From Lake Tegernsee to Sterzing with Charm

After a short bus ride, your Alpine crossing adventure begins in Gmund with a first half-day hike on the Tegernseer Höhenweg trail, which runs around 100 meters above the northern shore to the intermediate destination of Tegernsee (town). Fantastic views await you on this easy introductory stage - a visit to the brewery directly on the lake is also a must. After a short crossing with the unique rowing ferry to Rottach-Egern, you walk along the lake to your overnight stay in Bad Wiessee on the south side. Alternatively, you can use the boat trip to shorten the hike.

Transfer to the starting point of your hike to Kreuth-Siebenhütten. Through lush mixed forest to the first mountain pasture region of the unmanaged Gaisalm. Over a gentle ridge you finally reach the border ridge between Bavaria and Tyrol, surrounded by the characteristic mountain pine vegetation. Impressive panoramas open up from the foothills of the Tegernsee to the Karwendel and Zillertal Alps. After around three hours, you can enjoy a welcome refreshment stop at the rustic Blaubergalm, the only refreshment stop on this stage. On easy paths through the former Habsburg hunting grounds, you hike down into the valley to Achenwald and Achenkirch.

Often called the most beautiful hiking trail in Tyrol, today's stage on the western shore of Lake Achensee is enchanting. You hike along the well-maintained trail with easy up and down sections to the Gaisalm. The path to the only alpine pasture in Tyrol that is only accessible on foot or by boat impresses with a fascinating mix of landscapes with waterfalls, varied vegetation and moraine cones almost at close quarters above the Tyrolean fjord. Via Pertisau along the lakeside path to Maurach, also the departure point of the nostalgic Achenseebahn. You then leave the Achensee region and reach Fügen in the Zillertal valley by train and bus.

Float effortlessly by cable car up to the Spieljoch at an altitude of almost 1,850 m and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the mountains of the Zillertal, Karwendel and Rofan mountains and even as far as the Kitzbühel Alps and the Kaiser Mountains. A wonderful trail between mountain pines, alpine roses, Swiss stone pine trees and granite stones takes you via the Gart Alm, where you can enjoy a delicious Kaiserschmarren, to the Loassattel and finally on to the Alpengasthaus Loas. After a rest and refreshment stop, the route takes you comfortably along a partly shady hiking trail to the famous winter sports resort of Hochfügen.

Accompanied by rocks polished by the glacier, you finally reach the Sidanjoch. The nearby Rastkogelhütte rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Inntal valley, the Karwendel mountains and the majestic Tux Alps. After a short ascent to the Mitterwandskopf, you follow a picturesque path that leads you past impressive relics of the Ice Age and small lakes to the Melchboden. From here, you can take a comfortable bus ride down the picturesque Zillertaler Höhenstraße. Depending on where you stay overnight, continue by bus or Zillertalbahn to Aschau or Mayrhofen.

In the morning, a comfortable bus ride takes you to the Schlegeis reservoir at 1,800 m. Along a well-maintained hiking trail, a moderate ascent to the Pfitscherjoch through a landscape characterized by scree and stone moraines, accompanied by rushing streams and waterfalls. Before reaching the Pfitscherjochhaus, you cross the border into South Tyrol and reach the high point of the day at 2,275 m - the crossing of the main Alpine ridge. You hike through gentle alpine pastures and later shady mixed forests down into the Pfitschtal valley to Sterzing.

Enjoy the picturesque atmosphere of this charming Alpine town today. Explore the well-preserved medieval alleyways and picturesque squares lined with historic buildings. Visit the Wipptal Museum to learn more about the history and culture of the region or take a leisurely stroll along the River Eisack. Sterzing is also known for its excellent shopping opportunities, especially for high-quality Tyrolean craftsmanship and regional products.