At a Glance
Ecstasy redefined; be enthralled by the magnetism of the affectionate “Heart of the Austrian Alps”, the Tyrol region. Walk through the enchanting mountain landscape, experience sublime European culture and unmatched hospitality as you navigate on a 8 days walk of the spectacular Stubai Valley.
Your adventure begins in Neustift where you’ll unwind in your 4-star resort, Alpeiner Nature Resort. The next few days see’s you venturing on panoramic cable car rides to reach mountain peaks to begin your walking adventures. From climbing Elfer Mountain and marveling at the largest sundial sculpture in the European Alps to the ‘Top of Tyrol’, the famous Stubai Glacier standing tall at 3210 m. Traverse the Autenalm farm, one of the oldest alpine farms in the area. Hike to panoramic mountain restaurants where the food is ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel on a twin share basis
- Meals as specified
- Management by local hotelier
- Headwater navigation app for a convenient trip
- Stubai Super Card (access to free public transport and entry to certain attractions)
- Airport bus transfer
Itinerary
Enjoy a bus transfer from Innsburck Airport to your hotel in the picturesque village of Neustift, buttered between Highlands, located in Tyrol, Austria. You’ll stay at a stunning architectural masterpiece, the 4-star Alpeiner Nature Resort, your home for the next 7 nights. Set amongst the tranquil countryside, unwind in the panoramic pool or outdoor jacuzzi, relax in the natural bathing pond or rejuvenate in the sauna. For those with energy for some exploration, make use of the hotel’s prime location with a 3 minutes walk to the centre of Neustift, nearby bus stops and cable car stations to explore the Stubai Alps. This evening, savour a delightful dinner at the hotel’s restaurant boasting fresh, regional and seasonal specialties. Alternatively, venture into the city centre for an array of local restaurants to choose from. |
Level 2, Approx. 12 km (8 miles), 2-3 hours walking Wake up feeling refreshed and confident after a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, ready to tackle the day ahead. The start of your journey will be a memorable event for sure. Start your day by taking a cable car up to Elfer Mountain, you will have the opportunity to behold the largest sundial sculpture in the European Alps. This sundial is embedded in a two-metre-wide footbridge, which provides a stunning view and a picture perfect distance. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Stubai Valley from this platform. From the sundial, you can follow a trail that leads to Autenalm farm, which is one of the oldest in Stubai valley dating around 350 years. Here you can choose to take a detour to the summit of Zindegg which is southwest from Elfer Mountain. The views from the top of this peak are definitely worth the climb. After enjoying the views from Zindegg, you can continue along the trail, taking in the beautiful surroundings of the imposing Elfer massif as you make your way down to Pinnistal and gaze on the rocky landform. From there, you can return to Elfer Mountain. |
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 1-2 hours walking After absorbing the feel of yesterday's stroll, step out today for another episode of your thrilling adventure. It all starts with a gentle walk in the municipality, Neustift. Be amazed how this village is nestled in nature's ambience. The walk follows the Ruetz river, which is a small river that sources from the glacial area of Stubaital and flows through this region. The walk takes you through the town of Bichl and then on to Kartnall, a small village known for its preserved farming traditions. Dating back to the 13th century, farmers deemed this destination a profitable “quarter” of land. To this day in Kartnall, there are many small family farms that raise cows, sheep, and goats for their milk, which is used to produce a variety of traditional dairy products such as butter, grey cheese, and curd cheese. Along the way, you will find plenty of benches where you can take a rest and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley and the mountains as it heightens your horizon. |
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 miles), 1-2 hours walking Today is one of the best days of your adventure as you explore the frosty mountains of Stubai. It is situated at an altitude of 3,210 metres and is known as the "Top of Tyrol" due to its commanding and overwhelming views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. To behold this wonder of nature, take a bus from Neustift to Mutterbergalm, which takes around 30 minutes. From Mutterbergalm, take a cable car to Eisgrat to the glacier and drink in the commanding views of the Italian Dolomites and beyond. During the summer months, you can visit the ice grotto, which gives you a unique insight into the history of this 1000-year-old glacier. Hike across the glacier and stop at Austria's highest mountain restaurant, which offers top rated cuisines and stunning mountain views. The summit platform of the restaurant protrudes nine metres beyond the cliff edge, making it one of the most beautiful viewing platforms in the world. |
