Walking in the Austrian Tyrol

Typical holiday itinerary

Walking information

Our walks have been selected to make the most of the area. Each evening, our leaders explain what level 2 and 3 walking is on offer for the next day so you can choose which walk to join. This is the main advantage of a multi-grade holiday, as friends with differing ability can travel together.

At both level 2 and level 3 walks there are steep ascents and descents often over quite rocky and uneven terrain. Due to the nature of the terrain on this trip, neither walking level is recommended for anyone suffering from vertigo.

Level 2 entails walking between 5 and 7 hours per day. The area we are visiting is criss-crossed by a network of long established trails and walking paths, most of them well maintained and way-marked. Even so, paths will be rocky and on occasion exposed.

Level 3 entails walking between 6 and 8 hours per day at an easy but steady pace. We will be using established trails and mountain paths; these will often be steep, rocky and more exposed than the level 3 walks.

In Achenkirch, most days are around 6 hours of actual walking for Level 2 and 7 hours for Level 3, and the level of ascent for level 2 is up to 800m and level 3 usually 1,000m. Please note that when we use lifts, the descent is usually greater than the ascent described.

The exact itinerary (and therefore the exact length of each walk) may vary depending on weather conditions or other factors beyond our control. Whilst aiming to always follow the routes described in these trip notes, it will be the leader's decision to amend the itinerary if and when necessary. Early weeks in June may need to be limited to lower level routes due to late-lying snow conditions. However, this is an ideal time for abundant alpine flowers and, as it is quieter, there is a good chance of seeing more wildlife.

Day 1: Arrive in Achenkirch

Arrive at your hotel in Achenkirch, your base for the week. In the evening the leaders will hold your welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead and give advice on the local area.
You stay at the Hotel Fischerwirt for 7 nights (breakfast and evening meal)

Day 2: At Seewaldhutte 20km/12mi or 21km/13mi

We walk directly from the hotel up a gently climbing valley to a beautiful path with extensive panoramic views, which leads us to the Seewaldhutte (1,582m) for lunch; we then descend by an alternative route to the hotel. For the longer route we walk directly from the hotel up a climbing valley to the Seewaldhutte (1,582m) and then on to the summit of Hochplatte (1,813m) for lunch before descending by an alternative route via the Feichtenalm to the hotel.

Day 3: Barenkopf 16km/9mi or 17km/10mi

We take a short bus journey to Pertisau and then the Karwendel cable car to start our walk to the summit of Barenkopf (1,991m) with its magnificent views of the lake below. Return via the Weissenbachtal to Seespitze for a ferry boat ride back to Achenkirch. On the more challenging walk we take a short bus journey to Pertisau and then the Karwendel cable car and climb to the summit of the rugged Stanserjoch (2,102m) for lunch with wonderful views of the lake below and the Inn Valley. We then descend back down to the Wellfenbachstaffe before ascending the Barenkopf (1,991m). Return is via the Karwendel cable car, after a quick drink at the Barenbadalm, for a ferry boat ride back to Achenkirch from Pertisau.

Day 4: Walk to farm of Pasillalm or Summit the Rofanspitze 19km/11mi

On the easier level two walk we walk directly from the hotel to climb steadily on a good track to the mountain farm of Pasillalm at 1,680m, before descending steeply in places to the charming little town of Pertisau to catch a lake ferry boat back to Achenkirch. On the more challenging option we take a short bus journey to Maurach and then the Rofanlift cable car for a memorable circuit around the Rofan Mountains, including climbing to the summit of the Rofanspitze (2,258m), before going off the beaten track descending via a flower-filled meadow and then a steep climb back to the Rofanlift. We then catch the steam train and ferry back to Achenkirch.

Day 5: Free day

A free day to relax or enjoy optional activities.

Day 6: Walk over the pass at Kögljoch or Vorderunnütz 13km/8mi

We start with a short bus journey to Steinberg and then walk back to Achenkirch over a remote mountain pass at Kogljoch (1,487m). Alternatively, after a short bus journey to Steinberg we climb to the summit of the rugged Vorderunnutz (2,078m), towering above Achenkirch, before descending on a steep path directly to the hotel.

Day 7: Enzianweg path to Steineres Tor or Summit Hochiss (2298m) 15km/9mi

Today we take the bus to Maurach and then the cable car to the heart of the magnificent Rofan mountain range. Here we start the delightful Enzianweg path, which climbs steadily to a col at Steineres Tor (1,978m) before descending to the lakeside for a short ferry boat ride back to Achenkirch. For the level three walk we set off from the hotel along the eastern side of the lake to Achenseehoff before climbing steeply through the trees and meadows to the heart of the magnificent Rofan mountain range for a second time, to the imposing summit of Hochiss (2,298m), the highest mountain in the range. From here we descend to Maurach via the Rofanlift and the Mauritalm for a drink and strudel. We finish off with a bus ride back to Achenkirch.

Day 8: Leave Achenkirch

Transfer to Munich for your flight home.