Crossing the Alps from Lake Achensee to South Tyrol

• Mountain guide with the appropriate qualifications
• 3 x overnight stays including half board in selected hotels/inns 
• Daily luggage transportation
• Steam train ride to the Zillertal if necessary
• Public transport according to program
• Return transfer from Sterzing to Lake Achensee 
• Free participation in the online training: Alpine crossing preparation (1 h)
• 10% discount code for your purchases at bergfreunde.de

Additional costs

• Snacks, drinks
• Arrival, possibly parking fee
• possibly Spieljochbahn (21,- € per person)

Day 1: Meeting point at 10:30 am in Achenkirch. We stroll along the Achensee with easy ups and downs and great views. We cross waterfalls roaring down from the steep cliffs, sheltered under roofs. The unique Gaisalm, only accessible on foot or by boat, is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Achensee. The route continues past inviting bathing spots. The historic steam train takes us to the Zillertal and Hochfügen. Ascent 150 m / Descent 150 m / Walking time 4 h

2nd day: To warm up today, the route is initially flat on the valley path as far as an alpine village typical of the Tux Alps, the Pfundsalm Niederleger. We climb steadily uphill over wide alpine pastures, pass old Swiss stone pine stands and soon reach the crossing into the next valley, the Sidanjoch. For ambitious hikers, we can "take in" the summit of the Kraxentrager (2,452 m) before descending towards the Rastkogelhütte. We continue to Melchboden on the Zillertal High Alpine Road, from where the bus takes us to our destination for today's stage in Mayrhofen. Overnight stay in the hotel. Ascent 900 m / descent 500 m / walking time 4 - 5 h

Day 3: Today we are going high up. We will cross the main Alpine ridge. The bus takes us up to the Schlegeis reservoir. We start our hike in the face of the famous Zillertal three-thousand-metre peaks Großer Möseler and Olperer. At the Pfitscherjoch (2,246 m) we cross the border into Italy. We now like to take a break at the Pfitscherjoch Haus, which is just a stone's throw away. We descend across gentle alpine pastures and extensive forests into the pristine Pfitschtal valley. The bus then takes us quickly to our accommodation in the Pfitschtal valley. Overnight stay in the inn. Ascent 500 m / descent 800 m / walking time 5 - 6 h

Day 4: We have almost made it. There aren't many more meters of altitude to cover today, but there is certainly some distance. A slightly elevated path leads us past old farmsteads slowly but surely towards our destination for the week. We can review this wonderful week once again before turning into the historic old town of Sterzing. In the market street, we quickly enjoy our well-earned cappuccino or Aperol Spritz before taking the shuttle back to Lake Achnesee. Ascent 150 m / descent 600 m / walking time 5 - 6 h / return transfer approx. 2.5 h

Note on program changes: 

All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.

On the daily stages, you can expect up to 900 m and 3 h in ascent and up to 800 m in descent. The prerequisite for the Tegernsee-Sterzing Alpine crossing is a Stamina for hikes of up to 6 hours (pure walking time) with light luggage. The route is technically easy, with easy (blue) mountain paths to follow. With a mountain guide, the route is manageable for beginners in good physical condition. Good preparation is half the battle for multi-day hikes: Get used to your mountain boots and to carrying your rucksack. The best way to practise this is on hikes with comparable differences in altitude. For targeted preparation, we recommend our intensive training for surefootedness and a head for heights.

You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an e-mail.