Day 1: Arrival in Kitzbühel

Make your own way by car or train to Kitzbühel and your starting hotel; all values given are approximate

Day 2: Kitzbühel - Aurach - Jochberg

Below the southern Kitzbühel mountains, you walk through small villages and past rustic farmsteads. The village character, the hamlets and settlements, and the wonderful setting make Aurach something special. It’s no coincidence that the great Kitzbühel artist and painter Alfons Walde repeatedly chose the church and the little Aurach village square as motifs, bringing them worldwide fame. Overnight in Jochberg (13 km, ascent 540 m, descent 380 m, 4-5 hrs).

Day 3: Jochberg - Gauxjoch - Hartkaserhöhe - Mittersill

Shuttle to the starting point. Hike across lush alpine meadows beneath the Talsen heights and further up into beautiful mountain scenery, enjoying the peace, flora and fauna. Over Gauxjoch to Trattenbachalm and Hartkaserhöhe; along the ridge runs the border between the provinces of Tyrol and Salzburg. Descent into the Mittersill valley (16 km, ascent 820 m, descent 800 m, 5-6 hrs).

Leisurely option: If you’d prefer to avoid the descent from Resterhöhe, you can shorten the route by taking the Panoramabahn Kitzbüheler Alpen II, then continue by bus to Mittersill (alternative cable car: 14 km, ascent 820 m, descent 250 m, 4-5 hrs).

Day 4: Mittersill - Tauernhaus - Venedigerblick - Matrei/Matreier Tauernhaus

Transfer from Mittersill to Matreier Tauernhaus. If you wish, you can also make the crossing from Hintersee to St. Pöltener Hütte and on to Matreier Tauernhaus.

First the path climbs steadily through meadows and larch forests to Venedigerblick. At the highest point you are rewarded with wonderful views of the glacier world of the Großvenediger. Continue on a well waymarked trail, with the Großvenediger and surrounding peaks always in sight, towards Innergschlöss, then across beautiful alpine pastureland back to Matreier Tauernhaus. From there take public transport to Matrei (Innergschlöß 10 km, ascent 650 m, descent 650 m, 4-5 hrs).

Alternative: Hintersee – St. Pöltener Hütte – Tauernhaus (approx. 13 km, ascent 1040 m, descent 1040 m, 6-7 hrs)

Day 5: Matrei/Matreier Tauernhaus - Mariahilf - Gsieser Törl - Gsiesertal

Take the bus to Mariahilf to start today’s walking day. Shady forest paths lead ever higher to the first alms and the Gsieser Törl, around which many old smugglers’ tales revolve. In the 1920s and 1930s it was a much-used smuggling route between Italy and Austria. Views sweep across the valley to the Pragser Dolomiten. On the way into the tranquil Gsiesertal, one hut follows the next: Oberberg-, Kradorferalm or Messnerhütte, to name just a few. Hearty fare is served almost everywhere, with traditional, tempting dishes: Speckknödel on cabbage salad, Kasnocken, Kaiserschmarrn, Apfelstrudel (11 km, ascent 780 m, descent 740 m, 4½-5½ hrs).

Day 6: Gsiesertal - Frondeign - Wahlen - Toblach

The route continues south and the Dolomites are now just a stone’s throw away. From Gsiesertal the trail climbs gently but steadily to the Frondeign crossing, mostly through shade-giving forest. If you wish, you can choose the slightly more athletic variant towards Schuieralm. The path winds down to Wahlen. The valley opens out, revealing views of Neunerkogel, Haunold, Dürrenstein and the Höhlensteintal

(ascent 470 m, descent 440 m, 3-4 hrs; alternative ascent 850 m, descent 840 m, 5-6 hrs)

Day 7: Toblach - Drei Zinnen - Toblach

By public transport to the Auronzohütte. Along the southern side of the Drei Zinnen first towards the Lavaredohütte, then continue on a path up to the Paternsattel. Here, at 2.454 m above sea level, you enjoy a magnificent view into the 500 m-high north faces of the Drei Zinnen. This is where the beautiful northern section of the walk begins, with the classic view of the Drei Zinnen. A footpath then leads to the Lange Alm and, passing the western side, you return to your starting point (9 km, ascent 350 m, descent 350 m, 3-4 hrs).

If you’d like to round off the day on a sporty note, take the bus to Drei Zinnen Blick and climb from there to the Lange Alm, circle the Drei Zinnen and take the bus from Auronzo back to Toblach (option 12 km, ascent 1025 m, descent 125 m, 5 hrs).

Day 8: Departure or extension

Return to Kitzbühel by train/bus independently or make your own way home.

From Kitzbühel across the Kitzbühel Alps into Hohe Tauern National Park and on via the Gsieser Törl into South Tyrol as far as Toblach: varied daily stages through villages, alpine pastures and larch forests, with views of Grossvenediger and the Dolomites drawing ever closer. Finish at the Three Peaks. You walk on waymarked mountain and walking trails. Good basic fitness, surefootedness and a head for heights required. Some stages can be shortened by bus, train or cable car. Extension possible.

Public transport costs payable locally. Tourist tax payable locally.