Kitzbuhel to Cortina Tyrolean Adventure

Price
from £895
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22 June 2024 – 7 September 2024
A grand alpine adventure walking through Austria and Italy
Country
Austria & Italy
Grade
Moderate
Duration
7 Nights
Style
Self Guided
Type
Village-to-Village
Price
from £895
Immerse yourself in the pure mountain magic of
Austria’s North Tyrol and Italy’s South Tyrol

On this 7-night self-guided walking holiday, you’ll start in Kitzbühel, Austria, a fashionable resort village with a charming medieval centre. The route then winds for two days through pastoral alpine landscapes before making a spectacular entry into the glaciated giants of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Moving into Italy, you’ll find the startling drama of the Dolomites, culminating at the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps. You’ll finish your trip in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the so-called ‘Pearl of the Dolomites’ – the perfect place to end your holiday. 

On a Collett’s village-to-village holiday, you do the walking – and we do the rest. Our comprehensive maps and route notes make for effortless navigation, while your baggage is transported daily to the next carefully-selected overnight stop. Each evening you’ll be welcomed into the comfort of traditional Tyrolean accommodation, in charmed surroundings.
You decide your dates, and we’ll ensure everything else is organised to perfection.

At a glance

Dates

22 June to 7 September 2024
(Saturdays only)

Price

£995
Early Season (22 June – 06 July 2024) – £895
Single Supplement – £150

Grade

Moderate
Expect to walk for
5 – 7 hours each day, with between 225m – 825m of ascent and 125-800m of descent

What’s included

7 Nights B&B in hand-picked 3* hotels or guest houses
Holiday Pack with comprehensive route notes, maps & more
App access with trail information for use one a smartphone
Baggage Transfers each day from hotel to hotel
Transport as indicated with taxis and shuttle buses provided by our local partner, and tickets for local buses (on Day 6)
Telephone support from our local partner in Italy

Please note that packed lunches, dinners and tourist taxes (where applicable) are not included

Travel

This holiday begins in Kitzbühel and ends in Cortina, so we recommend flying into either Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich Airports and out of Venice Marco Polo Airport

Innsbruck or Salzburg to Kitzbühel

This takes between 1½ and 2 hours (Innsbruck) or between 2½ and 3 hours (Salzburg). Advance prices start from €19 or €25 respectively. Visit OBB for timetables and prices.

Munich to Kitzbühel

This takes about 2½ hours by train (advance prices start from €20). Visit www.bahn.com  for timetables and prices.

Cortina to Venice

The Cortina Express coach service departs Cortina for Venice Marco Polo Airport at 09:30, 11:30 and 20:00 most days and takes about 2¼ hours. Visit www.cortinaexpress.it/en/ to confirm times and prices before booking your return flight.

Itinerary

Cityscape of Kitzbuhel in autumn, Austria

Day 1 - Arrive in Kitzbühel

Arrive in Kitzbühel, a vibrant little town to the east of Innsbruck, in the western Austrian province of Tyrol. This fashionable winter resort is famed for its annual Hahnenkamm downhill ski race, but summer visitors are charmed by the upscale shops and cafés that line the streets of its delightful medieval centre.

Overnight in Kitzbühel

Kitzbuhel, Austria, Church of our Lady

Day 2 - Kitzbühel to Jochberg

13km, 4 – 5 hours walking, 450m ascent, 550m descent (option to extend by 6km and 650m of descent)

The first stage takes you up to the Kitzbüheler Horn. After a cable car ride (€31 for a combined ticket with your last lift of the day, not included) to the starting point of the stage, you can begin this walk at either the Alpenhaus (1,670m) or at the Gipfelhaus (1,996m). On the hike from the summit (Gipfel), you will cross an Alpine flower garden, a unique natural experience of fauna and flora. The path then leads you to the Bichlalm with a wonderful panoramic view. From there, you can either hike further into the valley and then take the chairlift down, or you can extend your day’s walk by choosing not to take the chairlift.  Both routes finish in the quiet village of Jochberg, an ideal place to rest and relax. 

Overnight in Jochberg

day3-kitzbuhel-walking-cortina-walking

Day 3 - Jochberg to Mittersill

Distance: 15½ km, 5 – 6 hours walking, 820m ascent/ descent (250m descent if Panoramabahn taken)

After a short transfer (included) you’ll pass through lush alpine pastures in the valley before making your way up into the looming mountains. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of classic alpine flora and fauna. Via the Gauxjoch, you’ll reach the Trattenbachalm and the Hartkaserhöhe. You’ll traverse the hilltop border between the two provinces of Tyrol and Salzburg before descending into Mittersill. Mittersill Castle (now privately owned) has hosted many famous personalities – including Henry Ford, Bob Hope, Aristotle Onassis, and Clark Gable. It is possible to avoid the descent from the Resterhöhe, by taking the Panoramabahn Kitzbühler Alpen II (not included). A bus will then take you to Mittersill (not included).

