Day 1: Arrival and walk to Bad Wiessee, warm-up walk

Make your own way by car or train to Gmund or Bad Wiessee on Lake Tegernsee.

Your Alpine crossing adventure begins today: after the tour start — we recommend setting off on the first stage around midday — in Gmund, this half-day walk follows the Tegernseer Höhenweg, which runs about 100 metres above the north shore, with wonderful views to the interim destination of Tegernsee (town, warm-up stage). A visit to the brewery right on the lakeshore shouldn’t be missed. After a short crossing on the unique rowing ferry to Rottach-Egern (no dogs), walk along the lakeshore to your overnight stop on the south side, Bad Wiessee; alternatively, a Tegernsee boat trip is possible. There are plenty of dinner options around Lake Tegernsee.

Day 2: From Wildbad Kreuth to Achenkirch

In the morning, a transfer takes you to today’s starting point for stage 2 at Kreuth-Siebenhütten. After a few metres on a forest road, a good mountain path leads through mixed woodland into the first alpine pasture region at the unstaffed Gaisalm. Following the signs towards Schildenstein/Blaubergalm along a gentle ridge, you reach the Bavaria–Tyrol border crest with its typical dwarf pine. This opens up impressive panoramas from the pre-Alpine region of the Tegernsee to the Karwendel and Zillertal Alps. After a little more than 3 hours of walking, we recommend a stop at the rustic Blaubergalm (the only refreshment option on this stage) before the descent on easy paths through the former Habsburg hunting grounds down to Achenwald and Achenkirch (17 km, 820 m ascent, 770 m descent).

Day 3: From Achenkirch to Maurach on the Achensee and on to Fügen

Often called Tyrol’s most beautiful walking trail, today’s stage enchants along the west shore of the Achensee. From the hotel in Achenkirch, follow the well-built path with gentle ups and downs — including short sections with steps and handrails — to the Gaisalm. The route to Tyrol’s only alm accessible solely on foot or by boat treats you to a fascinating mix of waterfalls, varied vegetation and moraine cones above the Tyrolean fjord. There are swimming spots, though the Achensee, at around 1000 m and seldom warmer than 18 degrees, demands a little courage. Via Pertisau and then along the lakeside path you reach the south end of the lake at Maurach, also the departure point of the nostalgic Achenseebahn (steam cog railway). Continue by train and bus to the stage destination of Fügen in the Zillertal (14 km, 120 m ascent, 100 m descent).

Day 4: From Fügen over the Spieljoch to Hochfügen

After breakfast, take a short stroll to the Spieljoch cable car, float effortlessly by gondola up to the Spieljoch at just under 1,850 m, and enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Zillertal mountains, the Karwendel and the Rofan range, reaching even as far as the Kitzbühel Alps and the Kaisergebirge. A wonderful trail through dwarf pines, alpine roses, stone pines and granite boulders leads via the Gart Alm (we recommend the Kaiserschmarren) to the Loassattel and then on to the Alpengasthaus Loas. After a break and refreshments, amble along a partly shady path to today’s stage finish, the winter-sports resort of Hochfügen (14 km, 350 m ascent, 740 m descent).

Day 5: From Hochfügen to the Melchboden and into the Zillertal

Walk through an alpine pasture landscape now found almost only here in the Alps, offering fascinating insights into historic alpine farming. Accompanied by rocks polished by ancient glaciers, you reach the Sidanjoch. The nearby Rastkogelhütte affords splendid views to the Inn Valley, the Karwendel and the Tux Alps. After a short ascent to the Mitterwandskopf, follow a picturesque trail past glacial landforms, pools and along a ridge to the Melchboden. From there, take the public bus gently downhill along the Zillertaler Höhenstraße — easy on the knees. Depending on your overnight stop, continue by bus or the Zillertalbahn to Aschau or Mayrhofen (11 km, 840 m ascent, 300 m descent).

Day 6: Mayrhofen/Aschau – Schlegeis – main Alpine ridge – Pfitschtal

Today’s the day: you cross the main Alpine ridge! In the morning, travel comfortably by bus up the toll road to the Schlegeis reservoir (1,800 m) to start today’s stage. The impressive dam wall — built in the early 1970s for energy and water supply — holds back one of Austria’s largest reservoirs, fed by the glaciers behind. Rushing streams and striking waterfalls, scree and stone moraines characterise the moderate ascent on the well-maintained path to the Pfitscherjoch through the almost unreal landscape. Just before the serviced Pfitscherjochhaus you cross the border into Italy/South Tyrol; at 2,275 m this is the highest point of the day — the main Alpine ridge is crossed. Across gentle alpine meadows and later through shady mixed forest, the trail descends, at times steeply, into the Pfitschtal and on to your accommodation in St. Jakob (13 km, 480 m ascent, 820 m descent).

Day 7: From the Pfitschtal to Sterzing in South Tyrol

The final stage follows the valley floor of the Pfitschtal on a gently descending path — always alongside the Pfitscher Bach — with shady woodland sections, lush meadows beside picturesque farmhouses and stone churches. To finish, there’s a short climb by Flains to tackle, which then leads you straight into the picturesque centre of Sterzing. With that, the Alpine crossing from Tegernsee to Sterzing is complete. Bravo, congratulations!! (20 km, 140 m ascent, 640 m descent).

Day 8: Return transfer and departure

Organised return transfer by shuttle bus from Sterzing to the Tegernsee (car parks, railway station)

An Alpine crossing from Lake Tegernsee via Lake Achensee, the Ziller Valley and the Pfitscherjoch to Sterzing, approx. 90 km over seven stages. Bed and breakfast in hotels and guesthouses, without luggage transfer. Plan to carry a rucksack for the whole week.

Transfers to Kreuth and to the Schlegeis Reservoir, as well as the return transfer to Lake Tegernsee, are included. GPS data are available to download. Dogs are not permitted on the rowing ferry on Lake Tegernsee.

Public transport fares are extra.