Just added and back by popular demand!

Hiking Austria and Bavaria:
From Tyrolean Mountain Huts to a King’s Fairy Tale Castles

Guided Public Departure July 15 - 22, 2010

Private Guided and 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 an elegant 4-star hotel in the beautiful Tyrolean village of Neustift, reached only by a narrow road that travels between high mountain peaks. The hotel has 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 Austrian 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.

This trip also lends itself to a self-guided extension in Innsbruck and to the beautiful Berchtesgaden, Koenigsee, and Salzburg area. 

Highlights

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

 

Land Cost and Payment Schedule

$2,700 USD/person double occupancy

$300 USD single supplement

$500 USD/person deposit

Payment in full is needed 90 days before departure

Trip Rating

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

Itinerary

Day 1 :   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, at a convivial Austrian hut.  We'll hike back to town in time to enjoy our lovely 4-star hotel’s spa facilities. We’ll begin to get to know each other over a welcome drink and a gourmet dinner in the hotel.

Day 2 :  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.

Day 3 :  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 to 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 the hotel's spa facilities and pool, and enjoying the hotel's gourmet spread, we venture out to a Gasthof that is a favorite of locals and features zither music.

  

Day 4:  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.  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 then check in to our 4-star hotel with views of both Neuschwannstein and Hohenschwangau Castles and go for a walk around the idyllic Alpsee.

Day 5 :  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.

Day 6:  Schachen

We’ll depart from Hohenschwangau and drive through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, site of the fourth winter Olympics, to Elmau for our hike to Ludwig’s little known hunting lodge Schachen, first checking into our cozy and historic farmhouse hotel.  It was at Schachen 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.

Day 7:  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.

 

Day 8:  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.  We are always on the look-out for fun surprises to add to the itinerary.

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. on Day 1 at the Innsbruck, Austria airport.

Departure

On Day 8 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

Questions and How to Sign Up

Contact Deborah Lewis at (1-866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), + 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com if you have questions.  Sign-up instructions can be found at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html.

You may also download the full itinerary.

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