Guided Walking in Mayrhofen

Our experienced leaders offer the choice of two different walks each day.

Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness.

We provide flexible holidays. Choose easier walking one day and harder the next or just explore independently or relax around the resort.

Our leaders are friendly and welcoming making your holiday fun and sociable.

 Easier Walks      Harder Walks          High Routes

On good paths through valleys and high meadows in Harder walks some steep and rough ascents to summits and cols.

Early and late season dates will consist of a mixture between itineraries 1 and 2 to suit local conditions.

Mixture of itineraries 1 and 2: Sat 2, 9 June; Sat 1, 8 September 2012

Itinerary one

Holiday starting on:  Sat 16, 30 June; 14, 28 July; 18 August

Day 1: Arrival day

For those arriving on the HF Holidays’ flights to Munich, the onward journey to Mayrhofen is by coach. There will be time for a comfort stop and refreshments at Seefeld. You should arrive in time to settle into your room before the evening meal. On the first evening our leaders will explain more about the walks.   

Day 2:  Penken Summer Pastures

The lower station of the Penken Gondola is less than five minutes’ walk from the Hotel Waldheim. The gondola takes us 1,200 metres up from the valley floor to the slopes of Penkenalm. Here we walk through open pastures, abundant with wild flowers in spring and summer, and affording magnificent views of the valley floor and surrounding mountains – an ideal opportunity to get our bearings for the rest of the week.

Easier Walk: 6 miles with up to 1,180 feet of ascent and descent

Harder Walk: 8 miles with up to 1,800 feet of ascent and descent

Day 3: The Ziller Valley or the Karspitze Summit

Today, we either take a short drive eastwards to walk in the meadows and pastures around the picturesque alpine village of Brandberg, surrounded by spectacular peaks; or travel down the main Ziller Valley towards Zell am Ziller, taking a gondola to begin the ascent of the Karspitz. At 7,400 feet, we are able to attain its rugged peak and enjoy the panoramic views we have earned.

Easier Walk: 6 miles with up to 820 feet of ascent and 2,130 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 7½ miles with up to 2,100 feet of ascent and descent

Day 4: The Upper Tux Valley or the Plauerner Hütte

Our choice today is to travel either southwest to the head of the Tux Valley, where a gondola takes us to the start of our walk, which descends through a wild landscape beneath the high glaciers, and on through alpine pastures to the valley floor; or southeast to the head of the Upper Ziller Valley, where our route rises to an exhilarating high level traverse in dramatic scenery, with snow capped peaks close at hand.

Easier Walk: 7½ miles with some ascent and 2,300 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 9 miles with up to 2,300 feet of ascent and descent

Day 5: Free day

Today no walks are organised, allowing you to explore on your own or just relax around the hotel. Some options for your free day include:

Mayrhofen: Mayrhofen is an interesting small town in its own right and you may prefer a leisurely day visiting the shops that line the attractive main street and perhaps enjoying lunch in one of the pavement cafés. If you are feeling more active then a large outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts can be found within a short walk of the hotel. Mountain bikes can be hired in the town and there are numerous options for self-guided walks. Alternatively you could take a ride on the narrow gauge railway (sometimes steam hauled) to Jenbach.

Innsbruck: Easily reached by bus or train, Innsbruck, the historic capital of the Tyrol, offers an interesting day out whichever week or weeks you are visiting Mayrhofen. Places to visit include the Imperial Palace, the Royal Gardens, the cathedral and various churches of particular interest. Guided coach tours are available, whilst the old town is an attractive area for strolling and sightseeing.

Achensee: A popular excursion is to take the narrow-gauge railway from Mayrhofen to Jenbach, and then the steam-operated rack and pinion railway to the Achensee. Dating from 1889, this is the oldest steam-operated cog railway in the world. The Achensee itself is a particularly attractive lake, and boat trips or easy walks are available.

Krimml Waterfalls: Reached by bus, Krimml is a picturesque town set against a backdrop of densely wooded mountains that climb to heights of 3,000 metres. The waterfalls, 380 metres high, are the highest in Europe, and are a spectacular sight as they cascade down the entrance of the Krimmler Valley.

Hintertux Glacier: A regular bus service up the valley to Hintertux gives access to a series of cable cars up to the glaciers which lie at an altitude of over 3,200 metres (10,500 feet). If you’re feeling adventurous then skiing is available here throughout the year.

Day 6: Finkenberg Gorge or the Heimjoch

Today we can either follow an attractive circular route from the hotel, taking in the dramatic Finkenberg Gorge and the delightful Leonard Stock Weg back through the forest; or travel north to take a cable car to the start of our walk which rises over the Heimjoch, passing through wild and remote terrain to cross a spectacular pass, before descending to the village of Brandberg.

Easier Walk: 7 miles and up to 1,150 feet of ascent and descent

Harder Walk: 7 miles and up to  2,170 feet of ascent and 3,940 feet of descent

Day 7: Down the Zamserbach or a mountain traverse

We begin the day with the spectacular journey up to the high Schlegeiss dam at the head of the Zamserbach Valley. The reservoir here is surrounded by dramatic glaciers and high snow-capped mountains. We can then choose either an attractive riverside valley walk, or ascend on a mountain path to a breathtaking high-level traverse on the Berliner Hohenweg.

Easier Walk: 5½ miles with some ascent and 1,840 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 6½ miles with up to 2,990 feet of ascent and descent

Day 8: Departure day

Itinerary Two  

Holidays starting on:  Sat 23 June; 7, 21 July; 25 August

For those arriving on the HF Holidays’ flights to Munich, the onward journey to Mayrhofen is by coach. There will be time for a comfort stop and refreshments at Seefeld. You should arrive in time to settle into your room before the evening meal. On the first evening our leaders will explain more about the walks.   

