The Best Multi-Day Hikes in Tirol

As a certified Tirol mountain hiking guide who has lived in this beautiful region for over 10 years, I am excited to share with you some of the best multi-day hikes that Tirol has to offer. From the majestic peaks of the Karwendel range to the peaceful alpine meadows of the Lechtal valley, Tirol is home to an abundance of stunning trails that are perfect for multi-day adventures.

Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just starting out, there is a hike for everyone in Tirol. In this blog post, I will share some of my favorite multi-day hikes, including their highlights, challenges, and the best time of year to go. In this blog post, I will share some of my top picks for multi-day hikes in Tirol, along with tips on how to prepare and what to expect along the way. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a newcomer to the sport, these hikes offer something for everyone and are sure to be a highlight of your time in Tirol.

The 11 Best Multi-Day Hikes in Tirol

Eagle Walk (Adlerweg)

The Eagle Walk (Adlerweg in German) is a long-distance trail that runs across the whole of Tirol, from east to west. The different stages of the Eagle Walk cover a vast variety of terrain, from gentle trails through alpine meadows, to challenging summit routes that take you over some of the regions highest peaks.

While the route does have some easier stages which can be done in isolation by less-experienced hikers, the route in its entirety is extremely challenging, requiring previous mountaineering experience.

Stages: 33 (24 in Tirol, 9 in East Tirol)
Distance: 413 km / 257 miles
Altitude Gain + Loss: 31,000 meters
Overall Difficulty: Difficult (Black)
Best Time To Go: Late May – Late September
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Official Website: https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sports/hiking/eagle-walk

Via Alpina

The Via Alpina is not a single hiking trail, but rather a network of 5 trails that cross the Alps, taking you through 8 different countries. Both the red and yellow Via Alpina trails pass through Tirol.

Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Accommodation: Mountain huts and valley accommodation
Official Website: http://www.via-alpina.org/en/

Karwendel High Trail

The Karwendel mountains are some of the most stunning limestone peaks in Austria. The Y-shaped trail can be hiked in either direction. Some sections can also be hiked in isolation as single-day hikes.

What I love most about hiking in the Karwendel mountains is the amount of wildlife. I‘ve never seen so many chamois and ibex as when I‘ve been hiking in this area.

Stages: 6
Days: 6
Distance: 70km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 9000m
Difficulty: Difficult (Black)
Best Time To Go: July – September
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Official Website: https://karwendel-hoehenweg.at/en/

Stubai High Trail

One of my personal favorites, the Stubai High Trail (Stubaier Höhenweg in German) is a stunning high alpine trail around the highest peaks and glaciers of the Stubai Valley.

The U-shaped trail can be walked in either direction and can be completed in its entirety or as single sections, as each hut offers the opportunity to descend to the valley.

Stages: 7
Days: 8
Distance: 80km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 6000 meters
Difficulty: Difficult (Black)
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Official Website: https://www.stubai.at/en/stubai-high-trail/

Lechtal High Trail

The Lechtal High Trail (Lechtaler Höhenweg in German) is a high-altitude, multi-day hiking route along the main ridge of the Lechtal Alps.

Because the route is in high alpine terrain over 2000m above sea level, it is perfect for serious and experienced mountaineers. Some sections may require the use of mountaineering equipment (crampons, ice axe & ropes) if conditions require it.

The route also makes up sections of two long-distance hiking trails; the North Alpine Long-Distance Trail 01 and the European Hiking Trail E4.

Stages: 18
Days: 10-19
Distance: 85 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 7000 meters
Difficulty: Difficult (Black)
Best Time To Go: July – September
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Official Website: http://www.lechtaler-hoehenweg.at

Ötztal Trek

The Ötztal Valley is home to the highest mountains in Tirol, as well as multiple glaciers. So it’s no surprise that the Ötztal trek takes you over some of the most spectacular peaks and ridges in the valley.

The Ötztal Trek is for experienced mountaineers, as it crosses high alpine terrain, glaciers, and peaks over 3000m above sea level.

Stages: 22 stages broken up into 6 sections
Distance: 246 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 18,900 meters
Difficulty: Difficult (Black)
Best Time To Go: July – September
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Official Website: https://www.oetztal.com/summer/hiking-walking/hiking-tours-routes/hiking-highlights/oetztal-trek.html

E5 Long-Distance Hiking Trail

The Austrian part of the E5 (European Long-Distance Hiking Trail) is known for being a classic alpine crossing, taking hikers from Oberstdorf in Germany across some of the biggest mountains in Tirol, and ending in Meran/Merano in South Tirol (Italy).

