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Salzburg to Innsbruck
Renowned for its stunning alpine scenery, exuberant baroque-style architecture and unrivalled musical tradition, Austria provides the setting for both an invigorating and culturally enriching hiking adventure. Join us as we revel in the charm and grace of Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace; hike in the mountains that surround two-time Winter Olympic host, Innsbruck; and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and cultural history of the spectacular Tyrol region. We'll explore the Wild Kaiser mountain range, a land of skyscraping limestone peaks towering above lush green valleys, before heading south to the glaciated central Alps and Hohe Tauern National Park. Our challenging hikes lead us to sapphire-colored lakes, wildflower-strewn meadows, quaint alpine villages and dramatic overlooks where the entire Tyrolean panorama unfolds before our eyes. We spend our evenings in small, comfortable hotels and enjoy the flavors of authentic local cuisine throughout.
Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
Salzburg to Innsbruck Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Munich, Germany. Arrive in Munich this morning; one group transfer from the Munich airport to our hotel in Salzburg will be arranged for mid-morning. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have some time to relax and eat lunch on our own before setting out on a guided walking tour of this beautiful city. Our stroll takes us down narrow cobblestone streets past many architecturally and historically significant buildings including the Salzburger Cathedral, the Hohen Fortress and the birthplace of Mozart. The tantalizing smells escaping from a local pastry shop are sure to lure us in for a delicious snack! We’ll have dinner tonight at our hotel located within walking distance of the old city and originally built in the 14th-century. Driving time from Munich to Salzburg is approximately 2½ hours. Dinner included.
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Day 2
We depart Salzburg after breakfast and drive for 1½ hours to our first trailhead. The Wild Kaiser (or “Wild Emperor”) Mountain Range, features a jagged skyline of limestone spires and dramatic cliffs and offers an abundance of great hiking opportunities. Today’s outstanding hike is along a loop trail that initially leads to a quaint alpine “cowboy house”, currently occupied by a local herder. If we’re lucky enough to catch the owner at home, we’ll be treated to a tour of the charming cottage, originally built in the 1780’s. Setting out again, we traverse the front side of beautiful Wild Kaiser Mountain enjoying a hearty lunch at a full-service mountain hut before we begin the descent to our waiting vehicle. Our lodging for the next two nights is near the village of St. Johann at the Griesner Alm, an enchanting alpine guesthouse nestled below limestone pinnacles thousands of feet high. Hiking: 5-6 hours with 2,218’ elevation gain. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 3
Today's hike conveniently begins right from the front door of our guesthouse as we ascend to Stripsenjoch Mountain House for lunch and impressive views of the majestic north side of Wild Kaiser Mountain. Trip members interested in extending their walk can continue on after lunch for an additional hour to the top of Feldberg Peak (5,983'). We return to the Griesner Alm again this evening and enjoy a delicious Tyrolean dinner prepared by the guesthouse chef. Hiking time: 4-6 hours with 1,940' elevation gain to Stripsenjoch and an additional 780' to Feldberg Peak. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 4
Having completed several hikes in the northern limestone ranges, we travel south today to the glaciated peaks of the central Alps and Hohe Tauern – Europe’s largest national park. to the base of Austria’s highest peak, the mighty Grossglockner (12,454’). Our hike takes us through an old glacial valley to a mountain house located directly under the summit block. Our lofty perch offers amazing views of a nearby active icefall as well as Austria’s highest alpine region. Our lodging for the next two evenings will be in a small hotel in the village of Mittersill. Hiking time: 6-7 hours with 2,920’ elevation gain. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 5
The first portion of today’s hike finds us ascending alongside Krimml Falls, a magnificent tri-level cascade and the highest waterfall in Europe (the three falls combined plummet 1,246 feet). Upon reaching the top, a shuttle vehicle transports us to the end of a remote mountain valley where we continue our hike under hanging glaciers up to Warnsdorfer Hut, the location of our lunch stop. An optional short walk from the hut leads up to picturesque “Ice Lake”, filled with recently calved chunks of floating ice from a nearby active glacier. After an excellent lunch in the hut, we descend to a traditional cheese producing cottage where we can sample the fresh and delicious locally-produced cheese. We return to Mittersill this evening for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Hiking time: 5-6 hours with 1,400 elevation gain to top of Krimml Falls, additional 1,300’ to Warnsdorfer Hut and 300’ from Warnsdorfer Hut to Ice Lake. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 6
The Rofan Mountains, located along our route to Innsbruck, are the location of our day's hike. An exciting cable car ride above sparkling Lake Achen smoothly shuttles us to our high trailhead (6,042') where our walk begins. The trail leads to the top of the highest peak in the range where our uphill efforts are rewarded with unsurpassed and airy panoramas of the nearby Karwendal Mountains and surrounding Tyrolean countryside. This afternoon, we jump back in our van and relax during the drive to Innsbruck where we'll spend the next three evenings. Founded in 1180 A.D., Innsbruck is considered to be the capital of the Austrian Tyrol and we'll have time during our stay to wander the streets filled with baroque-style architecture and enjoy the hiking opportunities in the nearby mountains. Our hotel is located in the heart of the old city and was host to Mozart and his father during a family trip to Italy. Dinner tonight at historic Ottoburg Castle. Hiking: 4-5 hours with 1,412' elevation gain. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 7
