Walking Holidays in the Austrian Alps

Price
from £1125
Enquire Book Now
15 June 2024 – 28 September 2024
Our classic Collett’s Mountain Holidays experience, showcasing the best of Austria’s Zugspitz arena
Grade
All Abilities
Duration
Flexible
Style
Self-Guided
Type
Centre-Based
Price
from £1125
Country
Austria
This classic alpine gem is still comparatively undiscovered by British
walkers but it’s a perfect base for walking of all grades.

The Zugspitz arena is a treasure trove for walkers, whether you’re seeking idyllic flower meadows and quaint Tyrolean hamlets, or challenging trails on precarious rocky ridges. The scenery here inspires in every direction, and you’ll be bewitched by the monumental peaks of the Lechtal, Mieminger and Wetterstein groups – including the dominant glory of the Zugspitze (2962m). The border between Austria and Germany runs through the summit of this colossal mountain, making it Austria’s 14th highest peak and Germany’s highest.

Due to easily-accessible walks at varying altitudes, this region provides a vivid floral display all summer long. Orchid pastures are a celebrated feature of the area, and you can also expect exquisite displays of alpenrose, martagon lily, snowbells and bellflowers, wild strawberries, pasque flowers, birds eye primrose and gentians. Many of the local massifs have these flowers all the way up to their summits, providing a particularly idyllic quality to the landscape.

Our base in Ehrwald is a picture-postcard Tyrolean village that enjoys a glorious location, lying amidst lush alpine meadows and a vast expanse of limestone pinnacles and ridges. This classic alpine gem is still comparatively undiscovered by British walkers, but it’s perfect base for walking of all grades.

For many years our base in Ehrwald has been the fabulous 4* Hotel Sonnenspitze, a sublime springboard for a stunning selection of custom-designed, tried and tested walking itineraries, and the invaluable daily support of the Collett’s Walks Team. On this trip you’ll have everything you need for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

At a glance

Dates

15th June – 28th September 2024
(Arrive & depart any day)

Price

Half Board – from £1125
Self Catering – from £795
See the Accommodation section below for more details.

Grade

All grades – from easy and idyllic to high and dramatic.
Choose from three different Walk Packs – Easier & Idyllic, Moderate Classics or Challenging Trails – depending on your level of fitness and experience.
Whichever you choose, daily access to our local Walks Team, who can provide additional routes on request, will ensure you get the absolute best out of the area.

What’s Included

Handpicked accommodation – choose between delightful half-board, or self-catering options
Walk Pack – A Collett’s holiday is all about memorable walks! Your Walk Pack will include everything you need to self-guide – comprehensive route notes and maps for walks of your chosen grade, plus a selection of easier and/or harder options. You can then either focus exclusively on walks of your chosen grade – or you can mix it up – pushing yourself one day and taking it easy the next. The choice is yours! Rest assured – every walk is a tried and tested gem which you’re free to explore at your own pace.
The Collett’s Walk Team – their extensive local knowledge will be on hand daily to provide you with all you need to enjoy the mountains and their incredible features. This is ideal if you have any questions about your Walk Pack, or just need some help with a particular route.
‘Office Hour’ – a sociable pre-dinner drink with our Walks Team, browsing maps, gleaning local information or asking questions about your chosen walk for the following day. Maybe team up with other like-minded guests to enjoy a walk together? Either way, enjoy dinner with everything organised.

Travel

This holiday is based in Ehrwald so we recommend flying into and out of either Munich (and taking the train via Garmisch or hiring a car) or Memmingen (and hiring a car). For a competitive car hire quote please click here.

Your Walk Pack

Our uniquely flexible formula allows you to choose a Walk Pack for whichever grade of walking you are most interested in.
For a typical 7 night stay, this will include 6 walks of your chosen grade, plus a selection of easier and/or harder options.
For longer stays our Walks Team will be on hand to supplement your chosen Walk Pack as you familiarise yourself with the terrain and area.

