Arrival day: Arrival in St Johann in Tirol
Your trip begins on arrival in St Johann in Tirol. A lively market town in the Leukental Valley with plenty of good dinner options for your first night.
Hotel in St Johann (Breakfast)
Your trip begins on arrival in St Johann in Tirol. A lively market town in the Leukental Valley with plenty of good dinner options for your first night.
Hotel in St Johann (Breakfast)
Stage 1: St Johann to Gaudeamshütte
Red 3 (grade) 13.5km with 1090m ascent, 485m descent
The first stage climbs through woodland on the side of the Wilder Kaiser massif, before a final pass and descent to the friendly Gaudeamushütte. We think this is a fantastic way to start your hike; with a night in the mountains.
Mountain hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 13.5km with 1090m ascent, 485m descent
The first stage climbs through woodland on the side of the Wilder Kaiser massif, before a final pass and descent to the friendly Gaudeamushütte. We think this is a fantastic way to start your hike; with a night in the mountains.
Mountain hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 2: Gaudeamshütte to Hintersteiner See
Red 3 (grade) 12.5km with 580m ascent, 960m descent
From the Gaudeamushütte, we bypass the Wochenbrunner Alm to cross meadows and climb to the high balcony path which takes you all the way to Kaiser Hochalm in its superb setting below cliffs. The day ends at the pretty lakeside village of Hintersteiner See, with an optional evening walk along the shore.
Auberge in Hintersteiner See (Breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 12.5km with 580m ascent, 960m descent
From the Gaudeamushütte, we bypass the Wochenbrunner Alm to cross meadows and climb to the high balcony path which takes you all the way to Kaiser Hochalm in its superb setting below cliffs. The day ends at the pretty lakeside village of Hintersteiner See, with an optional evening walk along the shore.
Auberge in Hintersteiner See (Breakfast)
Stage 3: Hintersteiner See to Kufstein
Red 3 (grade) 17.5km with 800m ascent, 1210m descent
Forest paths lead up to an wonderful mountain pass hosting spectacular views across the Austrian Tyrol and a view down to the onwards trail into Kufstein on clear wide tracks. Dropping into the little town of Kufstein with its castle, there is an option to continue along the valley to Langkampfen and take the train back to Kufstein.
Hotel in Kufstein (Breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 17.5km with 800m ascent, 1210m descent
Forest paths lead up to an wonderful mountain pass hosting spectacular views across the Austrian Tyrol and a view down to the onwards trail into Kufstein on clear wide tracks. Dropping into the little town of Kufstein with its castle, there is an option to continue along the valley to Langkampfen and take the train back to Kufstein.
Hotel in Kufstein (Breakfast)
Stage 4: Train to Rattenberg. Bus to Pinegg. Walk to Bayreuther Hütte
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 1220m ascent, 295m descent
Today we skip the long valley section from Kufstein to Pinegg by catching the train to Rattenberg and the bus to the pretty hamlet of Pinegg. Leaving the hidden Brandenberg valley at Pinegg, paths and tracks take you to an splendid upland grassy area and a final descent to the welcoming Bayreuther hut.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 1220m ascent, 295m descent
Today we skip the long valley section from Kufstein to Pinegg by catching the train to Rattenberg and the bus to the pretty hamlet of Pinegg. Leaving the hidden Brandenberg valley at Pinegg, paths and tracks take you to an splendid upland grassy area and a final descent to the welcoming Bayreuther hut.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 5: Bayreuther Hütte to Maurach
Red 3 (grade) 12km with 530m ascent, 1160m descent
Today we cross the mountains to the Erfurterhütte with its great views towards the mountains beyond Maurach. After lunch we descend (by cable car if your wish) to the pretty and practical lakeside town of Maurach located on the shores of Achensee.
Hotel in Maurach (Breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 12km with 530m ascent, 1160m descent
Today we cross the mountains to the Erfurterhütte with its great views towards the mountains beyond Maurach. After lunch we descend (by cable car if your wish) to the pretty and practical lakeside town of Maurach located on the shores of Achensee.