A free day is scheduled for today to explore lovely Innsbruck, perhaps visiting a few of the numerous museums and palaces, souvenir shopping in the city center or riding the famous Nordkette Tram; the remarkable cable car system that climbs 5,000 vertical feet to the crest of the Karwendal Mountains rising directly behind the town. Our guides will also be leading a hike into the nearby Wetterstein Mountains for those looking for a more active day. After dinner, we can join resident Innsbruckers for a leisurely Friday evening stroll or choose to relax at a local pub with a half-liter of some of the best beer in the world. Hiking: 4-6 hours with 1,800' elevation gain to lunch stop and an option for an additional 1,090' to viewpoint. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 8
Our final day of hiking starts in the gorgeous Gschnitz Valley, an hour's drive from downtown Innsbruck. Our biggest elevation gain of the adventure begins as we climb out of the valley to Innsbrucker Hut (7,820'). The trails in this part of the range remain uncrowded and we can appreciate the peace and solitude of the Tyrol as we hike through a region containing Austria's biggest concentration of Dolomite limestone. We'll find the three hours of uphill walking to be well worth the effort as the view from the hut is awe-inspiring - peak upon peak in every direction, as far as the eye can see. Back in Innsbruck, we meet this evening for a farewell celebration dinner, toasting new friendships and a great week of hiking in the Alps! Hiking time: 6-7 hours with 3,720' elevation gain. Breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 9
After breakfast, a group transfer to the Innsbruck airport and the Munich airport has been arranged. Please do not schedule a flight out of Munich prior to 2 p.m. Trip members may also opt to return to Salzburg by rail independently. Breakfast included.
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.
Hotel accommodations with private baths; breakfasts and dinners from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 9; guides; transfer from/to Munich airport for those choosing this gateway; van transportation.
Air transportation; entrance to museums and visitor centers; 7 lunches; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; gratuities; laundry and items of a personal nature.
This trip is rated as Moderate Plus [3-4] and consists of a combination of moderate and more vigorous hiking days. We’ll spend 4-7 hours hiking on most days with elevation gains of up to 3,720’. As we are in the Alps, some trails can be steep and rocky and switchbacks are not always utilized to temper the grade of the route. Most of the planned hikes offer the option of stopping at a midway point, allowing trip members to reduce total elevation gain on any given day and providing additional time to enjoy the spectacular alpine scenery before descending. To maximize your enjoyment of this trip and to avoid sore muscles, it is vital that you begin a conditioning regimen at least 3-4 months prior to departure. In addition to walking, swimming and cycling, some of the best training for this adventure includes hiking up and down hills (or steps) with a 10-15 pound daypack on your back.
As our trip takes place in an alpine climate, weather patterns can be extremely unpredictable and change rapidly. Although our departures take place during mid-summer when sunshine may be abundant, there is always a chance of rain showers making adequate raingear a necessity for this adventure. Daytime temperatures range between 55°-65°F in the mountains and can be as warm as 80°-90° in the valleys below. Slightly warmer temperatures may be encountered in Salzburg.
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel protection provides for: trip cancellation and interruption, travel delay, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency assistance. An insurance application is included with all trip confirmations.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Salzburg to Innsbruck
Weather
Gear Checklist
- Valid passport
- Airline tickets
- Duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase
- Daypack, approx. 2000 cu. in. to carry your camera, water bottles, extra clothing
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Passport pouch or money pouch
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel and evening wear
- Rain jacket, waterproof and breathable
- Rain pants, waterproof and breathable
- Lightweight jacket or sweater (for evenings)
- Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Lightweight thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants, synthetic
- Hiking shorts, synthetic
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks, synthetic
- Casual socks
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana
- Wool or fleece gloves
- Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken in, aggressive tread
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Two one-quart water bottles or hydration system
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Baby Wipes
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Trekking poles
- Camera, film and spare batteries
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Favorite energy snacks and drink
- Reading and writing materials
- Sewing kit
- Knee supports
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Electrical adapter plug
- Whistle
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
- Wind chill can be a significant feature of this trip. Air temperatures are not very cold, but when the wind is constant, and when you combine this with the stress that altitude puts on your body, you can be robbed of body heat quickly. Wind and rain gear is very important.
- Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
- Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
- Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
- Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The Expert Advice section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.