Easier and Idyllic Moderate Classics Challenging Trails
banner-hotel-sonnenspitze

Day 1 - Arrive

Travel to Erhwald and settle in.
Meet our Walk Team at Office Hour at 6pm (Except on Wednesday’s our Staff Day Off). Enjoy the evening with everything sorted for the following day.   

erhwald-austrian-alps

Day 2

The Three Villages, 10.5 km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  240m Ascent
A wonderful way to limber up, get your bearings and whet the appetite for a week of pristine alpine splendour. The walk unfolds on a network of idyllic trails through pine-scented woodland, profuse wildflower meadows and open wetland, linking the three key villages of the Zugspitz Arena, named after Germany’s highest mountain, which spectacularly dominates today’s views. Each village is an insight into Tyrolean tradition: ancient farms, woodcarving, onion-domed churches and more.

seebensee-waterfall

Day 3

Seeben Waterfalls, 7.5 km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  200m Ascent
More wonders of the Arena await you today. Trails strewn with classic and rare flora meander next to sparkling streams that gush with water from the towering cliffs above. You can extend the route up to the waterfall, where you can spot climbers negotiating one of Ehrwald’s hardest Via Ferrata climbs. At the Brent Alm, choose a schnapps from a vast selection to acknowledge the end of an inspirational adventure.

danni by seebensee

Day 4

The Seebensee Classic, 11.5 km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  200m Ascent
Our most popular walk in Ehrwald. A short cable car ride precedes an easy ascent on a delightful, panoramic-rich forest trail that spills you out at the Seebensee, one of the most photographed mountain locations in Austria. Teal-coloured water reflects the staggering peak of the triangular Sonnenspitze peak nearby. Enjoy a coffee here, or you can push on to the more traditional Coburger Hutte for food and mesmerising views.

Blick auf das Zugspitz-Massiv von der Coburger Hütte in den Alp

Day 5

Pestkapelle & Hochfeldern Alm,  8km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  300m Ascent
Today, the cable car doors open to the sound of cowbells and the sight of abundant meadow flowers. This is the perfect easy walk with a delightful lunch stop at the Hochfeldern Hut. Drool over amazing views of the Zugspitze, pass the beautiful Pestkapelle (chapel) and drop in on the quaint hamlet of Obermoos on your return to Ehrwald.

summer meadow near ehrwald

Day 6

The Plattenweg & Gams Alm Pastures,  7.5km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  285m Ascent
Today, you should see the Tyrol at its most Tyrolean on a highly pleasant ramble that unfolds on exquisite woodland trails and in upland pastures, where flowers and mushrooms flourish. At the Gams Alm, live Tyrolean music is common. Talented musicians clad in dirndls, lederhosen and felt play their golden wind instruments. Listen to the music, sip on a schnapps or look out for wild Gams. A tranquil descent through enchanting wildflower pastures is all you have left to do.

walking around the lake guests

Day 7

The Heiterwang Lakes Circuit,  10km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  85m Ascent
The Heiterwanger Lake is the largest local lake, formed by a vast glacier thousands of years ago. In its wake, it left a gorgeous valley and a pristine blue lake. The circular walk around it is a wonderful opportunity to avoid any hills, whilst gazing at the stunning landscapes of the Tyrol. If you prefer a Fjord-esque experience, a ferry will take you to the end of the far lake, where a delightful café awaits you, ideal for refreshment, relaxation and reflection on your time in the uniquely phenomenal Zugspitz Arena.

Blick_auf_Ehrwald_01-Edit-scaled

Day 8 - Depart or extend your stay

Independent onward travel. 

Looking to stay for more than 7 nights?
Guests who book for more than 7 nights will still receive our standard Walk Pack.
You might want to spend your additional days relaxing in the village, visiting nearby places of interest or partaking in other locally-supplied alpine activities.
But if you are simply looking for more walking, our Walks Team will be on hand to support this. They will be expecting you and we have an extended selection of wonderful walks of your chosen grade for you to pick from – all with comprehensive route notes and maps.

banner-hotel-sonnenspitze

Day 1 - Arrive

Travel to Erhwald and settle in.
Meet our Walk Team at Office Hour at 6pm (Except on Wednesday’s our Staff Day Off). Enjoy the evening with everything sorted for the following day.   

view-across-the-zugspitze-arena

Day 2

Wolfrathauser Hütte and the Hidden Valley,  9.6km,  4 – 5 Hours Walking,  450m Ascent
To start your week, a shorter walk, which will make you glad you came. This is a classic hike in an iconic alpine landscape featuring two enchanting mountain huts and wonderful views of the colossal Zugspitze and Zugspitz Arena. You get some initial ascent via a gondola, spilling you out into atmospheric, pine-scented woodland for a few switchbacks. A loving St Bernard is likely to greet you at Wolfrathauser Hutte, as you emerge from the forest. This hut is renowned for the diversity of its schnapps menu. You then descend into a picturesque valley, which is has a second hut despite being secluded. A fire road completes your descent and then it’s a short bus ride back to Ehrwald.

