Allan Hartley

Trekking in the Zillertal Alps

Allan Hartley

This guidebook describes two popular hut-to-hut treks in Austria's Zillertal Alps. Both take eight to ten days to complete, with the option to add in day excursions from the huts to climb local peaks on both sides of the border, including the Zillertal's highest summit, the Hochfeiler.
The Zillertal Rucksack Route, or Berliner Hoehen Weg, links eight huts without crossing glaciers or difficult passes. It starts above Mayrhofen and follows a circular route ending high above the charming village of Ginzling. The length of this tour is 70-80km, depending on your exact start and finish points, and ascends some 6700m.
The Zillertal South Tyrol Tour traverses the whole range along the Austro-Italian border, starting at Turistenraste then linking back to the Rucksack Route to make a circular tour. Overall it is about 55km long and ascends just over 5000m (not including any additional peaks.) It is a physically demanding trek, providing an excellent challenge to more experienced alpine walkers who wish to undertake a tour that is remote and challenging.

Trekking in Austria's Hohe Tauern

Allan Hartley

A guide to four multi-day hut-to-hut trekking routes in Austria's Hohe Tauern region. The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest in Europe. Within Austria it embraces the provinces of Tirol, Salzburg and Karnten (Carinthia). This guidebook concentrates on three areas – the Reichen, Venediger and Gross Glockner groups.
The Reichen Group Hut-to-Hut Rucksack Route will take five to six days to complete, starting from the resort town of Mayrhofen at the head of the Zillertal valley. The route described is suitable for those with good general mountain walking ability who are surefooted and vertigo free.
The Vendiger Group Hut-to-Hut Rucksack Route traverses the Venediger from south to north over seven days, starting in the Virgental valley at Streden. The route requires no greater skills than those needed to wander safely over the mountain areas of Britain. The eight day Venediger Glacier Tour is better suited to mountaineers. Participants need to have the ability to cross glaciers safely using ropes, ice axes and crampons.
The eight day Glockner Group Hut-to-Hut Rucksack Route is a circular tour around Austria's highest mountain. The route was created to allow hikers to cross through the mountains without having to make difficult glacier crossings and carry ropes and mountaineering equipment.
En route there is ample opportunity to climb some of the peaks and ascents and excursions are described. This book will appeal to groups of mixed ability and those looking to visit the Alps for the first time without the demands of the higher mountains of the western Alps. With lots of practical advice, including on glacier travel, and a comprehensive hut directory.