Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Tirolerweg, also known as the Trans Tirol trail, crosses from Germany to Austria through two beautiful mountain ranges, the Bavarian Alps and the Tyrol. It links the well maintained mountain trails of the Wetterstein and Karwendel Mountain Ranges passing through alpine valleys. We overnight in characterful and cosy mountain cabins, as well as country hotels offering a perfect blend of comfort and alpine hiking.
The Trans Tirol trail links the Olympic towns of Garmisch in Bavaria with Innsbruck in Austria. Visit Schachen Castle, hike impressive gorges and balcony trails and cross the Karwendel National Park to the Nordkette pass. Complete the journey with a cable car ride down to the Innsbrucker valley. Fresh mountain air, alpine flora and fauna, and breathtaking panoramic views makes the route from Garmisch to Innsbruck is a walkers paradise. The trail is demanding at times and requires previous alpine hiking experience and a good level of fitness.
On arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen make your way to the joining hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the town. This evening you will meet your guide who will brief you on the journey ahead. for many centuries the towns were two separate communities, Partenkirchen and Garmisch, and still retain their own identities. Partenkirchen was on the trade route from Venice to Augsburgh and is mentioned in AD15. Garmisch was first mentioned some 800 years later. However, in 1935 Adolf Hitler forced the mayors to combine the two market towns in anticipation of the 1936 Winter Olympics. Today the town is often referred to as simply Garmisch, much to the dismay of Partenkirchen’s residents!
If you arrive early and wish to explore further a field we can recommend visiting Neuschwanstein Castle apart from it's architectural beauty, history and location it was also made famous for being in the children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! This evening your guide who will brief you on the journey ahead.
A truly spectacular first day of hiking. We begin with an ascent of the impressive Höllentalklamm, which translates as ‘Hell Valley Gorge’. The route follows the thundering river via a series of tunnels and walkways hewn from the rockface. In 1900 the local alpine club had the idea to create the route to shorten the walk to the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany, at 2962 m (9,718ft). After four years of hard labour it was possible to climb through the gorge. Once out of the Höllentalklamm we reach the Höllentalanger Hütte which has stunning views of the Zugspitze north face. Here we have a true Bavarian lunch before the final ascent along a high balcony trail to the Hupfleitenjoch, a high pass. The trail clings to the mountainside and at times is exposed, but always with a handrail when required. At the end of the day we save our legs, and enjoy a descent by cable car to our overnight in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Ascent: 950m (3117ft) Descent: 30m (100ft) Distance: 11km (7 miles) Duration: 6-7 hrs
Today begins with a walk through the town with views to the skyline and the magnificent Alpspitze. We then enter the Parten Gorge and follow a tunnel system carved into the mountain to the foot of Wetterstein Massif. There is a steep climb up the Kälbersteig through the forest, but the reward is well worth the effort as we emerge from the trees to a truly stunning mountain vista. You will be sure to spend time gazing upwards at the massive limestone cliffs which tower above the trail as an impressive mountain landscape is revealed. At this point we will have joined the “Kings Path” to Castle Schachen, King Ludwig II’s mountain cabin which sits just above our accommodation at Schachenhaus. It is no surprise that the King decided to build his cabin on this spot, the views are incredible!
Ascent: 1500m (4921ft) Descent: 180m (590ft) Distance: 9.5km (5.9 miles) Duration: 5-6 hrs
To view the sunrise in these mountains is spectacular and we recommend you rise early to witness it! This is a spectacular day, and we begin with a steady climb up the ridge line behind the hut. At all times you are surrounded by limestone spires and peaks as you make your way to the Meilerhütte, at 2366 m (7,760ft). The hut sits right on the frontier between Germany and Austria and is great for a coffee stop. From here it’s downhill for the rest of the day as we enter what feels like a remote valley, and descend on trails that are sometimes loose and rocky. At all times we are surrounded by sculpted limestone ridges on the skyline. The descent into Leutasch is sustained, but we are heading for a comfortable hotel and a gorgeous Austrian village which makes up one of the 26 hamlets that create the municipality of Leutasch.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Descent: 1500m (4921ft) Distance: 14km (8.6 miles) Duration: 7-8 hrs
From the Leutasch valley we hike over to the village of Scharnitz, the gateway to the Alpine Park Karwendel which is well known in winter for cross country sk-ing. The park is the largest in Austria, with the majority in the Tirol, and the rest in Bavaria. We begin with a steep climb on a forest track, before reaching the Hoher Settal pass at 1495m (4,903ft) where the mountains are suddenly in view. Then a footpath down to Scharnitz for a coffee/gelato stop! Here we meet our taxi which will take us up the long dusty road along Karwendel Valley. We are dropped off at Kastenalm, a beautiful alm (meadow) in the mountains and the start of our hike to our overnight at Hallerangeralm. A steep trail takes us to a high valley, and surely one of the most beautiful places to spend an evening as we watch the sun going down over the mountains.
Ascent: 850m (2788ft) Descent: 300m (984ft) Distance: 12km (7.4 miles) Duration: 6 hrs
An early start for this challenging day as we head for our first pass, or joch, at Lafatscher at 2081m (6,825 ft). Then it's into the wild and remote Halltaler Pfeis and a balcony trail with some exposure, requiring careful footwork, as we head for the Stempeljoch at 2215m (7,265ft). The climb to the joch is steep and loose, but the zig-zag trail makes short work of the ascent. A descent to the Pfeishütte and a lunch stop, before we tackle our final pass of the day, the Mannischarte, at 2314m (7,589ft). Over the pass, we are on our way to the Hafelekar cable car which is the access point for the famous Nordkette mountain range. The cable car will take us all the way down to the beautiful city of Innsbruck in three stages. In the event of bad weather we will climb to the first joch, but then head down an alternative valley on the ‘salt route’ which in itself is historically fascinating as we will pass the ancient salt mines which gave the city of Salzburg its name. 2,600 years ago the first salt was taken from this area, and today there is a plan for the mines to be turned into an exhibition centre. A great lunch stop at Santa Magdalena where the cake is excellent, before a forest path to the village of Absam.