 

austrian-alps-self-guided-hut-to-hut-29-Slider-

Day 3

The Höllkopf Peak, 5.2 km,  3 – 4 Hours Walking,  600m Ascent
This is a hike to an inspirational and easily-accessed stand‐alone peak. The walk starts with two chairlifts taking to 1600m. It’s a fabulous start to today’s adventure. Soak up tantalising views, as your feet brush the treetops. It’s a gradual ascent on a well-constructed but tranquil path up to the summit. Remember to sign the summit book! Then savour majestic views to the south, which stretch as far as Italy on a clear day.  

The Hollentalklamm (hell valley) - top of gorge Steve and Linda on bridge

Day 4

The Höllentalklamm ‐ “Hell Valley”,  10 km,  5 – 6 Hours Walking,  650m Ascent
This is another big favourite, because it is so different. Reluctantly, we tell you that this is a winning wet weather walk! Indeed, the more rain the better! The walk starts in Germany, where you negotiate a narrow gorge using tunnels and bridges. Simultaneously, below you, a thundering river powers its way down to the valley. Getting close to the waterfalls that follow is irresistible. Walkers submit to the spray, but it’s nothing that a warm drink at the Hollentalklamm Hutte cannot put right. The upper part of the walk is a scenic feast and you will be captivated by the Zugspitze glacier and the sheer walls of its summit peaks.

Hollkopf leaving the peak

Day 5

The Gams Alm & Ehrwalder Alm Circular,  16 km,   5 – 6 Hours Walking,   700m Ascent
A stunning circumnavigation of the monumental Zugspitz, featuring two of our favourite huts, the Gams Alm and the Brent Alm. This classic walk unwinds on flower-rich tracks and trails. Towering above you are spellbinding rock formations, whilst below, you have the most sensational view of the Zugspitz Arena. It’s a unique bird’s eye experience that reveals most of what you have already hiked and most of what you still have to come.

Berwang Village in Tyrol

Day 6

Alpkopf and Berwang Valley,   12 km,  4 – 5 Hours Walking,  250m Ascent
A panoramic summit with sensational views of the Wetterstein and Lechtal mountains. Then a truly idyllic ramble alongside streams and through quaint hamlets. Starting in tranquil Bichlbach, a gondola provides some easy elevation and good access to the summit of Alpkopf, where exquisite views of remote valleys await you. A gradual descent features traditional hamlets, sparkling streams and the gentle clanging of cowbells.

blindsee-walking-holiday-austria

Day 7

The 3 Lakes Walk,  12km,  4 – 5 Hours Walking,  400m Ascent
A real favourite, this scenic circular walk takes in 3 lakes and the source of the River Loisach. A coffee stop mid‐walk and some paddling if you fancy it. Tranquil paths wind through pine woodland to a secret bathing spot for locals with enchanting views. The next lake, Blindsee, is a real gem, often enticing walkers to join the scuba divers in its temperate, teal-coloured waters. And the final lake is Mittersee, a Tyrolean spectacle bedecked by wooden cabins. In Biberwier, try the area’s finest apple strudel, before traversing the Moosweg to Ehrwald, or having another slice and taking the bus!

Blick_auf_Ehrwald_01-Edit-scaled

Day 8 - Depart or extend your stay

Independent onward travel. 

Looking to stay for more than 7 nights?
Guests who book for more than 7 nights will still receive our standard Walk Pack.
You might want to spend your additional days relaxing in the village, visiting nearby places of interest or partaking in other locally-supplied alpine activities.
But if you are simply looking for more walking, our Walks Team will be on hand to support this. They will be expecting you and we have an extended selection of wonderful walks of your chosen grade for you to pick from – all with comprehensive route notes and maps.

banner-hotel-sonnenspitze

Day 1 - Arrive

Travel to Erhwald and settle in.
Meet our Walk Team at Office Hour at 6pm (Except on Wednesday’s our Staff Day Off). Enjoy the evening with everything sorted for the following day.   

