You’ll use your included train ticket to travel from Munich Airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group will meet at 1:00 pm in the hotel lobby for a briefing, followed by an afternoon gondola ride and hike offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Wetterstein Mountains and Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze. In the evening, the group will come together for a welcome dinner. (D)
Distance: 2.5 miles | Ascent: 600 feet | Descent: 600 feet (may vary depending on the activity chosen by guides
We will take an early taxi to the trailhead and wind along rushing mountain streams and past towering rock walls as we make our way through tunnels, bridges, and walkways carved into the gorge. Emerging from the gorge and after an early hut lunch, the route continues upward along an exciting trail hugging the cliff face. Panoramic views of the Wetterstein mountains await us at our high point. We save our knees for another day and finish the hike with a scenic gondola ride back down to Garmisch. (BLD)
Distance: about 6.5 miles | Ascent: 4000ft ascent | Descent: 1200 feet (may vary)
Step into royal history on this rewarding alpine hike to the famous Königshaus. We set off from where we ended our hike yesterday and skirt around the Wetterstein mountains. There is a steep and technical ascent to reach our high point today, where we’ll discover King Ludwig II’s remarkable mountain retreat — a unique palace perched high above the valley, surrounded by rugged peaks and peaceful scenery; labeled a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. We explore the unique property and its botanical alpine garden before enjoying well-earned refreshments with panoramic mountain views at our home for the night - Schachenhaus. This unforgettable hike combines cultural heritage, serene nature, and Bavarian mountain charm at its finest. (BLD)
Distance: 6.5 miles | Ascent: 2900 feet | Descent: 2200 feet (may vary)
From the royal solitude of Königshaus, we climb to the border with Austria and descend into the rugged beauty of the Bergleintal valley. The path winds downward through this imposing limestone environment, with the dramatic peaks of the Wettersteinwand rising around us. In the afternoon we hike through the Leutascher Geisterklamm (spirit gorge), with its suspended walkways, narrow rock walls, and the rushing turquoise waters below creating an exhilarating end to this day. The evening will be free for guests to enjoy dinner on their own. (BL)
Distance: 9 - 12 miles | Ascent: 2000 feet | Descent: 5000 feet (may vary)
We start today with the beauty of the Gleirschklamm, following a scenic valley path framed by steep rock walls and crystal-clear mountain streams. This gorge trail soon opens into a broad alpine basin, where rugged limestone peaks rise dramatically above traditional mountain pastures and quiet high-meadow landscapes. After coffee and cake at an alpine farm, the climb becomes more demanding as we make our way toward the Nordkette ridgeline. The ascent rewards us at every turn with expanding views over the Karwendel mountains, culminating at the Hafelekarspitze — one of Innsbruck’s most iconic viewpoints. At the summit, stand above the city with a panoramic sweep of jagged Karwendel peaks to the north, the Inn Valley unfolding far below and Italian South Tyrol beyond Brenner Pass. (BLD)
Distance: 5 - 9.5 miles | Ascent: 3600 - 4400 feet | Descent: 200 - 400 feet (may vary)
Innsbruck blends imperial history with modern mountain living and makes for a great rest day location in the middle of this trip. Once a key seat of power in the Habsburg Empire, the city still carries the grand legacy of imperial palaces, court gardens, and regal architecture that shaped Central Europe. Famous for its charming Old Town, colorful medieval streets, and the Golden Roof, Innsbruck offers a unique mix of culture, outdoor adventure, and relaxed Tyrolean hospitality. For those that want to hike, we will offer a shorter hike on a nearby mountain south of Innsbruck, with epic panoramas of the previous 4 days hiking. Guests will be able to enjoy dinner on their own in Innsbruck tonight. (BL)
Distance: 5 miles | Ascent: 2100 feet | Descent: 2100 feet (may vary)
A quick taxi ride takes us into our next mountain range - the Tux Alps. This is a less visited area of the Alps and has a wilder and more remote feeling. Our trail climbs steadily to the Torjoch, with a chance to stop in an alpine hut halfway for a strudel and Kapuziner (espresso with whipped cream). After a lakeside picnic lunch, the route continues along dramatic ridges toward the Grüblspitze, where sweeping vistas reward our effort and reveal the vast Tuxertal valley below. (BLD)
Distance: 8 miles | Ascent: 3400 feet | Descent: 2600 feet (may vary)
Today we will join a section of the Munich - Venice Long Distance Hiking route, with impressive close up views of the Hintertux glacier. For those that want an easier day - however not any less thrilling - there is the Hintertux Ice Paradise with the option to take a boat or kayak tour on the meltstreams inside the glacier. (BLD)
Distance: 7 miles | Ascent: 1800 feet | Descent: 3500 feet (may vary)
We are now on our final part of the Austrian Tyrol section. We enter the Zillertal Alps and enjoy beautiful views across the Schlegeisspeichersee reservoir and the imposing north face of Hochfeiler mountain. Our trail climbs steadily through mixed conifer woodland and into wildflower-strewn meadows. Dramatic vistas of the Zillertal Alps accompany every step, with the surrounding peaks reflecting in the serene waters below. As we approach the Pfitscherjochhaus, the atmosphere grows more remote and peaceful, perched at the foot of the border ridge between Austria and Italy. This traditional mountain hut has been family-run since 1888 and offers hearty Tyrolean hospitality and typical dishes of the area. (BLD)
Distance: 4.5 - 8 miles | Ascent: 1700 - 3200 feet | Descent: 30 - 1600 feet (may vary)
We venture deep into one of the Alps’ more remote and untouched corners as we cross the Gliederscharte beneath the towering mountain of Hochfeiler. This high-mountain route leads through wild glacial valleys, rugged rock landscapes, and dramatic cirques shaped by millenia of ice and weather. The ascent is steep and challenging, but every step brings increasing solitude and grandeur. At the pass, we’re rewarded with our first views into Dolomites and our picnic spot next to a glacial lake below us. This is a favourite hike for those who seek quiet, challenge, and the elemental power of the Alps. (BLD)
Distance: 8.5 miles | Ascent: 3100 feet | Descent: 3900 feet (may vary)
The trails on our final day wind through fragrant pine forests and bright mountain meadows, opening to wide-ranging vistas that stretch south across the Eisack Valley and toward the pale limestone towers of the Dolomites. As we reflect on the adventures across Germany and North Tyrol, we get a first glimpse of the magic of the Italian Dolomites — the second installment to this traverse across Tyrol. Once you’ve stood on the summit above Brixen and gazed toward those iconic peaks, you’ll be inspired to return and discover the deeper wonders of the Dolomites on your next adventure. (BLD)
Distance: 8.5 miles | Ascent: 1900 feet | Descent: 1900 feet (may vary)
We say goodbye and continue an onward journey or return to Munich for homebound flights. If you’re flying out of Munich, please book departure flights no earlier than 11:00 AM. The train ride to Munich Airport takes just over 3.5 hours, and the first departure from Brixen is around 6:30 AM, so plan accordingly. (B)
Alpenwild trips are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as strenuous. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 7-8 hours per day on good trails with some steep ascents and descents, averaging 2500-4000 vertical feet per day at an elevation up to about 8000 feet above sea level. Sure-footedness is important and if you have a history of severe vertigo, it may impact your ability to do this tour.
Some days may list a range on the stats meaning that there are ways to shorten the hikes if needed with lifts or local transportation. The group tours will generally hike on the upper side of the stat ranges. Trekking poles are highly recommended on this tour.
Assume 2.5 miles/hour on the flat.
Assume 1200 feet of ascent per hour.
Assume 2000 feet of descent per hour.