Hotel in Maurach (Breakfast)
Stage 6: Maurach to the Lamsenjochhütte
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 1040m ascent, 60m descent
We leave Maurach for a long (but very picturesque and enjoyable) valley ascent to the Lamsenjochhütte. The climb is steady and we arrive in a splendid mountainous setting with consistently good views of the valley below.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 18km with 1040m ascent, 60m descent
We leave Maurach for a long (but very picturesque and enjoyable) valley ascent to the Lamsenjochhütte. The climb is steady and we arrive in a splendid mountainous setting with consistently good views of the valley below.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 7: Lamsenjochhütte to Schwaz. Train to Innsbruck
Red 3 (grade) 14km with 20m ascent, 1400m descent
Today’s stage of contrasts leaves the high mountains on a steady descent with an agricultural finish. A wide track leads easily down from the Lamsenjochhütte to the hillside above Schwaz and we offer an option to continue walking beyond Schwaz to Pill Vomperbach before catching the train into Innsbruck.
Hotel in Innsbruck (Breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 14km with 20m ascent, 1400m descent
Today’s stage of contrasts leaves the high mountains on a steady descent with an agricultural finish. A wide track leads easily down from the Lamsenjochhütte to the hillside above Schwaz and we offer an option to continue walking beyond Schwaz to Pill Vomperbach before catching the train into Innsbruck.
Hotel in Innsbruck (Breakfast)
Stage 8: The Zirbenweg
Blue 2 (grade) 8.5km with 860m ascent, 490m descent
Today has a variety of options. We recommend the wonderful half-day (or longer) walk along the Zirbenweg, the high trail above Innsbruck reached by cable cars at each end. If opting for the half-day walk, you'll have half a day to explore the wonderful Innsbruck. Alternatively, you can take this day to rest, relax and recuparate.
Hotel in Innsbruck (Breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 8.5km with 860m ascent, 490m descent
Today has a variety of options. We recommend the wonderful half-day (or longer) walk along the Zirbenweg, the high trail above Innsbruck reached by cable cars at each end. If opting for the half-day walk, you'll have half a day to explore the wonderful Innsbruck. Alternatively, you can take this day to rest, relax and recuparate.
Hotel in Innsbruck (Breakfast)
Stage 9: Train to Zirl. Walk to Solsteinhaus
Red 3 (grade) 8km with 1210m ascent, 30m descent
Today we skip the valley section of the main Adlerweg through the more industrial suburbs of Innsbruck and insetad opt for the quick and easy train to Zirl. This is a great way of keeping your legs fresh for the ascent to Solsteinhaus. A tough but rewarding climb awaits. It is all made worthwhile by the wonderful views from Solsteinhaus.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 8km with 1210m ascent, 30m descent
Today we skip the valley section of the main Adlerweg through the more industrial suburbs of Innsbruck and insetad opt for the quick and easy train to Zirl. This is a great way of keeping your legs fresh for the ascent to Solsteinhaus. A tough but rewarding climb awaits. It is all made worthwhile by the wonderful views from Solsteinhaus.
Mountain Hut (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 10: Solsteinhaus to Weidach in Leutasch
Black 3 (grade) 18.5km with 850m ascent, 1560m descent
From Solsteinhaus a loose path ascends the Eppzirler Scharte and descends the far side, again with scree, to the Eppzirler Alm. Although a tough route, the views are fantastic and you get a real high mountain feel at the top of the pass. After a slightly loose descent, an easy track then leads to Giessenbach before an ascent and descent of the Hoher Sattel to Weidach.
Hotel in Weidach in Leutasch (Breakfast and Dinner)
Black 3 (grade) 18.5km with 850m ascent, 1560m descent
From Solsteinhaus a loose path ascends the Eppzirler Scharte and descends the far side, again with scree, to the Eppzirler Alm. Although a tough route, the views are fantastic and you get a real high mountain feel at the top of the pass. After a slightly loose descent, an easy track then leads to Giessenbach before an ascent and descent of the Hoher Sattel to Weidach.
