including the free day). I loved the walking as the scenery was stunning, the trails were fairly quiet most days, the flowers and wildlife were incredible, and the sound of the cow bells was really special. One day, we climbed above cloud level and sitting on the mountain top looking down at the clouds was a special experience, realising I'd climbed higher than the clouds, like I was superhuman! Some days, there were stops at Almshouses in the mountains for coffee and cake, or a drink (more on the level 3 walks than level 5, due to their less intense walking conditions). The cakes in Austria are incredible. On the free day, there is plenty to do around the lake and there isn't really any need to go further afield by catching the train from Jenbach, unless you really want to. The hotel was excellently run and we were very well looked after by the friendly staff and owner, Crystal. The food was out-of-this-world, plentiful, traditional, delicious and ample. The four course meals every night (soup, salad, main course, and dessert) were just what you needed after a day's walking. My room was comfortable and I had views over the mountains and lake. The hotel is an old traditional Austrian guest house so don't expect a modern 5* hotel. I enjoyed staying there.

It's a week since my partner and I returned from this trip, we had an excellent time and would recommend this trip! .Originally a key factor in choosing this trip was the flexibility to choose different levels of walk each day as we were not totally confident on what would be suited to us and this turned out to be really great option. Each evening the guides Paul and Louise would outline the following days walks so everyone had a good idea and could choose accordingly and many did switch between the levels during the days. The guides were excellent, knowledgeable on the area, animals and fauna but most importantly full of energy and very supportive to everyone in the group, they made the trip a real pleasure. The location is very scenic even before walking up the hills and the Accomodation was spacious, staff were friendly and good food every evening.

This trip far exceeded my expectations. Offering two levels of hike a day was perfect for gaining confidence and challenging myself under the expert supervision of the group leaders . Be prepared for some incredible views of the pristine glacial lake, and the breathtaking sights from the highest peaks in the Austrian Tyrol. This trip offers challenging hikes with lots of opportunities to safely go out of your comfort zone balanced with discovering the best cake and beer huts on the mountain . The hotel and food were fabulous and the staff were always friendly and obliging. Austrians take politeness to another level . The area is well connected with transport so there are plenty of options for the free day . This trip offered challenges , camaraderie , excitement and serene moments at the summits . If you are lucky enough to have Paul McDermott and/or Louise Russell as your leaders expect to come home healthier, stronger , happier and a little heavier ( all muscle of course ) ! This trip will not disappoint .

Wonderful week spent walking in the Tyrol. The hotel is perfectly placed by the lake and run with care and consideration by Crystal. The food was hearty and plentiful with buffet breakfast , self made packed lunch and a 4 course evening meal . 2 levels of walks were offered each day , some of which started or finished at the hotel and always allowed for plenty of stops for rest and refreshments . A complementary travel pass was included which allowed independent exploration of the area on the free day by bus, steam train, ferry, cable car or ski lift .

Fabulous week of hiking in the stunning mountains surrounding lake Achensee

Great trip with amazing views. We took level three walks and although we didn't have previous experience, we were able to go to all trips. Special thanks to our great guides Louise Russel and Paul McDermott, who were always in a good humor and made sure everybody had a wonderful experience, even when the weather didn't help much.

Had a fantastic week thanks to our wonderful guides Bob,and Paul (and Louise who was shadowing them). Met a great group of people. Wonderful (if rather hot) weather helped of course Achensee is beautiful with some excellent routes for all abilities. Hotel and staff were welcoming and good hearty food.

This holiday has it all - great walks, scenery, guides, hotel, food... highly recommended! I didn't have any particularly high expectations of the holiday after reading the brochure and booking it, but I was pleasantly surprised, it's very well thought out and location is excellent. I did the challenging walk each day guided by Paul, these were well planned, and even with some clouds on occasion, the views were stunning and there was an abundance of alpine flowers. The hotel is well located right on the lake, with comfortable rooms. The food is no-nonsense but very good and plentiful, which I appreciated after a day's walking, and has lots of choice in the menu. There were wheat-free options for evening meals and breakfast, and they even gave me gluten free bread each day to make sandwiches with for lunch.

Lovely walking in good company with great leaders, good food and comfortable hotel. The group was split into level 3 and level 5 graded walks. We did the level 3 walks and found them excellent. The weather was mixed but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Cake cafes featured prominently in the itineraries. Wild flower identification was a hot topic.