Ascent: 1150m (3773ft) Descent: 720m (2362ft) Distance: 12.2km (7.6 miles) Duration: 8-9 hrs
Today is your departure day. Your trip arrangements conclude after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The Hotel Roter Hahn is just a few minutes walk from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Train Station which makes arrival very easy. The Hotel has rooms with traditional-style décor, a small spa with heated indoor pool, and varied breakfast buffets. The Roter Hahn’s modern wellness area includes a sauna and solarium. Guests can also relax in the garden which has an area for sunbathing. Guests also have free use of the gym next door, just 15 m away. The Roter Hahn is a 3-minute walk from the pedestrian area, congress house and the Zugspitzbahn train.
The Schachenhaus Hütte is a wonderfully historic mountain hut situated next to the former summer mountain hut of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. You can in fact take a tour of the King's rather lovely summer house. The hut itself is characterful and offers traditional dormitory style rooms, as well as some bedrooms. It is a fabulous place to see the sunrise.
The family who run the hut have been doing so for several generations and on arrival it is a treat to sample the home made cakes! There is a washroom and a toilet block in a separate building. The washroom has separate areas for males and females, which means you can get a decent wash while preserving your modesty! There is also a drying room for any wet kit.
In the Leutasch Valley we normally stay in the hamlet of Weidach and at Raffl's Hotel. The hotel is in a central location and decorated in an alpine style. The bedrooms are tastefully done and many have balconies with a mountain view. For a small extra fee you can enjoy the spa and ease your muscles at the end of the day.
We adore the Halleranger-Alm mountain hut which was built 400 years ago. It is in a stunning location and the sunsets can be glorious. Truly one of the most spectacular places we have stayed with wonderful and amusing hospitality from Evi and Horst Schallhart who's family have run the hut for 180 years. There are even rocking chairs on the terrace!
The hut has traditional dormitory style bedrooms, but also some bedrooms. The toilets and showers were new in 2021 and there is a drying room for any wet hiking gear. The food is traditional for this part of Austria and you will not go hungry.
The Hotel Innsbruck is located exactly where the history of Innsbruck began, on the Inn Bridge, which gave the city its name, and is built on the foundations of the former city wall. The hotel is perfectly located to explore the historic old town area with its beautiful pastel coloured buildings. The hotel is stylish and offers very comfortable accommodation. If unavailable we will use other similar hotels in the city centre such as the Hotel Sailer.
When booking a trip during the pandemic we ask that you keep an open mind and be willing to adapt and be flexible.
Any holiday taken during the Covid-19 pandemic may be subject to change and with little or no notice of that change. As the past months have proven no-one can predict the situation from one week to the next, however, we will do our very best to gauge the best response to any new developments. New restrictions or guidelines might affect where we eat out, which accommodation we can stay in, and potentially transport arrangements if the numbers in vehicles are restricted.
Itineraries may not be exactly as advertised due to new regulations or restrictions. We are sure there will be various scenarios which we have not even thought about that might lead to a change or adaptation in the itinerary.
Please read our Covid-19 Cancellation Policy and ensure you have appropriate insurance as per our recommendations. We also ask that you make yourself aware of the entry requirements of any country you are visiting on your trip. We have compiled a Travel Links Advice list to help you source the correct information.
This tour travels north to south starting in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany and ends in Innsbruck in Austria. Both destinations are easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
Travelling around Europe by train or coach is very easy. We recommend using Trainline and RailEurope to plan your train travel, and Flixbus or Eurolines if you prefer to travel by coach. Please refer to our blog for more information on travelling by public transport.
Innsbruck and Munich are the closest international airports to the starting point making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange. At the end of the tour Innsbruck airport is 20 minutes away and Munich 2 hours 15 minutes by road.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the nights in mountain huts
Additional Items
Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed by the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would ask you to cover this.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The price of a single room is £385 per person or £235 not including the 2 nights in mountain huts.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Please note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
This trip is graded 'Difficult'. It is suitable for those of you who consider yourself ‘hill-walkers’, these trips involve longer days at an altitude of up to 2800m (9184ft) on good paths and tracks. A good level of fitness is required as these treks can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day on rougher paths. There may be an occasional day with ascents/descents of up to 1350m (4428ft). We would expect you to have previous experience of walking on consecutive days in the mountains, and have experience of hiking in bad weather. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support on all but 2 of the nights, which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required. On the nights you are in the mountain huts, you will need to carry just a few extra items in your rucksack.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this.
Each evening you can choose to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover the route:
Alpenvereinskarte 2014: Bayerische Alpen 1:25,000
Alpenvereinskarte 2015: Karwendelgebirge Mitte 1:25,000
Alpenvereinskarte 2013: Karwendelgebirge West 1:25,000
Alpenvereinskarte 2011: Wetterstein -und Mieminger Gebirge Ost 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water that is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 24 Jun - Fri 30 Jun Code: TTY1 |
Price: £1595 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 12 Aug - Fri 18 Aug Code: TTY2 |
Price: £1595 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 02 Sep - Fri 08 Sep Code: TTY3 |
Price: £1595 | 2 more to guarantee | Book |
| From Price | £1595 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2500m (8202ft) |
| Countries Visited | Germany, Austria |
| Meet In | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany |
