Hiking Austria and Bavaria:
From Tyrolean Mountain Huts to a King’s Fairy Tale Castles
June 21 - June 28, 2008 (Guided)

Private or Self-Guided Departures Also Available June Through September

Trip Overview

Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures for a magnificent hiking vacation in the European Alps. Two of its most spectacular and beautiful areas are combined on this trip, from the high mountain peaks and traditional huts of the Austrian Tyrol to the fairy tale castles and forested mountains of southwestern Germany’s Bavaria.

In Austria we stay in a five star hotel and spa in the beautiful Tyrolean village of Neustift, reached only by a narrow road that travels between high mountain peaks. The hotel is a Relais & Châteaux property with luxurious and extensive spa facilities, the use of which is included in the price.   Our hiking vacation takes us through lush meadows filled with wildflowers and to high mountain huts above tree-line, where we feast on hearty lunches of traditional Austria fare while viewing stunning glacial panoramas.

We then journey over the Austrian border into the mountains of Bavaria, to hike and visit several castles and lodges built by the enigmatic Bavarian Monarch Ludwig II. Based in a charming hotel near the historic town of Fuessen in “the King’s Corner’ of Bavaria we view two of Ludwig’s castles: one in which he grew up, and the famous Neuschwanstein, which he spent his lifetime building. We’ll hike to Ludwig’s private hunting lodge and visit Linderhof, Ludwig’s most beautiful castle. Returning to the lovely city of Innsbruck, we explore the medieval heart of this city that is perched in a bowl and is surrounded by the Alps.

Highlights

• Hike to high mountain huts and through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and awe-inspiring glacial scenery

Land Cost

(Fees pertain to the June 21 - 28, 2008 guided departure.  Please contact us for a quote for a private or self-guided trip.)

The Bredeson Outdoor Adventures Loyalty Program

Trip Rating

Moderate to high energy.  Participants must be comfortable walking on trails that are sometimes rocky.  You must be able to walk 7 to 10 miles both up and downhill in mountainous terrain.  You will spend 4-6 hours a day hiking.

Itinerary

Saturday, June 21:   Neustift - Trip Orientation and Welcome Dinner

We greet you at 11:00 a.m. at the Innsbruck Airport and transfer to Neustift by private van. 

 

Our first hike begins in Neustift where we ride the Elfer Chairlift to access its 5,886’ top station. We take a trail to Autenalm, through the forest where we are treated to many wildflowers. We’ll stop for lunch, or Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake), or both J, at a convivial Austrian hut.  We hike back to town in time to enjoy our 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel’s spa, or, if we have energy to spare, ride bicycles (the hotel has bikes available). We’ll begin to get to know each other over a welcome drink and a gourmet dinner in the hotel.

Sunday, June 22:  Jochdohle – Bsuchalm – Nurnberger Hut

 

After our morning coffee, a hearty breakfast, and a discussion of today’s adventures, we travel by van to the end of the Stubai Valley.  It the weather allows, we enjoy a gondola ride up to the top of the glacier at Jochdohle --the “Top of Tyrol” -- at over 9,000 feet.  We’ll feel like we have been transported forward to winter, minus the cold weather, as skiers zoom by.  Depending upon conditions, we may venture onto the glacier for a short walk before riding the lift back down.

After lunch, we transfer to the hamlet of Fulpmes and the hike up to the Bsuchalm, another in the seemingly endless series of beautifully-sited restaurants and cafés.  There is an option to extend with a hike to the rustic Nurnberger Hut.

Monday, June 23:  Oberberg Valley – Franz Senn Hut

 

We travel up the wonderfully remote Oberberg Valley to the start of our hike at the Oberriss Hut, driving at a sedate pace so as to avoid the cows that also share the road at times.  We hike up to the classic Franz Senn Hut where we have lunch.  Those who wish can then spend the afternoon exploring a number of trails from the Franz Senn Hut, perhaps hiking up to the Rinnen Lake and back.  Alternatively, some may wish to spend the afternoon enjoying the view, writing post cards, and eating apple strudel.  We’ll hike back to the Oberriss Hut for the return to the hotel.

After relaxing in one or more of the seemingly endless spa facilities, and enjoying the Jagdhof’s gourmet spread, we venture out to a Gasthof that is a favorite of locals and features zither music.

  

Tuesday, June 24:  Ettal – Linderhof – Wieskirche - Hohenschwangau

 

We board our van for a drive through the mountains on the Deutsche Alpenstrasse (German Alpine Road) to Bavaria via the violin-making town of Mittenwald to Linderhof Castle.  We’ll start our walk in the village of Ettal with its large monastery, hike on to the village of Graswang for lunch at its historic mill, arriving at Linderhof on foot.   Linderhof is arguably Ludwig’s most beautiful castle and we’ll have a chance to tour it before continuing by van to Hohenschwangau via the Wieskirche (church), an 18th century Rococo Church that is a Unesco World Heritage Site.   We’ll check in to our four star hotel with views view of both Neuschwannstein and Hohenschwangau Castles.

Wednesday, June 25:  Tegelberg – Bleckenau - Neuschwannstein

 

Today is a high point of a trip that is full of high points.  We’ll have views of mountain peaks and castles for much of the day, and, just to top it off, we’ll hike through a beautiful gorge.  Our hike today starts with a cable car ride to the top of Tegelberg, a hike through Pollat Gorge and then a tour of Neuschwannstein, Ludwig II’s most fanciful castle, an 19th century knight’s fortress based on German sagas and Ludwig’s obsession with the music of Richard Wagner.  We’ll stop for lunch during the hike at the Bleckenau, a former hunting lodge of Bavarian royalty.   Dinner tonight will be on your own, giving you the opportunity to explore the medieval town of neighboring Fuessen, with its Benedictine Abbey, the Lech River cascading down through town, and its own high castle.

Thursday, June 26:  Schachen

We’ll drive through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, site of the fourth winter Olympics, to Elmau where we’ll start our hike to Ludwig’s little known hunting lodge Schachen.  It was here that Ludwig got away from it all in a both geographic and historical sense.  Hidden on the second story of this typically timber-framed Alpine house is a secret Turkish room where Ludwig’s servants would wait on him in Oriental attire.   Our hike will take us through the woods at first, after which we’ll emerge to a view of the lodge beneath the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.  We’ll tour the lodge and have lunch here and perhaps, as time permits, visit the nearby Alpine garden.

Friday, June 27:  Innsbruck  

Today we’ll leave Bavaria and return to Innsbruck in Tyrol where we’ll have the afternoon free to explore the Altstadt (Old Town) of this beautiful city on foot.  For the diehard walkers in the group we’ll offer an optional hike in the hills surrounding Innsbruck.  Our farewell dinner tonight will be in the roof top restaurant of our charming 4 star hotel.

 

Saturday, June 28:  Farewell to Austria and Bavaria

 

After breakfast we transfer to the Innsbruck airport by 9:00 for departure to the U.S. or other destinations.

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events or weather.  We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise.  Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Transportation

A private van or car will pick you up at the airport, and transport you to and from daily hikes.  A short taxi ride will return you to the Innsbruck airport at the end of the trip.  Cablecars (included in the price) will also transport us to several of our outings and hikes.

Meeting Point and Time

11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21 at the Innsbruck, Austria airport.

Departure

On Saturday, June 28 we will depart the Innsbruck hotel for the 4-mile transfer to the Innsbruck Airport by 9:00.

Included in Price

Not Included in Price

A Note Regarding the Price and the Exchange Rate

Most trip expenses are paid in Euros by Bredeson Outdoor Adventures.  Due to the volatility of currency markets, we may be forced to raise (or lower) our trip price.  If so, your final invoice, sent out approximately 100 days before departure, will reflect the difference in the dollar portion.  Please note:  we have never had to do this in the past and expect not to have to do this in the future.  However, we do reserve the right.

Pre- and Post-Trip Extension

If you wish to arrive in Innsbruck before June 21 or stay after June 28, please let us know.  While you would need to pay the hotel directly for a pre- or post-trip extension, we would be delighted to make an inquiry on your behalf.  We are also happy to make recommendations for other pre- or post-trip extensions.

Group Size

A minimum of four guests will be required for this trip to take place.  The group will be held to a maximum of eight guests.  Before making your travel arrangements, please contact us to make sure that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants and is taking place.

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies and is determined by the day that we receive written notification:

We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. Please contact Deborah Lewis (866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295; dlewis@bredeson.com) if you would like information on trip cancellation, interruption and health care insurance.

Trip Prospectus, Questions or Sign-Up Form

Please contact Deborah Lewis at 866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com for a copy of the trip prospectus, questions, or a sign-up form.

 

After We Receive Your Reservation

After we have received your reservation, we will provide you with detailed additional information including joining instructions, a packing list, a reading list, and other trip preparation details. 

 

We hope that you will join us on this grand adventure!

 

Contact us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com