Hotel in Weidach in Leutasch (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 11: Weidach in Leutasch to Ehrwald
Red 3 (grade) 23.5km with 540m ascent, 540m descent
This day is one of long distance and easy terrain, almost all on solid forest tracks. We climb gently to an area in the Gipfel valley known for its alms or pasture farms. To the North throughout, and towering over the sweet mountain resort Ehrwald, is the Zugspitze, Germany’s high point. Hotel in Ehrwald (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 23.5km with 540m ascent, 540m descent
This day is one of long distance and easy terrain, almost all on solid forest tracks. We climb gently to an area in the Gipfel valley known for its alms or pasture farms. To the North throughout, and towering over the sweet mountain resort Ehrwald, is the Zugspitze, Germany’s high point. Hotel in Ehrwald (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 12: Bus to Fernsteinsee. Walk to Bschlabs
Red 3 (grade) 27.5km with 1350m ascent, 1110m descent
Again we utilise the fanastic Austrian bus services to skip a long and less exciting section of the trail, starting this stage instead at the pretty lakeside village of Fernsteinsee. From Fernsteinsee a path rises through a high valley to two cols with a steep descent and a crossing of a scree slope inbetween, before a walk down to the Anhalter Hütte. After the Anhalter Hütte (closed for 2020 and 2021) we drop North and then West to the Plötzigtal and round to Egg and the pretty village of Bschlabs.
Auberge in Bschlabs (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 27.5km with 1350m ascent, 1110m descent
Again we utilise the fanastic Austrian bus services to skip a long and less exciting section of the trail, starting this stage instead at the pretty lakeside village of Fernsteinsee. From Fernsteinsee a path rises through a high valley to two cols with a steep descent and a crossing of a scree slope inbetween, before a walk down to the Anhalter Hütte. After the Anhalter Hütte (closed for 2020 and 2021) we drop North and then West to the Plötzigtal and round to Egg and the pretty village of Bschlabs.
Auberge in Bschlabs (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 13: Walk and bus from Bschlabs to Steeg
Red 3 (grade) 0-39km with 350m ascent, 670m descent
From Bschlabs we drop into and out of the Bschabtal valley and start the traverse path to Gutschau in the Lechtal and then Häselgehr over fields. Follow the Lech before crossing to the Innerhofweg on the North and dropping to Elbigenalp. Valley tracks lead to Bach, then up above Stockach, and down to Holzgau. Climb to the bridge above Holzgau and drop to Hägerau and Steeg. Due to the length of this day, we actually recommend taking the bus from Häselgehr to Holzgau to make the day more manageable.
Hotel in Steeg (Breakfast and Dinner)
Red 3 (grade) 0-39km with 350m ascent, 670m descent
From Bschlabs we drop into and out of the Bschabtal valley and start the traverse path to Gutschau in the Lechtal and then Häselgehr over fields. Follow the Lech before crossing to the Innerhofweg on the North and dropping to Elbigenalp. Valley tracks lead to Bach, then up above Stockach, and down to Holzgau. Climb to the bridge above Holzgau and drop to Hägerau and Steeg. Due to the length of this day, we actually recommend taking the bus from Häselgehr to Holzgau to make the day more manageable.
Hotel in Steeg (Breakfast and Dinner)
Stage 14: Steeg to St. Anton
Red 3 (grade) 20.5km with 1290m ascent, 1190m descent
Today is the final link to St. Anton and a fitting end, beginning with a country lane to a village on a sunny shelf called Kaisers, then a forest track, and then hill paths steeply up to the Leutkircher Hütte. This friendly place overlooks St. Anton and sits in a saddle on the ridge, views superb all ways. We drop on forest paths and tracks to the famous ski resort of St. Anton and walk up the high street lined with shops.
Hotel in St Anton
Red 3 (grade) 20.5km with 1290m ascent, 1190m descent
Today is the final link to St. Anton and a fitting end, beginning with a country lane to a village on a sunny shelf called Kaisers, then a forest track, and then hill paths steeply up to the Leutkircher Hütte. This friendly place overlooks St. Anton and sits in a saddle on the ridge, views superb all ways. We drop on forest paths and tracks to the famous ski resort of St. Anton and walk up the high street lined with shops.
Hotel in St Anton
Departure day: Depart from St Anton
After a last breakfast we depart from St Anton. Take to the trains for a departure from the nearbyby airports of Munich and Zurich. Congratulations on your Adlerweg hike! ✈️
After a last breakfast we depart from St Anton. Take to the trains for a departure from the nearbyby airports of Munich and Zurich. Congratulations on your Adlerweg hike! ✈️
Options
Our popular Adlerweg Highlights trip travels at a good pace through the mountains, skipping some of the more lengthy valley days included in the full Adlerweg trail and gives you loads of flexibility to enjoy the mountains at your own pace. This trip has a great mix of long smooth days with short sections of more technical walking.Keep to the Red Grade
If you're looking for something a little easier, we have a great 12 stage trip which sticks to the 'Red' grade. We achieve this by missing out the section of the route beyond Solsteinhaus which crosses a steep and loose mountain pass (The Eppzirler Scharte) - it is this section which pushes the Adlerweg into the Black grade. The overall grade can be kept to Red by instead taking the train from Innsbruck to Giessenback or Seefeld and then walking as normal to Ehrwald over 2 stages. We also skip the long stage from Fernsteinsee to Bsclabs by taking the bus from Ehrwald to beyond Bschlabs and then walk the final 2 stages to St Anton as normal. Please do ask for more details and we'd be delighted to help!
