Overview
Hiking at its best in Bavaria and Tyrol’s stunning mountains – from Garmisch Partenkirchen in Germany across two mountain ranges of exceptional Alpine beauty and wilderness to the Austrian town Innsbruck. Wetterstein and Karwendel massifs form the border between Bavaria and Tyrol and being a border region the mountains were isolated for quite a long time. You will find unspoilt countryside with a well maintained and signposted network of hiking trails.
You will walk through impressive gorges and balcony trails; the hike is demanding at times and requires a good level of experience in alpine terrain, although no climbing skills are required.
- Garmisch–Partenkirchen
- Höllental Gorge
- Karwendel
- Leutasch Valley
- Innsbruck
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Garmisch Partenkirchen
Welcome to Garmisch!
- Accommodation: Atlas Grand Hotel, Garmischerhof or similar in Garmisch Partenkirchen
Day 2: Garmisch – Balcony path into Höllentalklamm (Hell Valley Gorge) – Garmisch | 11km
A non-demanding hike to the impressive Höllental gorge. Walk up into the gorge and the beautifully located mountain cabin Höllentalangerhütte offering spectacular views to Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze. Take a rest for the final walk up to Mount Kreuzeck following a high trail above the gorge. Return to Garmisch by cable car.
- Walking for the day: 11km, 5-6h, ↑950m ↓0m (return by cable car)
- Accommodation: Atlas Grand Hotel, Garmischerhof or similar in Garmisch Partenkirchen
Day 3: Garmisch – Wetterstein Massif – Schachenalm Hut | 15km
At the beginning of the day, you walk through another gorge to the foot of Wetterstein Massif. Make a steep ascent until you reach the “Kings Path” to Schachen Castle. The last stage to the mountain cabin offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. No luggage transfer included on this day, your main luggage will be transported directly to Scharnitz!
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4h, ↑250m ↓350m
- Accommodation: Schachenhaus mountain cabin or similar (dormitory rooms)
Day 4: Schachenalm Hut – Scharnitz | 18km
You will walk upwards to a mountain pass in the morning to reach the Meilerhütte (hut) next to the German-Austrian border. Then walk downwards through an impressive rocky landscape to the green Leutasch Valley. Then ascend through a gorge and walk to Scharnitz at the edge of the national park of Karwendel. If your overnight is in Mittenwald, you will walk from Leutasch through the gorge to Mittenwald.
Day 5: Scharnitz – Karwendel Valley – Hallerangeralm Hut | 19km
Walk into Karwendel valley (or an optional car transfer to the valley, included). Then a moderate hike will bring you to Halleranger alpine pasture. Enjoy the day, relax or walk up to Mount Sunntiger Spitze. No luggage transfer included on this day, your main luggage will be transported directly to Innsbruck.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 6-7h, ↑850m (6km, 3-4h, ↑550m if using the car transfer)
- Accommodation: The comfortable Halleranger Alm mountain cabin or similar (en-suite facilities)
Day 6: Hallerangeralm Hut – Karwendel – Innsbruck | 13km
A marvellous balcony path brings you across several ridges and passes to the famous Nordkette of Innsbruck. A short but steep ascent requires sure-footedness and stamina. After that, you can walk light-hearted – but better not light-headed – to the summit station of Hafelekar cable car, and you will be carried downhill to Innsbruck (Nordkette ticket not included).
- Walking for the day: 13km, 6-7h, ↑1,150m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Hotel Sailer, Hotel Café Central or similar in Innsbruck
Day 7: Departure or onward travel
Departure on your own or extension upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Four overnights are in superior 3-star hotels and country inns. Two overnights are in mountain cabins, one basic and the other – more comfortable. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view hotels for this trip
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for very experienced mountain walkers and requires a sound level of fitness. Total walking is 76km, on average 15km (6-7h) per walking day. Overall elevation gain is 4,100 m, average elevation gain per walking day is 800m (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available to start on Sundays and Mondays from mid-June until mid-September. The climate in the region is continental, cold and temperate. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but, in the June-September period, the daily averages are 15 – 25C. Spring and autumn are cooler with occasional rain. Expect the weather to change rapidly during the day.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Austria and Germany.
Our recommended airport for this tour is Innsbruck. Garmisch is 1.5h from Innsbruck Airport and 2.5h from Munich Airport by train. Airport transfers by train are recommended for this trip, as they are much cheaper and take less time than car transfers. Visit the OBB website for up-to-date timetables and fares, or check the Omio planner below.
Click to view travel options
By plane
By train or bus
Inclusions
Included
- 3 nights in superior 3-star hotels, 1 night in a 3-star hotel or country inn, 2 nights in mountain cabins
- Breakfast each morning
- Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps (electronic copy + one printed copy per party)
- GPS tracks
- Cable car Garmisch Partenkirchen
- Optional transfer Karwendel valley on Day 5
- Luggage transfers – 1 piece per person, up to 20kg (note: on Days 3 and 5 your main luggage will be directly transferred to the Day 4 and Day 6 accommodations respectively)
- 24/7 assistance by phone
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Optional bus rides to shorten the walks
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Luggage transfers on days 3 and 5 (private transfers to mountain cabins not possible, your main luggage will be directly transferred to the next accommodation)
- Entrance fees into gorges (reduced fees available with local card)
- Mountain cabin sleeping pack
- Cable car Nordkette Innsbruck (Euro 20+ pp)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and attractions’ entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own – available in hotels (4 nights), not in the mountain cabins (2 nights)
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Extra nights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Innsbruck are available upon request
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