austrian-alps-self-guided-hut-to-hut-02-1

Day 2

The Hoher Gang & Coburger Hütte,  15.5 km,  6 – 7 Hours Walking,  950m Ascent
Maybe our most popular challenging walk. Venture out from the door up into tranquil woodland to panoramic viewing points. Then negotiate an exposed, steep and cabled section to your reward, the Seebensee, a heavenly glacial lake, before you climb further to your gastronomic prize, the Coburger Hutte, perfect for appreciating inspirational views over a Kaisersmarrn, a hearty Tyrolean dessert, all in the knowledge that it’s an easy walk to a cable car descent back to Ehrwald

Tannheim lake district - Kelly the Wanderfuehrer

Day 3

Igels Torl – The “Hedgehog Pass”,  11.5 km,   4 – 5 Hours Walking,  800m Ascent
An off-the-beaten-track moonscape hike of flora, fauna and pristine tarns. A woodland trail spills you out into the Igels Torl, a glaciated rock bowl, where Gams scatter over scree slopes as you traverse their space. A short, steep saddle drops you into more moonscape terrain with views of the remote Brendlsee. Your descent is through woodland and floral-rich valleys and then cable car. 

austria-alps-walking-holiday-21-1

Day 4

The Three Huts Circuit,  18.5km,   7- 8 Hours Walking,  850m Ascent
This adventure unfolds in a lesser-frequented valley, which accommodates the annual trail running festival on its wondrous trails. There are three fabulous huts on this flower-strewn and wildlife-rich route, each with their specialities, such as schnapps, grostel and Kaisersmarrn. A long but varied day with exceptional views.  

zugspitze-arena

Day 5

The Bichlbacher & Tuftl Alms,  11.5km,   7 – 8 Hours Walking,  900m Ascent
A classic alpine trek with all the ingredients of a memorable mountain day: exquisite upland pastures, tranquil woodland, glacial lakes and tarns and a wild, rocky landscape high above the Zugspitz Arena, where the views are sensational. Plenty of options to shorten the route if you spend too much time appreciating your glorious surroundings. 

austrian-alps-self-guided-hut-to-hut-01-1-1

Day 6

The Zugspitze Challenge,  11 km,   5 – 6 Hours Walking,  1340m Ascent
A day out on Germany’s highest mountain (Austria’s 14th) featuring lush meadows, craggy spires and the awesome scenery of the Wetterstein mountains. Your ascent, initially by cable car, is on lush meadow trails to a saddle between two towering limestone cliffs. A rusty gate with an eagle insignia is your border crossing into Germany. The traverse of a deep, glaciated bowl reaps coffee and cake at the Knorrhutte, before you ascend a glacial valley of moonscape terrain and snow patches. To avoid the crumbling summit path, a cable car takes you to Germany’s highest point, where the panoramas are spellbinding. A dramatic cable car descent whisks you home.

walking-holidays-ehrwald-in-the-austrian-alps-29

Day 7

Daniel Peak,  18km,   7 – 8 Hours Walking,  1600m Ascent
Daniel looms large above Ehrwald, an ever-present jewel in the Arena. Now it is time to conquer it on a classic circular trek of two high passes and an overdose of alpine scenery. You start in aromatic pine woodland, emerge into exposed rocky landscapes before a ridge traverse delivers you to the summit. Here, it is yet another panoramic feast, as you survey each of your holiday hikes from this outstanding vantage point. Drop in on the Tuftalm for refreshment on the long descent to Ehrwald and celebrate the joys of the Zugspitz Arena over a well-earned final dinner. 

Blick_auf_Ehrwald_01-Edit-scaled

Day 8 - Depart or extend your stay

Independent onward travel. 

Looking to stay for more than 7 nights?
Guests who book for more than 7 nights will still receive our standard Walk Pack.
You might want to spend your additional days relaxing in the village, visiting nearby places of interest or partaking in other locally-supplied alpine activities.
But if you are simply looking for more walking, our Walks Team will be on hand to support this. They will be expecting you and we have an extended selection of wonderful walks of your chosen grade for you to pick from – all with comprehensive route notes and maps.

Need to Knows

Our Day Off – Wednesday is the day off for our Walks Team in Erhwald. There is no Office Hour. However, there is always somebody to meet and settle in new arrivals.

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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