Make the trip shorter
We can condense the trip in several ways. Firstly, you may consider walking either the Eastern or Western halves as excellent trips in their own right and can be fitted into just 7 or 8 days. Alternatively, you can use buses and trains to shorten our main Adlerweg Highlights route further. There are many possibilities so please do get in touch with your preferences and we can help plan a bespoke trip for you.
Make the trip longer
A slower pace is possible on our Adlerweg Highlights tour by adding in some stages of our full Adlerweg trip. Adding rest days is a great way to elongate your trip and make it feel more relaxed - we recommend taking a few days to explore Innsbruck. Please do ask for details and to plan a trip that suits your needs!.
Additional Rest Days
As standard we do not include a rest day on our Highlights tour as we build in a half-day walk along the Zirbenweg allowing for at least a half rest-day in Innsbruck. We highly recommend extending your time in Innsbruck if you are able to - it's a charming, small city, circled by mountains, with colourful houses and plenty to offer for a rest day. Other places which are worth pausing for a rest day, are Kufstein with its striking white castle, and Erhwald with its sweet village green and proximity to the Zugspitze.
Prices
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Adlerweg Highlights(Self-guided) 5 July to 18 September 2020 3 July to 17 September 2021 |
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| Hutty | Classic | Comfy | |
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14 stages (15 nights) |
Please ask |
GBP 1,550 Singles 275 Main Trip |
Please ask |
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12 stages (13 nights) Red grade |
Please ask |
GBP 1,390 Singles 220 |
Please ask |
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9 stages (10 nights) No dormitories |
Please ask |
GBP 1,120 Singles 175 |
Please ask |
| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer Direct |
Please ask us | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our classic accommodation mix includes 4 nights in huts, 2 nights in auberges (like basic hotels) and the remainder of nights in 3* and 4* hotels. The quality of Austrian hotels continues to impress us; from small towns such as Kufstein to those in villages that are little more than hamlets. For those nights in the mountains, the huts are at a good standard and relatively accessible.
Avoiding Dormitories
We can enquire about private rooms at 2 of the 4 huts (Lamsenjochhütte and Gaudeamushütte); there is no extra charge if we are successful and we'll confirm when sending your schedule. At the other 2 huts (Solsteinhaus and Bayreuther Hütte) it's dormitories accommodation only although they're perfectly comfortable for a night in the mountains. If dormitories really aren't your thing, we can offer a great 9-stage Highlights trip which stays in hotels only - please do just let us know if you'd prefer this option!
Comfy
Our classic trip is already quite ‘comfy’ due to the high standard of the hotels, so we do not offer a dedicated comfy trip. However please ask if you would like to avoid hut nights as we can suggest ways to avoid these, and we may be able to offer hotel upgrades on some nights too.
Hutty
We don't offer ready-made Hutty options on the Adlerweg, because it is hard to offer more huts due to the spacing of accommodation. However, please ask us about the minor ways in which we can tweak the Adlerweg to your preferred style, such as booking simpler hotels for you.
Single Supplement
The single supplement covers the difference in cost between a single room and a double room on a per person basis. The single supplement is only applied to nights where single rooms are available, and is not applied to hut nights which do not offer single rooms. In huts we will book dormitory accommodation, in the smallest room available. In the auberges, we may be able to book a single room or if not, we will book one place in a small shared room.
Our classic accommodation mix includes 4 nights in huts, 2 nights in auberges (like basic hotels) and the remainder of nights in 3* and 4* hotels. The quality of Austrian hotels continues to impress us; from small towns such as Kufstein to those in villages that are little more than hamlets. For those nights in the mountains, the huts are at a good standard and relatively accessible.
