Trans Tyrol - Garmisch to Innsbruck Hike
Trans Tyrol - Garmisch to Innsbruck Hike
Trans Tyrol - Garmisch to Innsbruck Hike
7 Days Starting in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany and ending in Innsbruck, Austria
Visiting: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Wetterstein Massif, Scharnitz, Karwendel Valley, Innsbruck
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TGI
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Trans Tyrol - Garmisch to Innsbruck" tour, traversing the stunning landscapes of Germany and Austria. This self-guided hiking journey takes you through the breathtaking Wetterstein and Karwendel ranges, offering some of the best hiking in the Alps. Explore the historic Schachen Castle, walk through the dramatic Hollental Gorge, and enjoy panoramic views from balcony paths. Experience the serene beauty of the Karwendel Valley and the famous Nordkette of Innsbruck. Accommodations include comfortable mountain hotels and cozy mountain huts, providing a warm and engaging atmosphere. This tour is perfect for experienced hikers seeking a challenging and scenic adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Garmisch
On arrival in Garmisch make your way to the joining hotel. At the hotel you will be provided with your cable car tickets and route book (one of each per room). The rest of the day is free to explore the town. Overnight in hotel in Garmisch.
Day 2 : Balcony Path Through The Impressive Höllental Gorge (5Hrs)
Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Garmisch
Meals Included: Dinner
The walk begins with an interesting ascent through the impressive Höllental (or Hell Valley) gorge. The route takes you through a series of canyons and tunnels hewn from the rockface and follows the thundering river below. Out of the canyon you reach the mountain cabin Höllentalanger hütte which has an impressive location surrounded by stunning alpine scenery including a view to the highest mountain in Germany, Zugspitze (2962m). Here you can take a rest before the final ascent to the Kreuzberg following a high trail above the gorge. Descend to Garmisch by cable car. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Walking: 10.9km/6.7mi, 950m/3117ft ascent (descent by cable car). Highest point: 1747m/5731ft
Day 3 : Ascend Trails On Wetterstein Massif To A Mountain Hut, Visiting Schachen Castle Enroute (4.5Hrs)
Location: Wetterstein Massif
Accommodation Name: Mountain cabin
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day begins with a walk through another gorge to the foot of Wetterstein Massif. There is a steep climb to reach the “Kings Path” to Castle Schachen, King Ludwig II’s mountain cabin. The last stage to the mountain cabin where you stay tonight offers hikers incredible mountain views and is an absolute delight.
Walking: 9.5km/5.9mi, 1500m/4921ft ascent. Highest point: 1863m/6112ft
*Note – on this day there is no luggage transfer available so you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your day pack. The rest of your luggage will be transferred to tomorrow's accommodation in Scharnitz or Mittenwald.
Day 4 : View Sunrise Over The Mountains Before Descending To Scharnitz Or Mittenwald (7.5Hrs)
Location: Scharnitz
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Scharnitz or Mittenwald
Meals Included: Breakfast
To view the sunrise in these mountains is spectacular and we recommend rising early! In the morning you will ascend to the mountain pass where the Meilerhütte (hut) is next to the border. From here you head down through an impressive rocky landscape to the green Leutasch valley. Continuing upwards and through a gorge you will walk to Scharnitz at the edge of the national park of Karwendel. Or if you are booked to stay overnight in Mittenwald, you will walk from Leutasch through the gorge to Mittenwald. Overnight in Scharnitz or Mittenwald, where your luggage will await your arrival.
It's possible to shorten today's walking by taking a bus transfer.
Walking: 17.9km/11.1mi, 910m/2986ft ascent, 1820m/5971ft descent. Highest point: 2375m/7792ft
Day 5 : Transfer And Walk In The Karwendel Valley (2.5 With Transfer Or 5Hrs)
Location: Karwendel Valley
Accommodation Name: Mountain cabin
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day begins with a vehicle transfer deep into Karwendel valley. The relaxed walk takes you to Halleranger alpine pasture which you will reach after about 2 hours. The day is designed for you to relax and soak up the scenery. Option to take a walk up to Sunntiger Spitze. Overnight comfortable mountain cabin. The walking times and ascent will be greater if you choose not to take the vehicle transfer at the start of the day:
Walking with the transfer: 5.6km/3.5mi, 550m/1804ft ascent
Walking without the transfer: 19km/11.8mi, 850m/2789ft ascent. Highest point: 1765m/5790ft
*Note – on this day there is no luggage transfer available so you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your day pack. The rest of your luggage will be transferred to Innsbruck.
Day 6 : Balcony Path To The Famous Nordkette Of Innsbruck (6Hrs)
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
A marvellous balcony path brings you across several ridges (passes) to the famous Nordkette of Innsbruck. A short but steep ascent requires sure-footedness and stamina. After the ascent the walk becomes easier to the summit station of Hafelekar cable car, which you take down to Innsbruck. Your luggage will await your arrival.
Walking: 12.2km/7.6mi, 1150m/3773ft ascent, 720m/2362ft descent. Highest point: 2224m/7296ft
Day 7 : Trip Concludes
Location: Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrangements conclude after breakfast. We can assist with additional night in Innsbruck, please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights mountain hotels -
6 breakfasts - continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, meats, cheeses, coffee, tea and juices.
