Day 1: Arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and first walking day

Make your own way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen,

Drop off your luggage by 10 Uhr at a collection point at the Olympic Ski Stadium at the valley station of the Eckbauer cable car.

After that, your walk begins with a cable car ride up to Eckbauer (1.250 m), then on foot to Schloss Elmau and on to Lautersee. Shortly before Mittenwald the trail climbs again to the mountain inn Ederkanzel, before descending to the entrance of the Leutascher Geisterklamm. If you have the time and inclination, you can set off on the circular trail through this impressive gorge (an additional approx. 3½ km, free admission). Then take the public bus to Leutasch and the hotel, approx. 15 km, 5½ hrs, 550 m ascent, 700 m descent.

Day 2: Olympiaregion Seefeld and Innsbruck, capital of the Alps

Today’s walk leads through the Leutascher Tal over the Katzenkopf into the Olympiaregion Seefeld. After a stroll through the village, take the train down to Innsbruck. On arrival there’s ample time to explore the lively city; the Old Town with the world-famous Golden Roof is especially worth a visit. Then take the public bus to the western uplands just outside Innsbruck to the hotel, approx. 10 km, 3½ hrs, 400 m ascent, 300 m descent.

Day 3: Walk into the Stubaital

The excitement builds: today awaits the crossing from Mutters into the Stubaital for the aspiring crosser of the Alps. From the hotel, the trail leads past the Kalkkögel, a mountain formation similar to the Dolomites, over the Halsl and then down into the Stubaital to Telfes/Fulpmes for your overnight stay, approx. 12 km, 6 hrs, 500 m ascent, 1150 m descent.

Day 4: Walk from the Stubaital into the Gschnitztal

Off you go in the morning from Mieders on the Serlesbahn up to 1560m to the Koppeneck top station; from there today’s walk starts to the pilgrimage site Kloster Maria Waldrast (and monastery inn) – with the mighty 2718 m Serles always in view. From the pilgrimage site continue up to the Blaserhütte at 2176 m, ideal for a pick-me-up after the climbs and a well-earned rest before the descent into the Gschnitztal to the hotel, approx. 14½ km, 5 hrs, 350 m ascent, 700 m descent.

Day 5: Walk from the Gschnitztal into the idyllic Obernbergtal

In the morning it’s straight uphill, past the Trunaalm to the Eggerjoch. The descent that follows leads first to the Lichtsee, a crystal-clear, cold mountain lake. As you continue down into the Obernbergtal, the nearby Brenner Berge greet you, and you can also enjoy magnificent views of the striking Tribulaunen and the Olperer. The walk then continues into the Obernbergtal and on to Obernberg/Wipptal to the hotel, approx. 17 km, 8 hrs, 1050 m ascent, 900 m descent.

Day 6: Along smugglers’ trails into South Tyrol

From your accommodation you continue – taleinwärts durchs Obernbergtal – past the Seebachweg and the St. Nikolaus Kirche to the beautifully situated Obernberger See. Follow old smugglers’ trails further uphill to 2.165m to the Sandjöchl , where you cross the border from Austria into Italy. From the Sandjoch the trail now descends into the Pflerschtal; accommodation is in Gossensass, approx. 15½ km, 7 hrs, 800 m ascent, 1100 m descent.

Day 7: From the Pflerschtal to Sterzing

In the morning, take the cable car from Ladurns high above the Pflerschtal onto the Dolomieuweg, named after the French explorer and geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu. Your walking views are repeatedly framed by the distinctive shape of the Pflerscher Tribulaun. Continue to the top station of the Rosskopf, where you can enjoy the splendid panorama once again and finally, before a relaxing cable car ride down to Sterzing. In Sterzing itself, you can round off the Alpine crossing adventure with a glass of vino or a cup of cappuccino,

approx. 8 km, 3 hrs, 450 m ascent, 300 m descent.

Day 8: Return journey to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

After breakfast, pick-up at the hotel and return journey to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, departure approx. 9 Uhr, arrival in Garmisch approx. 12 Uhr; depending on traffic, arrival may be later!

Alpine crossing from Garmisch-Partenkirchen via Innsbruck and the Stubai Alps to Sterzing, approx. 92 km in seven stages. Bed and breakfast in 3- and 4-star hotels, luggage transfer and return transfer included.

Cable cars, buses and trains shorten some sections. GPS data are available to download. Dinner and the tourist tax are payable locally.

Public transport fares are extra.