Day 2: The Zemmbach Valley and the Grüblspitze

Today we travel southwest of Mayrhofen and either visit and walk in the lovely Zemmbach valley, rising in the afternoon by gondola onto the high alpine meadows of Penken, or we ascend a mountain summit situated above the Tux valley. Both walks offer magnificent views typical of the Zillertal Alps, in an area with a rich history of alpine mountaineering stretching back over a century.

Easier Walk: 7½ miles and up to 590 feet of ascent and 1,350 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 8½ miles and up to 2,040 feet of ascent and 4,200 feet of descent

Day 3: The Zamsergrund and the Italian Border

A spectacular bus ride south from Mayrhofen takes us to Schlegeiss, one of the remarkable high dams close to the Austrian/Italian border. Our walks take place either in or overlooking the Zamsergrund valley which runs up towards the col beyond which lies Italy.The wild mountain scenery is dominated by snow-bound peaks beneath which glaciers and moraines lie close at hand.

Easier Walk: 7 miles and up to 1,000 feet of ascent and descent

Harder Walk: 10 miles and up to 2,410 feet of ascent and descent

Day 4: Karlalm or the Gerlossteinwand  

Today we walk in the mountains to the east of Mayrhofen, following linear routes through the hills before descending to the village of Brandberg in the Ziller Valley. There are options to either ascend to the summit of the 2,166 metre Gerlossteinwand or follow a good path that skirts around its base. To reach the start of the walks both groups take the bus to Hainzenberg near Zell am Ziller and from here take the chairlift up to the Gerlossteinalm.

Easier Walk: 5½ miles with up to 720 feet of ascent and 2,450 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 6 miles with up to  2,260 feet of ascent and 4,040 feet of descent 

Day 5: Free day

Today no walks are organised, allowing you to explore on your own or just relax around the hotel. Some options for your free day include:

Mayrhofen: Mayrhofen is an interesting small town in its own right and you may prefer a leisurely day visiting the shops that line the attractive main street and perhaps enjoying lunch in one of the pavement cafés. If you are feeling more active then a large outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts can be found within a short walk of the hotel. Mountain bikes can be hired in the town and there are numerous options for self-guided walks. Alternatively you could take a ride on the narrow gauge railway (sometime steam hauled) to Jenbach.

Innsbruck: Easily reached by bus or train, Innsbruck, the historic capital of the Tyrol, offers an interesting day out whichever week or weeks you are visiting Mayrhofen. Places to visit include the Imperial Palace, the Royal Gardens, the cathedral and various churches of particular interest. Guided coach tours are available, whilst the old town is an attractive area for strolling and sightseeing.

Achensee: A popular excursion is to take the narrow-gauge railway from Mayrhofen to Jenbach, and then the steam-operated rack and pinion railway to the Achensee. Dating from 1889, this is the oldest steam-operated cog railway in the world. The Achensee itself is a particularly attractive lake, and boat trips or easy walks are available.

Krimml Waterfalls: Reached by bus, Krimml is a picturesque town set against a backdrop of densely wooded mountains that climb to heights of 3,000 metres. The waterfalls, 380 metres high, are the highest in Europe, and are a spectacular sight as they cascade down the entrance of the Krimmler Valley.

Hintertux Glacier: A regular bus service up the valley to Hintertux gives access to a series of cable cars up to the glaciers which lie at an altitude of over 3,200 metres (10,500 feet). If you’re feeling adventurous then skiing is available here throughout the year.

Day 6: Edelhütte or the Torregenkopf

Today’s walks make use of the Ahorn cable car which takes us up to the high slopes immediately to the south of Mayrhofen. The prominent mountain here is the Ahorn Spitze, the highest summit in the immediate vicinity of Mayrhofen at over 2,950 metres (9,700 feet). Our walks explore these mountains and offer the option of ascending to the lower summit of the Toreggenkopf. Alternatively you could enjoy an equally attractive route through the meadows below. Both walks give the sense of walking in the high mountains and have wonderful views over the surrounding valleys and Mayrhofen far below.

Easier Walk: 4½ miles with up to 1,150 feet of ascent and descent

The extension to Am Glatzer adds1¼ miles and 200 feet of ascent and descent.

Harder Walk: 5½ miles with up to 2,130 feet of ascent and descent

Day 7: Upper Ziller Valley or the Berliner Hohenweg

Today’s walks offer a choice between visiting a magnificent dam at the head of the Ziller Valley running east from Mayrhofen, or traversing a section of the famous high-level path high above Ginzling and the Zamsergrund valley to the southwest of our village. This high contouring path (Hohenweg) was pioneered by the Berlin Mountaineering Club over a century ago, and offers walkers unsurpassable alpine scenery.

Easier Walk: 6¼ no ascent with up to 2,575 feet of descent

Harder Walk: 7 miles with up to 3,050 feet of ascent and 3,580 feet of descent

High Routes - 14 July 2012

Our high level walks venture to high summits and cols that are normally 'off-limits' on our Guided Walking holidays. Using cable cars and rough steep paths, that may be exposed or have fixed ropes, we'll aim for some of the area's best summits. Most holidays have opportunities to bag some 3,000m (10,000 feet) peaks: a memorable achievement that you'll want to savour. 8 to 13 miles with up to 4,500 feet of ascent.

Some commanding summits on our programme include to Torhelm; Raskogel: and Hoher Riffler and the towering Ahorn Spitz directly above Mayrhofen.

Local transport

On some days the walks start and finish at the hotel. On other days we’ll use the hired transport to explore the surrounding area. The cost of transport to and from the walk is payable locally.