Walk Austria's Stubai Alps

Distance: 7 miles (11km)  

Ascent: 1,400 feet (400m)

Descent: 1,400 feet (400m)

Today we hike out of Neustift  on the newly constructed Sunnenseit’n Weg (Sunny Side Way). Climbing above the town and along the Stubai valley we pass through the romantic meadows of the Milchmahder and eventually reach the newly built and spectacular suspension bridge. This is a real highlight of the Stubai Valley and offers magnificent views up the valley to the glacier. From the bridge we descend via the Pfurtschellhöfe to Neder and follow the valley back to the hotel.

Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)  

Ascent: 1,450 ft (440m)

Descent: 1,450 ft (440m)

From Fulpnes we ascend the  Schlik 2000 gondola to the middle station. We begin our hike here following the treehouse path to Vergor a small alm high above the Stubai valley. Great views of the valley and the surrounding mountains are a constant companion on this varied hike. The natural site of Gschmitz is a real gem where we can rest before we continue our way to the Pfurtschellhöfen high above Neustift. We soon reach the absolute highlight of the walk, the newly built suspension bridge with its wonderful panoramic views up and down the valley. From here we descend through meadows to our hotel in Neustift.  

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Total ascent: 1,400 feet (400m)

Total Descent: 1,400 feet (400m)

In summary: We take a cable car to the slopes of the Elfer, then ascend to a high hut for coffee before following a balcony path through flower meadows with superb views of the Stubai valley. We return initially by the same route, then take another pretty path back to the cable car.

Highlight: The views from today's walks give a spectacular taste of the magnificent week's walking ahead.

Distance: 8 miles (13km) 

Total ascent: 2,500 feet (750m)

Total descent: 2,500 feet (750m)

In summary: We take the same cable car but ascend beyond the hut to traverse across the top of the Elferspitze through magnificent rock scenery, giving an immediate taste of our walking for the week. We descend to the col and pick up the easier group’s return route to the cable car.

Highlight: Ascend Elferspitze, one of the Stubai ‘Seven Summits’.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Total ascent: 1,500 feet (450m)

Total descent: 1,500 feet (450m)

In summary: We take the cable car, then a good forest track to the impressive monastery of Maria Waldrast. After coffee, we walk through alpine meadows and on forest trails. Back at the cable car, we can descend sedately – or try the summer toboggan run!

Highlight: The summer toboggan run is a great way to complete our walk. Descend the mountain in style! 

Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)

Total ascent: 2,700 feet (800m) 

Total ascent: 2,700 feet (800m) 

In summary: We also head to the monastery and then continue winding our way up through a series of flower-filled meadows to the Blaser-Hütte hut. From the hut it is just a short walk to the top of the Blaser mountain where we can enjoy fine views of the Serles mountain, the Stubai and Zillertal Alps. After a break at the hut, we return by the outward route, enjoying fine views all the way. At the cable car we have the same choice of return as the easier group.

Highlight: Incredible views across the Austrian Tirol from the summit of Blaser.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 900ft (270m)

Descent: 1950ft (600m)

In summary: We start in the valley and take a path up to a beautiful alpine meadow with a rustic hut dominated by a ring of crags and a waterfall. Retracing our steps, we can follow the ‘Wild Water Way’ downstream passing other impressive waterfalls and cataracts, finishing at a hut to wait for the bus.

Highlight: The wild water way passes impressive waterfalls.

Distance: 10.5 miles (17km)

Ascent: 2700ft (830m)

Descent: 2700ft (830m)

In summary: We take the same route as the easier group, but then zigzag our way above the waterfall up to a higher hut. We then ascend further along the ‘Wild Water Way’ through dramatic rocky cascades up to a beautiful glacial lake. We return by the same route.

Highlight: The glacial lake is a superb spot to take in the views.

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 500 feet (150m)

Total descent: 2,700 feet (810m)

In summary: We ascend by cable car, then continue to a welcoming hut for coffee. Our descent takes us under towering crags and through flower meadows, using an informative heritage trail, to the Schlickeralm hut, and then on down to the middle cable car station for refreshments before our return to the valley.

Highlight: After disembarking the cable car, we are at an incredible viewpoint.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent: 2,700 feet (810m)

Total descent: 2,700 feet (810m)

In summary: An opportunity to ascend another of the Stubai’s ‘seven summits’. From the top station we traverse and then ascend steeply, reaching a rocky pass and then crossing scree to gain our final ascent route, via a short fixed rope section, to the airy cross of the Hoher Burgstall. We descend to complete our circuit to the cable car and maybe a celebratory drink!

Highlight: Reaching the summit of the Hoher Burgstall.