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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Walking Tour

Walk & Tour: Austrian Alps, Tyrol & Alpbach

Nine-day escorted walking tour through Austrian Tyrol with heritage rail journeys

Illustration of Walk & Tour: Austrian Alps, Tyrol & Alpbach

Great Rail Journeys operates this nine-day escorted walking holiday centred in Alpbach, regarded as Austria's most beautiful village. The journey begins with Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras through Paris, continues by First Class rail across Stuttgart and Munich to Jenbach, then coach transfer through the scenic Alpbach Valley. Six nights at the four-star Hotel Alphof serve as your base for daily walks of 4 to 7.6 miles, each with two route options to suit different fitness levels. On Day 3, you climb to the Bischoferalm mountain hut through pine forests and alpine pastures; on Day 4, you board the historic steam-hauled Achenseebahn cog railway to reach turquoise Achensee and explore the Karwendel mountains on foot. Days 5 and 7 are free or include guided walks to a 400-year-old mountain hut. Day 6 features the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen and a visit to Krimml Waterfalls, Europe's highest mountainside waterfall. A UK Tour Manager, expert walking guides, and complimentary local transport via the Alpbachtal Card are included throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most lunches are not included (except one picnic lunch on Day 4); plan for self-catering or café meals on Days 3, 5, 6, and 7
  • The single supplement (GBP 2,899) is GBP 200 above half the double rate; confirm pricing before booking if you travel alone
  • Group maximum is 24 people; confirm actual group size when booking if a smaller party is important to you

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart

    From London to Stuttgart

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras for a Eurostar journey to Paris in Plus class with a light meal. Continue by First Class rail from Gare de l'Est to Stuttgart, Germany. Check in to hotel and enjoy first dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Alpbach

    Arrival in Alpbach in Austria's Tyrol

    After breakfast, travel by First Class rail from Stuttgart to Jenbach via Munich. Coach transfer through the scenic Alpbach Valley to the four-star hotel in Alpbach. Check in and enjoy a five-course dinner. All guest rooms have a balcony with valley views.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Alpbach

    Alpbach Valley views from the Bischoferalm

    First walking day with two options. Option A (5.2mi/8.3km): circular route climbing from Alpbach to Bischoferalm mountain hut, returning through pine forests and alpine pastures. Option B (7.6mi/12.2km): follows Option A to Bischoferalm then continues to Bischoferjoch before descending back. Free afternoon to unwind or explore Alpbach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Alpbach

    Exploring Achensee and the Karwendel on foot

    Coach transfer to Jenbach to board the historic Achensee cog railway (Europe's oldest of its type, steam-hauled), climbing to Eben then descending to Seespitz on Achensee. Option A (4.0mi/6.2km): stroll along the lake shore and travel by cable car into the Karwendel mountains. Option B (5.6mi/9.0km): coach into the Karwendel Valley to climb to the Feilalmkopf summit. Return to Alpbach for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Alpbach

    Free day to explore Austria's Tyrol

    Full day at leisure. Options include relaxing at the hotel (pool, sauna, afternoon tea), using the Alpbachtal Card to ride cable cars to the Wiedersbergerhorn, visiting Rattenberg (Austria's smallest town, known for glassblowing) by bus and train, or travelling by train to Innsbruck to see the cathedral, Hofkirche, Golden Roof and Hölbling house.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Alpbach

    Zillertalbahn & Krimml Waterfalls

    Coach to Jenbach to join the narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway for a 19-mile journey through the Ziller Valley to Mayrhofen. Free time to explore Mayrhofen's cafés and shops. Short drive to the Krimml Waterfalls, Europe's highest mountainside waterfall and fifth tallest in the world (nearly 1,250ft drop, three tiers). Entrance included; free time to walk the falls. Return to Alpbach for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Alpbach

    Hiking to a 400-year-old mountain hut

    Travel by local bus to Inneralpbach. Option A (6.0mi/9.7km): slightly longer route with reasonable ascent and descent on broad gravel paths to the 400-year-old Farmkehralm mountain hut. Option B (5.7mi/9.2km): shorter but more challenging, beginning with a fairly steep ascent from Inneralpbach to Farmkehralm. Time to eat at the hut before returning to hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Cologne

    Through Germany to Cologne

    Coach from Alpbach to Jenbach, then First Class rail to Munich and onward to Cologne, passing through Ulm (home to the world's tallest church spire). Check in to hotel near Cologne main station. Final group dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the train from Cologne to Brussels in First Class. Switch to Eurostar Plus class in Brussels for the journey to London St Pancras, with a light meal at seats.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Walking circular routes from Alpbach to the Bischoferalm mountain hut, passing through pine forests and alpine pastures with valley views
  • Day 4Boarding the historic steam-hauled Achenseebahn cog railway, Europe's oldest of its type, climbing to Eben then descending to turquoise Achensee
  • Day 6Riding the narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway 19 miles through the Ziller Valley to Mayrhofen, then visiting Krimml Waterfalls, Europe's highest mountainside waterfall
  • Day 7Hiking to the 400-year-old Farmkehralm mountain hut in the Alpbach Valley with options for different fitness levels

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel with light meals
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Expert walking guides with recognised qualifications
  • Carefully planned walking routes (4.0–7.6 miles / 6.2–12.2 km per walking day)
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 1 picnic lunch
  • Complimentary Alpbachtal Card (free travel on local buses and cable cars)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entrance to Krimml Waterfalls

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Lunches (except 1 picnic lunch included)
  • Personal spending and optional extras

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Eurostar Plus, First Class rail across Europe, and all heritage railway journeys (Achenseebahn, Zillertalbahn) are included in the from-price.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout, expert walking guides lead each day, and the group has a coach for transfers.
How many nights are at the main hotel?
Six nights at the four-star Hotel Alphof in Alpbach, Austria. You also spend one night each in Stuttgart and Cologne.
What are the daily walking distances?
Walking days range from 4.0 to 7.6 miles (6.2 to 12.2 kilometres). Each walking day offers two route options to suit different fitness levels.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included each day, plus one picnic lunch on Day 4. Other lunches are at your own cost.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys schedules five departures across June, July, August, and September 2026 and 2027; confirm exact dates when booking.

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