Stages: 6
Distance: 180km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 10,000km
Difficulty: Moderate (Red)
Best Time To Go: June – September
Accommodation: Mountain huts, Guesthouses
Official Website: https://www.era-ewv-ferp.org/e-paths/

Emperor‘s Crown (Kaiserkrone) Trail

The Emperor‘s Crown trail (Kaiserkrone in German) is a stunning circular multi-day hiking trail around the Wilder Kaiser mountain range. As well as the main route, there are a number of easier and more difficult alternative routes to give you more flexibility.

Stages: 5
Distance: 65 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 5000 meters
Difficulty: Moderate (Red)
Best Time To Go: June – mid-October
Accommodation: Mountain huts & guesthouses
Official Website: https://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/activities/the-kaiserkrone.html

Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Trail (Tirol Sections)

The Camino de Santiago (Way of St James in English or Jakobsweg in German) is perhaps one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world. However, there are actually a number of different routes that make up the Way of St James.

The Tirol section begins in Lofer at the border with Salzburg and continues through to St Christoph am Arlberg at the border of Vorarlberg.

Stages: 12
Days: 12
Distance: 330 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 6500 meters
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate (Red maximum difficulty)
Best Time To Go: May – October
Accommodation: Hotels and Guesthouses
Website: https://camino-europe.eu/en/eu/oesterreich-en-US/jakobswege-en-US/jakobsweg-tirol-lofer-st-christoph-a-a/

Via Claudia Augusta

The Via Claudia Augusta hiking trail follows an ancient trade route from the Danube to the Adriatic Sea. The Tirolean section of the route starts in Reutte after the German border, and ends in Nauders, just before the Italian border.

The Via Claudia Augusta is one of the easiest trails on this list, with no technical knowledge or equipment needed.

Stages: 9
Days: 9
Distance: 150 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 2650 m
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time To Go: May – October
Accommodation: Hotels and Guesthouses
Website: https://www.viaclaudia.org/en/farwalk/the-via-claudia-augusta-long-distance-hiking-route

Romedius Pilgrimage Trail (Tirol Section)

The second pilgrimage trail on this list is the Romedius pilgrimage trail (Romediusweg in German), which starts at the church of St Romedius in Thaur in Tirol, and continues into Italy, through South Tirol and finishes in Trentino at the church of San Romedio in Val di Non.

Stages: 4
Distance: 65 km
Altitude Gain & Loss: 3400 m
Difficulty: Moderate (Red)
Best Time To Go: June – October
Accommodation: Hotels and Guesthouses
Website: https://www.romedius-pilgerweg.at

Hiking Trail Grading In Tirol

Similar to ski piste grading, hiking trails in Tirol also follow a color-coded system. When you are planning your tour, you should familiarize yourself with the difficulty of the route you wish to undertake, and prepare accordingly.

Trail Type	Symbol	Characteristics
Walking Path / Easy Hiking Trail	None	– Easy, wide trails with limited ascent or descent – Clearly marked – Potential hazards clearly marked
Moderate Hiking Trail		– Moderate difficulty – Often steep and narrow – Occasional exposed sections with risk of falling – Short secured passages with cables or short scrambling sections – Clearly signed and marked
Difficult Hiking Trail		– Difficult – Predominantly narrow & steep – Extremely exposed with higher danger of falling – Long cabled or scrambling sections – Clearly signed and marked
Alpine Route		– Unsigned, unclear or non-existent trail – Uncontrolled alpine hiking & climbing terrain – Glacier
Winter Hiking Trail		– Controlled and maintained winter walking trail – Should be free from avalanche risk – Trails are closed when routes are unsafe

Do You Need A Guide For Multi-Day Hiking in Tirol?

There certainly isn‘t a requirement to have a guide to do any of these multi-day hikes in Tirol. However, depending on your level of experience in the mountains, some people may choose to have a guide for their trip to allow them to relax and enjoy the tour without having to worry about trail finding or organizing accommodation.

What Type Of Guide Should You Hire?

If you‘re hiking a route that is easy or moderate (up to red in the Tirol grading system), then you can hire a hiking guide (Bergwanderführer in German). However, if your route covers more challenging (black) trails, then you‘ll want a fully certified IFMGA mountain guide (Bergführer in German).

Do You Need To Book Accommodation in Advance?

Yes! Especially in the high summer season and during weekends throughout the summer, many of the mountain huts book out. Having an advance reservation is a MUST!

Read More: Your First Mountain Hut Experience – What To Expect

When Is The Best Time of Year For Hiking In Tirol?

While the hiking season in Tirol starts to get going around the middle of May, many areas are still inaccessible until mid-June due to snow on the trails.

In many cases, you can keep hiking into mid-October in Tirol, although it’s not unusual to have some snow falling at this time of year.

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