Tyrolean Alps: Garmisch to Innsbruck

8 Days & 7 Nights

Walk from Germany to Austria through the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps
Discover Germanic Alpine culture in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the heart of Bavaria
Enjoy a true high-mountain experience with one night spent in an Alpine hut
Feast on regional specialities like Pretzels, Wurst and Kaiserschmarrn
Explore the historical old town of Tyrol’s capital, Innsbruck

Enjoy the cultural and scenic highlights of Bavaria and Tyrol on this self-guided inn to inn walking tour. Your adventure begins with two nights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria’s outdoor capital, nestled at the foot of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Head south on well marked trails to Mittenwald. Continue through the wild beauty of the Karwendel mountain range and spend a night in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps in a traditional hut - a taste of true Alpine life! Descend to the historic old town of Hall, before continuing to the multi-coloured buildings of Innsbruck. Spend a day relaxing in the Alpine-town, and between sightseeing, enjoy a plate of warm fluffy pancakes with homemade jam, known locally as Kaiserschmarrn. As well as one night in a mountain hut, you can look forward to relaxing in comfortable, hand-picked hotels and guesthouses.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

Are you looking for a varied walking holiday which involves a mixture of moderately strenuous and more relaxed hikes? Stay in lively cultural hubs such as Garmisch and Innsbruck and walk in a rugged mountain range. Graded moderate, there are some significant ascents and descents involved, perfect for working up an appetite for some hearty local cuisine! Optional walks allow a rest day if preferred. If you are looking for the best of both worlds, then this is the tour for you!

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent tour.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, Families, Multi-Generational

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Mountains
Alpine Hiking

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is rated moderate. Distances vary from 12– 18km, and the ascent/descent is considerable, ranging between 300-950m each day. Some days are more on the strenuous side (day 4 & 5 for example) and some on the easier side. To get the most from this tour you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using cable cars. The terrain is alpine, and paths are a mixture of woodland trails, rocky mountain paths, gravel tracks, boulder strewn-paths and faint, narrow grassy trails.

Navigation

All of the walks are way-marked and we also provide you with turn-by-turn instructions for each walk, maps and access to our GPS smartphone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.

Experience & Fitness

To get the most from this tour you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using cable cars.

Accommodations

Spend 6 nights in 3* hotels and guesthouses and 1 night in a mixed sex dorm in a mountain hut. All of our accommodations are hand-picked and offer a warm welcome to walkers. You will find an example of the accommodation we normally use below. If these accommodations are not available we will use a hotel of a similar of better standard than those described. Due to Covid-19 health & safety regulations, Hallerangerhaus mountain hut requires all clients to bring their own sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner. Please bear this in mind when packing, as they are essential.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is not available to solo walkers due to the remote nature of the terrain.Single rooms and double rooms for single occupancy are available should someone in your party wish to have their own room, again a supplement is payable.

Meals

7 breakfasts are included in the cost of your trip.Breakfast is always buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. Usually there are also local meats and cheeses, eggs and fruit on offer. 6 Dinners and all lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You may be able to order a packed lunch at your accommodation for the following day, or you can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Dinner is included at the mountain hut. Food in Austria and Bavaria is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese being some of the dominant ingredients! Tiroler specialities include ‘Tiroler Gröstl’, a bacon, onion and potato fry-up topped with a fried egg. In Bavaria, sausage is king so be sure to try one of their specialities like ‘Weisswurst’. ’Käsespätzle’ is a kind of eggy pasta topped with melted cheese and sometimes crispy fried onion– it’s the ultimate comfort food. Bavarian beer is world-famous and for good reason! Enjoy a refreshing ‘stein’ after a day of walking– delicious.

Included

6 nights in 3 star hotels and guesthouses
1 night in a mixed sex dorm in a mountain hut
7 breakfasts
1 dinner
Transfers and bag transfers as per the itinerary
Detailed information pack , route notes, maps and access to our navigation app
24/7 support from our UK and German offices

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Garmisch and from Innsbruck
All lunches and 6 dinners
Public transport (including cable cars)
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Single Room Supplement(s)

When To Go

You can start your Alpine adventure on any day except Mondays between the end of June and mid September. Please keep in mind that the weather can be changeable at high altitudes, and cold fronts can occur even in the summer (snowfall in the Alps at the height of summer is not unheard of). Any time during this period is ideal for walking, mid-July to mid- August is high season and the towns along the way will be busy with local holiday makers. June and July is the ideal time to catch the Alpine wildflowers in full bloom.

Weather and Climate

Please keep in mind that the weather can be changeable at high altitudes, and cold fronts can occur even in the summer (snowfall in the Alps at the height of summer is not unheard of)

Getting to the Start

By Air: Fly into Munich airport where you can take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (approx. 2.5 hours with one change). Alternatively, fly into Innsbruck Airport from where you can take a bus to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (2 hours 45 mins). We can also organise private transfers from either airport to the start point, just ask us for more information.

Getting from the End

From Innsbruck, simply take the train back to Munich airport (approx. 1 hour 45 mins, direct) or depart from Innsbruck airport, which is just a 10 minute taxi ride from the centre of Innsbruck. Train times and more info can be found in English at www.bahn.de/en

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Please note that there is no bag transfer to the Hallerangerhaus (day 4) due to its remote location. On this day, you will carry a few overnight necessities in your day pack, and you will be reunited with your luggage the following day at the next accommodation (day 5).

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which ncludes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel During the Trip

Some walks can be started directly at your hotel, and some require short transfers by local bus or cable car. These transfers are not included in the cost of the trip and are payable locally. Instructions and information concerning public transport will be given in your trip route notes.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

When is the best time of year?

How do the baggage transfers work?

What personal equipment do I need?

How far in advance do I need to book?

Which is the best airport to fly to?

How fit do I need to be?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Garmisch-Partenkirchen Day 2 Choice of walks from Garmisch 8 miles / 14 km Day 3 Walk to Mittenwald 9 miles / 15 km Day 4 Walk to Hallerangerhaus Mountain Hut 11 miles / 18 km Day 5 Walk to Absams - Hall 8 miles / 13 km Day 6 Walk the Zirbenweg 5 miles / 8.5 km Day 7 Free Day Innsbruck or walk in the Nordkette 6 miles / 10 km Day 8 Onward Travel

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