A great week .. stunning scenery and great mix of walking. Paul and Bob both excellent guides who briefed us well each day to ensure we were comfortable with the level of walking. Hotel excellent too with ample food and helpful, cheery staff. Located next to the beautiful lake which was fantastic for a swim at the end of the day (we had a hot week). Oh and a particularly great group of people. Would highly recommend

Exquisite scenery, knowledgeable guides, great walks, lovely hotel, fun and friendly people - what more can you ask? This was a most memorable holiday and I highly recommend it. The trip was very organised, leaving you to just relax and not worry about the details. The hikes were well planned and took you to places of incredible beauty. A level of fitness is recommended for both levels of hikes which can consist of steep ascents/descents, some rock scrambling, and traversing areas of snow. The hotel was very comfortable and the food plentiful. The hotel was very accommodating in preparing vegan meals for me but the choice was limited. The guides, Bob and Paul, were very knowledgeable about the area and sensitive to people's capabilities and needs.

Fabulous time - stunning scenery - we were very lucky with the weather. Our guides were great, Bob and Paul. My group's guide was Bob - very knowledgable and thoughtful. The Hotel was comfortable and the food great (only spoilt by one or two grumpy waitresses!). I have to say that I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.

Mixed weather meant some cloudy days but views of the Tyrol were lovely on the good days. The hotel was clean and comfortable. The rooms were a good size and had a balcony to sit on to enjoy the views. Very quiet at night. The evening meals were 4 courses and ample. No nouvelle cuisine here. Vegetarian meals were available each evening. The packed lunches from the hotel worked well as the nearest shop was a 10 minute walk from the hotel. The level 3 walks had a stop for coffee and cakes on most days. Be prepared to go on a diet when you get home! The first 2 walks for the level 3 were the least challenging and were mainly on forest tracks so the views were restricted. The last 3 walks were the best for views. The Achensee travel pass was a good way to see the area by public transport.

A very good week. Great group of people with a good choice of excellent, well lead walking. The Hotel was a generally good for the grade, I'd have no problem staying in this hotel again. Whilst the evening meals are perfectly OK, they could be improved (see below), hence the less than excellent overall rating. I'd happily do this holiday at this hotel again.

A fantastic experience, great hotel and food with friendly staff. Two knowledgeable and great guides, who made it all flow like a dream. Superb walks at two levels with Great views when weather permitted. Definitely a must do.

It's easy to see why Exodus customers keep coming back for more - knowledgeable and friendly guides, stunning scenery, comfortable accommodation and a brilliantly eclectic group of fellow guests is a winning combination. Both Bob and Paul were full of information about all the flora and fauna we saw, and led us at a comfortable pace through varied mountain scenery. The hotel staff are outstandingly friendly and helpful, and our large double room with scenic balcony was far better than many grander hotels. The way we used our travel pass to get around by buses, cable cars, boat and train was most enjoyably green, and allowed us to sample the mountains in all directions. Even the decidedly iffy weather on 4 out of 6 days didn't spoil the fun!

I don't normally have time to give feedback but no way I wasn't going to after this wonderful trip! I can honestly say I don't think my experience could have been better from first picking up the phone to discuss the Walking in the Austrian Tyrol trip to flying home and saying goodbye to such a lovely group of people and new friends. I chose Level 3 walks as was not at my full fitness level which were brilliantly led by Graham. A great companion on all the walks. Paul led the Level 5 walks which again were much enjoyed by his group. Both were fabulous hosts to our week. I personally would have been suited to a Level 4 (if there was such a level) but appreciate that wouldn't be possible. The hotel and food were excellent and set in a beautiful location. So sincere thanks Exodus - very much looking forward to my next trip. Definitely the holiday for me!

The best Exodus trip I have done to date. Inspirational hiking in breathtaking scenery mixed with exceptional hilarity in outstanding company. The Austrian weather gods blessed us with virtually uninterrupted sunshine, epic and varied vistas on every trek, complimented by authentic Tyrolean cuisine and hospitality. The trip makes excellent use of the local travel card, including the ferry and steam train. The itinerary is well thought out to allow the day to run efficiently, meaning there is enough time for post-hiking swimming in the beautiful Achensee and relaxation in the sauna before dinner. A great week in every respect.

Each day's hike offered different terrain, different challenges, different views...and different cakes. Eric was a wonderful guide. And this group was the most fun I've had through Exodus!

Achenkirk provided an excellent base for a great week of hiking in the Tirol. We got a great flavour of the area sampling a range of walks around the range. The Lake, the mountains and the accessibility of excellent walking made the trip. Weather for the most part was great and the terrain was challenging but manageable to walk on. Really enjoyed the hotel and facilities as well.

This was a lovely week of great walks amid stunning scenery in the Austrian Tyrol. Based in Achenkirk, we were able to access many of the best mountain walks available using cable cars, lake steamers etc as well as our own feet! We had 2 very friendly and knowledgeable guides-Paul & Eric, 1 for each level of walking and a comfortable base at Hotel Fischerwirt. A really nice week and a great group.

