Finally!The Coast to Coast is a National Trail
5
challenging
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights hotels and guesthouses
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1110GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: TYR

Trip highlights

  • Taking the high route through the Tyrol region straddling Austria and Italy
  • Walking through high mountain pastures with divine views and through famous valleys such as Stubaital and Pflerschtal
  • Staying in charming mountain hotels and guesthouses brimming with warm hospitality
  • Walk historic pilgrimage and smuggler trails

Follow a network of alpine trails once used by pilgrims and smugglers as you walk from Innsbruck into the heart of Tyrol. The route leads you through flower-filled meadows, quiet valleys and traditional mountain villages, with regular views across the Austrian Alps. Along the way, pass Maria Waldrast, one of Europe’s highest monasteries, and continue through peaceful places such as Trins and Obernberg. A highlight is crossing the Sandjöchl pass on the border with Italy, where views extend towards the Dolomites. Your journey finishes with a cable car descent into Sterzing, a lively South Tyrolean town where Austrian and Italian influences meet, marking a rewarding end to this classic alpine crossing.

Countries:

Germany and Austria

Starting Point:

Innsbruck

Finishing Point:

Sterzing

Carbon Footprint

15kg of CO2-e PP per day

(108kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Itinerary

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Arrive in Innsbruck and check into your hotel. Innsbruck has many interesting sights including the Swarovski Crystal World, Bergisel Ski Jump and the Tyrolean Railway Museum.

Meals:  Nil

Taking the tram, you leave Innsbruck for the village of Mutters, then take the cable car to Muttereralm (included). Here you start your walk, along the 'Innsbrucker Almentour' (alpine) trail, from cabin to cabin. It is an easy trail mainly along a mountain road with wonderful views into the Alps. An alternative lower route is available in poor weather. Overnight in Fulpmes, a well known winter sports resort. Distance 15km/9.2mi, +350m/1150ft, -1020m/3350ft.

Meals:  B

This morning you walk uphill along a long distance trail to the restaurant Sonnstein with a great view down to the valley in clear weather. Afterwards, follow the pilgrimage trail to the highest monastery in Europe, Maria Waldrast, which has a lovely restaurant. From this point you will cross from one valley to the next over a mountain pass. There is a cabin located here with a wonderful flower meadow around to the side, a great spot for a rest. There is a shorter, alternative route that traverses the side of the hill. Overnight will be in Trins, a lovely village at the edge of the Gschnitztal valley. Distance 15-18km/9.3-11mi, +930-1415m/3050-4640ft, -650-1130m/2130-3700ft.

Meals:  B

The village of Trins is located at an altitude of 1233m/4045ft. Enjoy a well deserved rest day, or if you feel active the town is surrounded by a vast hiking path network. The Sarnthein waterfall is a short loop walk from the centre.

Meals:  B

Today you will follow the pilgrimage trail called 'Romediusweg' to the next valley. The trail will lead you into a high valley where you ascend a mountain pass. Expect a lovely landscape with mountain pastures, summits with glaciers and little mountain lakes. A mountain road or a steep zigzag trail will lead you down to the small village of Obernberg, where you stay overnight. Distance 11km/6.8mi, +970m/3180ft, -806m/2645ft

Meals:  B

Walk or take the local bus into the valley where you will start your walk to Lake Obernberg. After you pass the lake you will begin the ascent to the mountain pass 'Sandjöchl' or in Italian, Passo del Santicolo (2165m). At this point you will encounter a wonderful landscape with summits all around. On this mountain pass you will reach the border to Italy and hike along a military road, before walking down to Gossensass-Colle Isarco. It is a steep descent with great views into the Dolomites. Distance 13-16km/8-10mi, +844m/2770ft, -1135m/3725ft

Meals:  B

Take the local bus to reach the starting point of today's walk in Innerpflersch. Step by step you walk upwards, passing mountain cabins but always with a view to the valley. When you reach Ladurns cable car station follow the high trail slightly up and down passing by mountain pastures dotted with cabins. Take a rest and enjoy the view of the Alps and Dolomites. The tour ends at the cable car station Rosskopf, where you will glide down to Sterzing-Vipiteno (own cost). Sterzing-Vipiteno is the main town after the Alps, with a history dating back to 14BC. Distance 13-17km/8-10.5mi, +700-1220m/2300-4000ft, -580m/1900ft

Meals:  B

Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts - continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, meats, cheeses, coffee, tea and juices.
  • 7 nights accommodation in 3-4 star mountain hotels and guesthouses on a twinshare basis with private facilities
  • Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
  • Information pack including route notes and maps per room & GPX Tracks
  • Muttereralm cable car on day 2
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Innsbruck and from Sterzing
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Transfers not listed included
  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
  • Cable car Mount Rosskopf (EUR21-25)
  • Cable car Mount Ladurns (EUR15-18)
  • Bus to Innerpflersch (approx EUR2.50)
  • Excess luggage
  • Hotel / tourist taxes
  • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

3 star mountain hotels

Overnight in 3 star traditional mountain hotels boasting local charm and hospitality. All rooms with ensuite facilities. In Austria note that a twin room is not always associated with having two beds. Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bedframe but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room.

Trail Surface

High Trails

You will follow alpine high trails and therefore are required be sure footed. Hiking will be on a combination of single file trails, mountain roads, and winding wilderness paths. Expect some steep ascents and descents.

Suitability

challenging

5

GRADE 5 - Anyone undertaking a challenging trip should be aware of the physical and mental demands involved. This trip is designed for experienced walkers who are seeking a challenge. No previous climbing experience is required to undertake this trip. An above average level of fitness is required as days can involve up to 7.5 hours of strenuous exercise in rugged terrain. You need to be sure footed and have a head for heights as there are some steep drops close to the paths. Weather conditions may be harsh at times (even in summer), and you will need to be comfortable walking in such conditions. We suggest up to one hour of strenuous exercise 3-4 times a week. The best exercise for trekking is long bushwalks/hill walks involving relatively steep ascents and descents.

Departure dates

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 17 Jun to 23 Sep

Notes

H
High Season
DN1
High season is from 1 Jul to 5 Sep. Supplement applies to high season departures.
Note:
It is possible to start the trip on days other than Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - supplement applies

Priceper person from

£1110GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Surcharge for Sun, Mon, Tues, Thur arrivals - pp (1-2 pax)GBP£60
  • Single supplementGBP£230
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£470
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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Innsbruck (INN) has an international airport with connections to major European cities. Alternatively, Munich (MUC) and Salzburg (SZG) offer a wider range of international flights, both around 2 hours away from Innsbruck by train.

Sterzing/Vipiteno does not have an airport, but is well connected by rail. From here, you can travel north to Innsbruck (INN) in around 1–1.5 hours, or continue south to Verona (VRN) or Venice (VCE). Travelling back Munich (MUC) is approx. 3.5-4 hours by train. Please note that regional trains will end at “Brenner—Brennero” which is the border. You have to change for the train to Innsbruck. If you travel on an international train, you don’t have to change trains.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.

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