dossier

Walking in the Leutasch Valley

WALKING IN THE LEUTASCH VALLEY - DAY BY DAY

Sporthotel Xander ****, Leutasch

Kirchplatzl is at the heart of the Leutasch valley, with doorstep access to some of the best walking in the area. Tucked away next door to the onion-domed village church is our hotel, owned by the Ennemoser family. The oldest inn in the valley, it has been sensitively modernized to incorporate all the luxuries you would expect of a four star establishment. The bedrooms are large with sofa, easy chair and kitchenette plus bathrooms with bath and shower, and hairdryers are also available.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 1   Arrive at Innsbruck

We pick you up at Innsbruck station for the 40-minute drive to the hotel in time for dinner .

Day 2   Hochmoos and the Wildmoos Walk  14km/9mi/5hr

This circular route from the hotel starts gently alongside the river, the Leutascher Ache to the Kreith chairlift, which whisks you up to the sunny terrace at the Katzenkopf restaurant (1363m). A shady forest path winds up to 1540m and a succession of dramatic viewpoints in a wonderful geography lesson: the bare-topped Zugspitze, sweeping Leutasch valley and neighbouring Seefeld, backed by the jagged Karwendel mountains.

Day 3   Frenchman’s Climb and the Leutaschklamm  Gorge  15km/9mi/5.75hr

A taxi (included) takes you to begin the steep Frenchmans’ Climb. This is the route Napoleon took to invade Tyrol in 1805 (although in the opposite direction!). You walk through cool forest along a broad ridge with wonderful views. After perhaps a leisurely lunch at a mountain restaurant you head into the spectacular Leutaschklamm Gorge on a series of amazing boardwalks high above the ice blue waters to a thundering 23m waterfall.  After wandering into Bavaria you explore the delightful village of Mittenwald and then catch the train back home. Back at the hotel enjoy a swim in the pool and the  afternoon sun on the terrace.

Day 4   Gaistal Balcony Walk  17km/11mi/5.5hr

This dead-end valley, closed to vehicles, is a Tyrolean idyll of lush Alpine meadows, pretty wooden chalets and burbling brooks, topped by jagged grey mountain peaks. Starting from the hotel, there’s a steep climb then a marvellous treat of constant views along an easy balcony walk: not only the Leutasch valley and familiar mountains, but over to the spiky line of the Stubai Alps beyond Innsbruck.

Day 5   Free Day

Why not spend the day in Innsbruck, just 40 minutes away? The romantic medieval Altstadt is the best starting point, but the whole city centre, small enough to explore on foot, is a jumble of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. There’s excellent shopping too. Alternatively you could book a day trip to the top of the Zugspitze (2962m) by cable car .

Day 6   Walk on the Wild Side  11km/7mi/3hr or 13km/8mi/4hr

You take the bus and train to Scharnitz to begin today’s walk which follows part of the E4 Gibraltar-Crete long distance footpath. It feels like a really wild walk although you are still close to civilization. The climb through the mixed woodland - we saw roe deer and a lone chamois grazing in the lunar landscape of the Kastental cliffs - takes you to the grassy High Saddle (1495m). From this wonderful picnic spot you descend direct back to the hotel for a relaxing sauna and swim.

Day 7   Seefeld High Mountain Walk 12km/8mi/3.5hr

Today you get a taste of ‘high mountain’ walking, along straightforward paths and using mountain lifts to cut out the hard work. From the top of the Seefelder Spitze (2221 m) you have a magnificent 360  degree panorama, and you can see the routes of all your walks. The Gaistal, dominated by the Zugspitze, looks magnificent! After dinner at the hotel, perhaps celebrate your last night with a fun Tyrolean music evening in a local bar .

Day 8   Return home

WALKING DETAILS

The 2 boot option includes steep climbs on days 3 & 4 and a long descent with 1100m altitude change, but all trails are easy to follow. The 1 boot walking follows flat valley trails or uses mountain lifts to cut out climbing. Walking boots are essential.