Five challenging walks all close to the lakeside base, plus cable car, ferry and steam train rides. Great location, great views.. walks were good length, not too long so had time for a beer,swim,relax afterwards.

I thoroughly enjoyed my second hiking trip with Exodus. The guides (Bob and Paul) were superb. They went out of their way to make us all feel comfortable with what the hikes would be like and what our options were each day. The scenery was amazing, we lucked out with good weather until the last day which was raining. I can't say enough about how well the trip was organized and well thought out. Hats off to Exodus and especially Bob and Paul.

It’s been a wonderful experience, rather challenging on some walks, but worthwhile the effort.

Authentic Tyrolean hotel, in a picturesque location served as an ideal base for series of well guided walks showcasing the surrounding mountains.

Very good overall. Competent, well qualified guides and diverse, friendly fellow walkers. Large, comfortable hotel with a good self service breakfast menu and reasonable range of dinner options. Added attraction of an impressive sauna suite, which helped recovery after our more taxing, and mostly damp walks. The area is very attractive, with a good choice of walks and a variety of efficient and novel transport modes. A couple of small issues relating to my bathroom, which were dealt with as soon as practicable by reception.

My intention for taking this trip was that I wanted to have some pleasant walks in the mountains that did not require great technical difficulty like ropes or high altitude gear. I wanted to see beautiful mountain views, and mostly, alpine flowers. This trip did not disappoint me. I chose the easier of the two itineraries. The level 3 was a very comfortable but full day for me. Every day was a different experience, sometimes a ridge panorama or a descent to a lake, but always a beautiful and varied landscape. I thought utilising local transport was a brilliant way to travel greater distances and thus increasing the variety of terrain explored. A steam train, a ferry, a bus, all a lot of fun. And do enjoy the farmhouse coffee and cakes! I sure did.

This is my second trip with Exodus Travel. This trip met my exceptations and more. I participated in 4 of the 5 Level 5 walks. The treks were challenging but fair. I especially enjoyed the company of my fellow travellers and listening to their experiences from past walking holidays. The hotel was quaint and the cuisine was dreamy.

My first hiking holiday on my own...would reccommend. Well.organised and good fun. Walked the grade 5 all week even in.poor weather.

I completed the L5 walks and they were tough. Be prepared for extreme height gain over a relatively short distance. There is some scrambling involved and walking narrow paths, not for those nervous about heights. This is an uncandid summary, and for me, all in all, an excellent week. The rest day is needed where there is plenty to do in the local area, even if just a level walk along the lake to recondition the leg muscles.

One of my best Exodus trips. A really lovely walking area, with such a variety of superb walks. Amazing flowers. Great leader (Bob for Level 3). Trips on chair lifts, steam trains and the very smart lake ferry. The hotel overlooks a large lake. My room had a lovely view of the mountains. Good food. A very friendly group of walkers. And coffee and apple strudel on the walks! What more could you want?

Added to an excellent week of walking in beautiful scenery and lovely weather, all the transport arrangements were seamless, the hotel's location and our room were excellent and the food throughout was good and wholesome.

A wonderful week walking in the surrounding area of Achenkirck. Thanks to both leaders, Bob and Lea, who were super. Our hotel was great with good food, lovely helpful staff and a very nice room with a balcony.

My first trip to Austria more than reached my expectations . I have undertaken several treks, including Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Kilimanjaro and more recently, the Inca Trail. Whilst the altitude was lower, the level 5 walks were challenging and set at a pretty fast pace which definitely gave me a sense of accomplishment by the end of the day! I decided to opt for the level 3 walk on a day when the weather was more inclement and though gentler and lower, it was very enjoyable and still required stamina and a good fitness level. Our Guides, Bob and Lea, were excellent, and it was good to have the option to choose whichever grade you felt like doing each day. The hotel was very good, a spacious room and small balcony, comfortable bed and plenty of hot water to soak tired limbs at the end of the day, plus a sauna down the corridor. The food was tasty and plentiful and the bargain of the week was a packed lunch for 10 euros (for the week!) ! The staff were friendly and very efficient. The hotel is located on the northern shore of Lake Achen, near to the boat landing, so very convenient. The lakeside walk was delightful and a good option on a day when the clouds and rain came down. A good transport system - bus/boat/train - made it possible to visit Innsbruck on the free day and this was a very enjoyable excursion.

A wonderful week of walking in the Austrian Tyrol, experiencing extremes of weather and beautiful, relaxing scenery. We opted for grade 5 walks each day (except the last due to the inclement weather) and they were suitably challenging and brought rewards of fantastic views making the effort expended worthwhile. The use of varied modes of transport made the trip more interesting and the return to the hotel on the ferry and the opportunity for a beer and/or ice cream whilst enjoying the scenery pass gently by was a great way to end some of the days. Overall a great week which has suitably tickled our fancy to return to Austria.