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3 nights accommodation in 3-4 star mountain hotels, 1 night B&B & 2 nights in mountain cabins or huts (dorm rooms with up to 12 people in bunks, usually less)
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Luggage transfer,1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess (except to the mountain huts on days 3 & 5 - carry your overnight needs on these days)
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Cable car Garmisch-Partenkirchen on day 2
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Transfer in Karwendel Valley on day 5
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Information pack including route notes and maps per room
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Garmisch Partenkirchen and from Innsbruck
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
What's Not Included
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Travel to Garmisch Partenkirchen and from Innsbruck
Travel to the starting location and from the ending location is not included.
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Meals not listed as included
Meals not listed as included, drinks are not provided.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Entrance fees into gorges
Entrance fees into gorges are not included.
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Tour guide
This is a self-guided trip.
For a supplement, you can join a guided departure. -
Transfers not listed included
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.
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Luggage transfers to and from mountain huts
You need to carry your overnight requirements in your day pack on days 3 & 5.
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Hut sleeping pack
A lightweight cotton/silk sleeping bag liner is mandatory (blankets are available in the huts).
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Cable car Nordkette Innsbruck
Cable car ride in Innsbruck - allow EUR20-25 per person.
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Local city tax
Local city tax is not included.
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Excess luggage
Excess luggage is not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature including laundry, phone calls, etc.
are not included.
Accommodation
4 nights mountain hotels. Accommodation is in a combination of 3 star mountain hotels (Garmisch, Scharnitz and Innsbruck, on a halfboard basis) which are comfortable with en-suite, and mountain huts/cabins. The mountain huts are surprisingly comfortable, generally with excellent mountain views, hearty cuisine and a warm and engaging atmosphere. In the mountain huts you will generally have 2 to 4 hikers per room and bathrooms are shared. Mountain huts are on a bed & breakfast basis. Dinners can be taken in the hotel / hut dining room or nearby restaurants. Lunch is not included. You can purchase picnic supplies in the towns or purchase a lunch from accommodation providers the night before. It is always good to have snacks with you particularly when you are staying in the huts where supplies are limited.
Grading
GRADE 5 - Anyone undertaking a challenging trip should be aware of the physical and mental demands involved. This trip is designed for experienced walkers who are seeking a challenge. No previous climbing experience is required to undertake this trip. An above average level of fitness is required as days can involve up to 7.5 hours of strenuous exercise in rugged terrain. You need to be sure footed and have a head for heights as there are some steep drops close to the paths. Weather conditions may be harsh at times (even in summer), and you will need to be comfortable walking in such conditions. We suggest up to one hour of strenuous exercise 3-4 times a week. The best exercise for trekking is long bushwalks/hill walks involving relatively steep ascents and descents.
What You Carry
The walks are fully supported* so you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc. * Except on days 3 & 5 where you need to carry your overnight requirements.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Garmisch Partenkirchen and from Innsbruck. Luggage transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess (except to the mountain huts on days 3 & 5 - carry your overnight needs on these days). Cable car Garmisch-Partenkirchen on day 2. Transfer in Karwendel Valley on day 5.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a combination of 3-star mountain hotels and mountain huts/cabins. The hotels in Garmisch, Scharnitz, and Innsbruck are comfortable with en-suite facilities and are on a half-board basis. The mountain huts are surprisingly comfortable, generally with excellent mountain views, hearty cuisine, and a warm and engaging atmosphere. In the mountain huts, you will generally have 2 to 4 hikers per room, and bathrooms are shared. The huts are on a bed & breakfast basis, and dinners can be taken in the hotel/hut dining room or nearby restaurants.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 6 continental breakfasts, which usually consist of breads, jams, meats, cheeses, coffee, tea, and juices. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase picnic supplies in the towns or from accommodation providers the night before. It is always good to have snacks with you, particularly when staying in the huts where supplies are limited.
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Do I need to carry my luggage during the hikes?
Luggage transfer is provided for one piece of luggage up to 20kg, with a supplement applying for excess weight. However, on days 3 and 5, you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your day pack as there is no luggage transfer available to the mountain huts on these days.
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Is this tour suitable for beginners?
This tour is graded as challenging and is designed for experienced walkers who are seeking a challenge. An above-average level of fitness is required as days can involve up to 7.5 hours of strenuous exercise in rugged terrain. You need to be sure-footed and have a head for heights as there are some steep drops close to the paths. No previous climbing experience is required, but you should be comfortable walking in potentially harsh weather conditions.
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What should I carry in my daypack during the hikes?
You should carry your daily requirements in your daypack, including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, a water bottle, a warm top, and a phone. On days 3 and 5, you will also need to carry your overnight requirements as there is no luggage transfer available to the mountain huts on these days.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, there are several additional costs not included in the tour price. These include travel to Garmisch Partenkirchen and from Innsbruck, meals not listed as included, travel insurance, entrance fees into gorges, transfers not listed as included, luggage transfers to and from mountain huts, a hut sleeping pack, the cable car ride in Innsbruck, local city tax, excess luggage, and items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls.
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Is there an emergency support system in place during the tour?
Yes, you will have access to an emergency hotline during the tour.
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Can I join a guided departure instead of a self-guided trip?
Yes, for a supplement, you can join a guided departure instead of the self-guided trip.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.