Avoiding Dormitories
We can enquire about private rooms at 2 of the 4 huts (Lamsenjochhütte and Gaudeamushütte); there is no extra charge if we are successful and we'll confirm when sending your schedule. At the other 2 huts (Solsteinhaus and Bayreuther Hütte) it's dormitories accommodation only although they're perfectly comfortable for a night in the mountains. If dormitories really aren't your thing, we can offer a great 9-stage Highlights trip which stays in hotels only - please do just let us know if you'd prefer this option!
Comfy
Our classic trip is already quite ‘comfy’ due to the high standard of the hotels, so we do not offer a dedicated comfy trip. However please ask if you would like to avoid hut nights as we can suggest ways to avoid these, and we may be able to offer hotel upgrades on some nights too.
Hutty
We don't offer ready-made Hutty options on the Adlerweg, because it is hard to offer more huts due to the spacing of accommodation. However, please ask us about the minor ways in which we can tweak the Adlerweg to your preferred style, such as booking simpler hotels for you.
Single Supplement
The single supplement covers the difference in cost between a single room and a double room on a per person basis. The single supplement is only applied to nights where single rooms are available, and is not applied to hut nights which do not offer single rooms. In huts we will book dormitory accommodation, in the smallest room available. In the auberges, we may be able to book a single room or if not, we will book one place in a small shared room.
Route
Example of snow on the trail in July 2019
Our approach to the Adlerweg
Our Highlights trip gives you the best sections of the full Adlerweg from St Johann to St Anton, maximizing your time in the mountains and minimizing long valley stages. We have reviewed the route carefully and have selected what we think are the 'Highlights' and then use the efficient and easy Austrian buses and trains to shortcut some of the longer valley days. We also include a second night in Innsbruck where we have a fabulous little day-walk option that we would recommend walking, called the Zirbenweg. It is aided by a cable car at the start and chairlifts at the end, and offers magnificent views over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains.
The Terrain
The Adlerweg's terrain comprises wide tracks through forests, tarmac lanes, zig-zagging hillside paths and steep, rocky mountain paths. At one point, the Eppzirler Scharte, the terrain is steep and loose over scree, needing careful footing. In some places, on optional variant paths the paths, are more steep and loose sections. The Adlerweg has no via ferrata or climbing sections and is a trek throughout.
Is it for me?
The Adlerweg is a trek of stark contrasts. From remote mountain huts, quiet high-mountain paths, pastoral and immaculate villages comes the contrast with the wide, bustling, and at times industrial Inn valley (we actually skip most this in our Highlights trip). These contrasts are certainly part of the charm of the Adlerweg, and add to the overall sense of movement across the beautiful Tyrol region. The trip would suit those who wish to experience a true taste of Austrian culture, across a wide variety of settings and accommodation, from high-mountain, to rural, to urban.
Difficulty
We grade the Adlerweg as Black 3. The stage from the Solsteinhaus crosses a steep and loose pass, the Eppzirler Scharte, and this pushes the Adlerweg into the Black grade. However, every other stage we would grade as Red or even Blue. The overall grade can be kept as Red Grade by catching a train to skip this section – we can advise more if this option appeals so please do ask for more details. Compared with the full Adlerweg, on our Highlights trip we skip many of the really long stages which characterise the full route making for a relaxed and enjoyable walking holiday.
Alpine Exploratory's 2020 research on the Adlerweg will be led by Keith Miller in June
For an even more detailed read, please see our Adlerweg Walking Guide
How to get there
Did you know - Adlerweg translates as "Eagle walk" in English?
Your holiday starts in the small town of St Johann in Tirol and ends in the pretty ski resort of St Anton. The most convenient airports are Munich and Innsbruck with several transfer options available by train, but Basel and Zurich also work for the return.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the huts and in Weidach and Steeg (on 6 nights for our main Highlights trip)
- Detailed Routecards of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The topographical maps needed
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals in the towns (this would be 9 nights on our main trip)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
Let us move your bags between stops. This service takes your bag to each night's accommodation except for the huts, of which there are 4 on our normal schedule. When at huts, your bag goes ahead to the next hotel. Please contact us for a baggage price.
Booking form
2020 and 2021
Your holiday
Got questions about the Adlerweg?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Hannah W, Hannah G and Nicky will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
Adlerweg Highlights enquiry form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
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| Canada | 416-548-4819 |
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Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
Hintersteiner See at the end of Stage 2
Alpine Exploratory
+44 (0)131 214 1144