Overview
A beautiful way to explore the natural and cultural heritage of three countries is on this self-guided holiday, walking in Bavaria and the Tyrolean Alps. Starting in the traditional Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, at the base of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, your journey continues for a week through idyllic Tyrolean towns of Austria and South Tyrolean Italian idylls. Stay in mostly small and traditional hotels, this magnificent mountain walking tour is accessible by rail, and is also dog-friendly.
- Garmish-Partenkirchen
- Partnach Gorge
- Leutasch Gorge
- Resia Pass
- Merano
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Garmisch
Arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This famous Olympic town was formed when the two towns united in 1935. Garmisch is considered the more fashionable part, while Partenkirchen’s cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel.
- Accommodation: Hotel Rheinischer Hof or similar in Garmisch
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Staudacherhof or similar in Garmisch
Day 2: Garmisch – Mittenwald | 21km
Walk past the renowned ski-jumping hill through Partnach Gorge. Walk through the town of Wamberg which, at 1,000m, is one of the highest church villages in Germany, which is why it’s also known as Kirchdorf Wamberg. Walk to Elmau Alp and continue through meadows to Lakes Lauter and Ferchensee. Overnight in Mittenwald, renowned for it’s heritage of violin-making as well as the artisanal skill of Lüftlmalerei (murals on houses native to this region).
- Accommodation: Hotel Bichlerhof or similar in Mittenwald
- Upgraded accommodation: Post Hotel or similar in Mittenwald
- Walking for the day: 6h, 21km, ↑680m ↓490m
Day 3: Mittenwald – Leutasch | 14km
Leave Bavaria and head for the Tyrolean mountains where Geisterklamm Ravine, located high above Leutasch Gorge. Traverse the ravine on footbridges and continue through the high mountain valley to Leutasch, where you spend the night, with superb mountain views.
- Accommodation: Hotel Weidacherhof or similar in Leutasch
- Upgraded accommodation: Biohotel Leutascher Hof or similar in Leutasch
- Walking for the day: 4h, 14km, ↑380m ↓180m
Day 4: Leutasch – Nauders | 14km
Walk through moor and woodland to Buchner Höhe. Pass the rocky walls of Hohe Munde (2,662m) along a downhill trail into Inn Valley. From the historic market town of Telfs, a private transfer takes you to Nauders am Reschenpass in the Tyrolean Oberland.
- Accommodation: Hotel Neue Burg or similar in Nauders
- Upgraded accommodation: Mein Almhof or similar in Nauders
- Walking for the day: 4.5h, 14km, ↑170m ↓660m
Day 5: Nauders – Resia | 14km
Start the day by taking the cable car to Mutzkopf, where the hike begins to Lakes Schwarzsee and Grünsee. Trek up to the landmark border stone, which marks the border between Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Finally, descend to Lake Resia where today’s route ends.
- Accommodation: Aktivhotel Edelweiss or similar in Resia
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Villa Waldkönigin or similar in Resia
- Walking for the day: 5h, 14km, ↑550m ↓820m
Day 6: Resia – Naturno | 18km
Begin with a short bus journey (payable locally) along Lake Resia, looking out for the 14th-century church spire in the sunken village of Graun en route to the trailhead. Today’s hiking route leads downhill into the alpine dairy village of Burgeis, then across meadows and the Waalweg (ancient water channel) to Schluderns. Bring the day to a close with a short train journey through vineyards and orchards to Naturno.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kleinkunst or similar in Naturno
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Sand or similar in Naturno
- Walking for the day: 5h, 18km, ↑240m, ↓780m
Day 7: Naturno – Merano | 19km
Head to the streams of the Sagenweg, passing many traditional wine taverns along the way, which are perfect for a short break. Finally, follow Tappeiner Promenade as far as the cathedral square in Merano, a mountain spa town which is the perfect place to spend your last night of the tour.
- Accommodation: Hotel Flora or similar in Merano
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Adria or similar in Merano
- Walking for the day: 6h, 19km, ↑640, ↓860
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned 3* hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Please note that, in Austria, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view standard hotels
- Hotel Rheinischer Hof (Garmisch)
- Hotel Bichlerhof (Mittenwald)
- Hotel Weidacherhof (Leutasch)
- Hotel Neue Burg (Nauders)
- Aktivhotel Edelweiss (Resia)
- Hotel Kleinkunst (Naturno)
- Hotel Flora (Merano)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen 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
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Staudacherhof (Garmisch)
- Post Hotel (Mittenwald)
- Biohotel Leutascher Hof (Leutasch)
- Mein Almhof (Nauders)
- Hotel Villa Waldkönigin (Resia)
- Hotel Sand (Naturno)
- Hotel Adria (Merano)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen 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 on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate, and is suitable for regular walkers with a good level of general fitness Daily walking distances range from 14-20km. The route mainly follows mountain paths, with some sections involving steep ascents and descents that require sure footing (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. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the end of May till the beginning of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
For more information, please visit our blogs Best time to go to Austria, Best time to go to Germany and Best time to go to Italy.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice for Germany, Austria and Italy.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Munich (MUC).
By train or bus
- Arrival from Munich Airport: take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, changing at Munich HBF (2h30mins). From Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway station there is a short walk to the first hotel (30mins) or alternatively take the bus. For more information visit DB
- Departure from Merano: take a train to Munich changing at Bolzano (4h 40mins). Alternatively, take a train to Innsbruck, changing at Brenner (3h). For more information visit OBB and Trenitalia
- If you are able to travel to Germany and Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Merano. For more details, see the national rail operators DB and Trenitalia or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfers (maximum weight of 20kg)
- Private transfer from Telfs to Nauders
- Cable ticket to Mutzkopf
- Navigation app and GPS
- Digital route description and holiday information pack
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc
- Bus ticket Resia-San Valentino
- Train ticket Sluderno – Naturno
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
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
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Upgrade to 4* hotels
- Bring your dog
- Extra nights
- Transfer at the end of the tour from Merano-Garmisch