Overnight in Mittersill

day4-kitzbuhel-to-cortina-walking

Day 4 - Mittersill to Matrei

Today again you’ll have two choices of route:

Easier/Moderate route: Innergschlöß: 9 km, 4 – 5 hours walking, ascent/descent 650m

In the morning, you’ll transfer from Mittersill to the Matreier Tauernhaus (included), where the trail climbs steadily through meadows and larch forests to the Venedigerblick. At the highest point, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the Großvenediger glacier. The trail then weaves its way in the direction of Innergschlöß, over beautiful alpine pastures, and back to the Matreier Tauernhaus. The quaint market town of Matrei – your base for the night – is easily accessible by public transport.

Higher/Harder route: Hintersee – St. Pöltener Hütte – Tauernhaus: 17½ km, 6½ – 7½ hours walking, 1240m ascent, 1040m descent

This is a longer day with a lot of ascent and descent, but it’s well worth the effort, as you’ll be rewarded with stunning contrasting views between the Kitzbühel and the Hohe Tauern Alps. A short transfer (included) will bring you to Hintersee, a stunning lake nestled amongst towering mountains, and from there your trail follows a historic trading path that winds steeply up through the forest and high meadows. After resting at the well-placed St Pöltenerhütte, the descent that follows is steep in places on a well-marked but rough footpath with open views of the Großvenediger and its glaciers. You’ll weave your way through lovely woodland to the Matreier Tauernhaus, and then catch a local bus to Matrei – your base for the night.

Overnight in Matrei

day5-kitzbuhel-to-cortina-walking-holidays

Day 5 - Matrei to Dobbiaco

Distance: 12½ km, 4 ½ – 5 ½ hours walking, 780m ascent, 740m descent

From Mariahilf (transfer included), shady forest paths will take you higher and higher up into the first alpine pastures and the Gsieser Törl. This was once an old smuggler’s route between Italy and Austria, especially active in the 1920s and 1930s. The views sweep over the valley to the Pragser Dolomites. As you descend into the Gsiesertal, one hut follows the next, offering countless opportunities to sample the amazing local food: bacon dumplings on cabbage, cheese dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn, and warm apple strudel. At the end of this stage you then catch public transport (not included) to your hotel in Dobbiaco.

Overnight in Dobbiaco

day6-tre-cime-walking-holidays

Day 6 - Dobbiaco to Cortina d’Ampezzo

Distance, depending on route: 10km, 350m ascent/descent, or 14km, 4 – 5 hours walking, 1025m ascent, 125m descent

After a short transfer by public bus (included) you start your day at the Auronzo hut. Along the south side of the Tre Cime (Three Peaks) you’ll walk towards the Lavaredohütte, and then up towards the Paternsattel. Here, at 2454m, you can enjoy magnificent views of the 500m high northern walls of the Tre Cime. Next, you’ll make your way to the famous Tre Cime hut before the trail leads you on to the Lange Alm, and back to your starting point at the Auronzo Hut. From there you can catch a public bus (included) to the fashionable resort village of Cortina, often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’. For those in search of a harder final day, consider including a climb up from Rienzboden to the Lange Alm, and making a classic circuit of the Tre Cime. 

Overnight in Cortina

Mount Faloria - Dolomites - Italy

Day 7 - Cortina d’Ampezzo

Today, you’re free to do as you please – either enjoy a rest day in Cortina, or you can choose between a couple of the area’s easier stunning local walks, taking in Falloria.

Overnight in Cortina

Amazing cityscape with high snowy mountains in background,Dolomites,Italy

Day 8 - Departure Day

Independent onward travel, or possibility to extend your stay with extra nights in Cortina.

Need to Knows

Local Partner – this holiday is organised in collaboration with our trusted local partner in Portugal.

Group Size – this holiday requires a minimum of two people. 

Terrain this route only uses waymarked and signposted routes. Trails vary from well-trodden woodland paths to steeper paths on looser, rocky terrain. Certain sections of the route may be considered exposed, and in the high mountains a certain level of experience, surefootedness, and fitness are essential. 

Packed lunches – are often available from your overnight accommodation (purchased separately). Alternatively, it’s easy to pick up supplies for your walking days from local bakeries and markets. 

Maximum Altitude – the maximum altitude on this trip is 2500m above sea level.

Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.

At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.

Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.

Passport & Visa –  any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.

Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.

Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)  Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.

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