This is an excellent hotel based walking holiday that I would recommend to anyone. The location, entered around Lake Achensee, is fantastic, with both Level 3 and Level 5 walks available. I stuck to the Level 3s, but several people easily switched between 3 and 5. The Hotel Fischerwirt was an excellent base for our walks, offering family run service, and great meals in the evening. Both of our tour leaders, Anna and Paul, were excellent, and I would certainly go on a holiday with them again. If you are looking for great mountain walking, in an excellent location, I would highly recommend this trip!

I loved this trip. I have never been to Austria before and the location and walks featured an array of stunning views. Having the option of Level 3 and 5 walks was great as you vary the level of challenge depending on your ability and how you are feeling! The tour leaders were funny and helpful, though I felt we missed out on many opportunities to stop for cake. You are based by a lake and it was lots of fun using the local ferry, steam train and cable cars to get to and from walks. The hotel was fine, the breakfast and dinners were filling, though Austrian food can be rather heavy and it would have been nice to have had a group meal at one of the local restaurants one night.

Superb walking in a beautiful area. This was a great trip reaching several peaks surrounding lake Achensee. The hotel is fantastic as well, you get your lunch from the breakfast buffet.

My husband and I completed this in July this year and it was a really enjoyable trip. The weather was poor all week but it didn't dampen our spirits and that of the guide, Paul. Everyday was filled with laughter, sarcasm and plenty of hard walking on the level 5, all of which was worth it for the views and the overall experience!

A superb trip, highly recommendable. The level 5 walks were varied and very satisfying - with beautiful flowers, varying terrain and sometimes gave opportunity for a welcome beer / strudel. Led by a good humoured and knowledgable Paul, every day was a happy challenge. The level 3 walks sounded beautiful as well, and there was high praise for their experience of Bob's tasty cakes! Authentic Austrian hotel with a sauna for sore limbs, swims in the fresh lake, good hearty food.

We originally planned to go on the Classic Dolomites trip but decided to take the plunge and try this much newer trip. We're very glad we did and had an excellent time. The area is very well chosen for various reasons, mainly because it is beautiful and offers superb views. We were very lucky with the weather and had a couple of fantastic days with great views all around the neighbouring mountains and valleys. In addition there are excellent public transport links i.e. bus, cable car and ferry which make getting around throughout the week very easy. The trip includes a travel card for all of these which is also a big bonus on the free day, and there's plenty to see and do. The trip offers both grade 3 and grade 5 walks with a different leader for both. It was nice to have the choice and you do of course have the option to pick and choose. We did Level 5 walks on all but the first day and found them challenging in places but perfectly manageable for someone of good fitness, although you do need to be quite sure-footed on all grades. The only point I would make for me personally was that there was more descent than ascent on several of the days which I found hammered my knees. I got the impression that the level 3 walks were somewhat more leisurely and had a much greater emphasis on refreshments, with at least one cake stop at the many mountain huts! We were generally all finished by around 4-5pm which gave plenty of time for a couple of relaxed hours before the evening meal. The surrounding area and the views were of course stunning and there were an abundance of wild flowers and various wildlife. The very friendly cows and goats deserve a special mention too with their clanking bells audible all around. The accommodation and local area in general were very pleasant and the hotel staff very friendly. The food and drink were excellent and of good quality and the rooms were clean and comfortable. An important aspect of any group trip is of course the people and we enjoyed some excellent company. I feel any Exodus trip is going to attract interesting, likeminded and well-travelled people and it took hardly anytime at all for people to get to know each other.

This has been my first walking trip and our first booking with exodus. We chose the level 5 walks on all of our days out. The walks were challenging but manageable even in poor conditions. The hotel was clean and tidy with great views over the lake and within easy reach of the local shops and bus stop . The food was great and it's a nice that the hotel let you make a pack up for your trips out......ham sandwich anyone???

The resort and general area are stunningly beautiful, the hotel is very good and the two leaders are also very good

Just finished a brilliant week in Achenkirch at the Fischerwirt Hotel, Grade 3 walks all the way with our Guide Bob Mason, Bob never ceased to amaze us everyday with his extensive knowledge of all things Austrian and especially the Tirol flora, fauna, wildlife and his speciality subject of the best cake. Cake miraculously appeared where it had no right to exist and each cake stop was surpassed by the next, the walking was on a par with the cake on every level, thanks again Bob from Francie, Tracey and Carmel.

This is a great holiday offering two levels of walking with experienced and very able leaders. Great environments to explore. Good food and a great hotel.

Great holiday,good choice of walks.Team Leaders very helpful,Good hotel with lovely food.

Walking in the Austrian Tyrol