Level 2, Approx. 15 km (9 miles), 2-3 hours walking After a hearty breakfast, begin at The Elfer Mountain cable car station which is located at the base of the mountain, and from there you will begin your climb up to Elferhutte Restaurant. As you make your way up, you will have the opportunity to enjoy cooling wind and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the Elferspitze mountain and the rugged, bright rock limestone towers on the Serles ridge. On the other side of the mountain, you will be able to have a scenic gaze at the age-long rock of the Stubai mountains. As you continue your journey, spectacular panoramic sites accompany you past small eateries and mountain huts before your final descent into Neustift. |
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 2-3 hours walking Today, you first head for Elferhutte, a mountain hut located at the base of the Elfer peak in the Stubai Alps, and a beautiful Austrian mountain range nestled in Tyrol. Venture on a scenic cable car from Neustift up to Elferhutte before journeying on foot to the summit of the Elfer peak. Everyday at 11 am, the sun lights back up at the back of Elferspitze (‘Eleven Peaks’) shining in its spotlight from Neustift. The walk is necessary if you desire to capture the Elfer’s beauty in its entirety. Its rocky towers and spikes are certainly comparable to the Dolomites in Italy as they stand majestic drawing all attention towards them. It is an unquestionably rewarding endeavour making it up here. At the eastern Elfer tower, you will find a summit cross standing at a height of 2,499 metres, while the highest point on the peak, known as Elferkofel, reaches a height of 2,505 metres. |
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 2-3 hours walking Start your day at the 2000 cable car station with a satisfying restaurant and beautiful viewing points located at one of Austria's Alps. From the cable car station, begin a leisurely walk through the forest trails to reach the Schlickerlalm Hutte, a rustic mountain hut or chalet that serves as a place for hikers to rest and enjoy the scenic views. The Hutte is situated in a beautiful alpine meadow with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From the Schlickerlalm Hutte, continue your walk to the Panoramasee Lake, a picturesque mountain lake set in the midst of breathtaking alpine scenery. Spend time relaxing and taking in the scenery as you enjoy the views from the comfort of loungers set up around the lake. Once you’re ready, you can return to the Schlick 2000 cable car station to complete your hike. Retreat back at the hotel, be sure to enjoy your penultimate day with a luxury indulgence of your choice; a soothing massage (at own expense) might do the trick. Afterwards, order rewarding meals from the restaurant to celebrate your week of adventure. |
Before departing, consider selecting another walking adventure or activity from the options available. Alternatively, you may choose to spend a relaxing morning with one last refreshing dip in the panoramic pool or rejuvenate in the sauna. A perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before you bid farewell and enjoy a bus transfer to the airport for your onward travels. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Dates & Prices
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Neustift
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Neustift. The nearest airport is Innsbruck Airport which is 16.6 km away. Other nearby airports include Munich 142.8 km away and Salzburg 47.9 km away.
Alps (Austria) is a region with a mild climate. The day temperatures range from 0.9 °C (33.7 °F) in January to 21.4 °C (70.5 °F) in July. Temperatures during the night go from -7.2 °C (19.1 °F) in January to 10.1 °C (50.1 °F) in July. The least rainy month in Alps is October.
The best time to visit Alps is between August and September. During this period, temperatures are between 16.5 °C (61.8 °F) - 20.5 °C (68.9 °F), night temperatures are between 6.4 °C (43.6 °F) - 9.8 °C (49.7 °F), rainfall averages 14 days per month, and 6.0 hours of sunlight on average. Alps is also a winter sports resort, so there is a season for these activities also in winter.
The walking level on this trip is rated Level 1 Leisurely.
Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).
Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).
Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.