3-Day Getaway in the Stubai Alps

Stubaital, the central valley of the Stubai Alps, branches off the Wipptal, which connects Austria’s North Tyrol with Italy’s South Tyrol. Situated close to Innsbruck, Stubaital is a wonderful cease on a street journey throughout Austria or when touring from Munich to the Dolomites, particularly should you’re planning on driving the Brenner motorway. 

Although Stubai attracts hut-to-hut hikers and mountaineers, it’s additionally a particularly family-friendly vacation spot, with kid-themed strolling paths (e.g. treehouse path), playgrounds, and summer time toboggan runs. 

In mid-September, we spent 3 nights in Stubaital and have been fully enchanted by its magnificence and hospitality. Right here’s precisely how we deliberate our quick late summer time Stubai getaway.

Stubai Valley Map

Tips on how to E book this Stubai Alps Summer time Getaway

E book 3 Nights in Stubai Valley

There are 5 villages in Stubai Valley: Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Mieders, and Schönberg. Most lodging are concentrated in Neustift, as a result of it’s the most important village within the valley. 

Many lodges in Stubai Valley supply half board (breakfast and dinner). We all the time go for half board within the Austrian Alps, as a result of it’s essentially the most stress-free eating expertise and it’s typically extra economical as effectively. 

Between Might and October, many lodging embody a complimentary Stubai Tremendous Card, which gives company with one free ascent and descent on every of the 4 cable vehicles within the valley, along with different perks. 

3-star lodging: Lodge Brunnenhof and Ausserwieserhof

4-star lodging: Lärchenlodge Residences and Spa, Biohotel Rastbichlhof, Activehotel Bergkönig, Alpenhotel Tirolerhof, and Alpeiner – Nature Resort Tirol

5-star lodging: Relais & Châteaux Spa Lodge Jagdhof

Household-Pleasant lodging: Familotel Kindl

Automobile Rental

A rental automobile is elective. It is possible for you to to finish this itinerary with out one. The one place that shall be tough to achieve and not using a automobile is the Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof, the place we suggest watching the sundown in your arrival day.

Use the Discovercars.com automobile rental reservation platform to seek for and ebook automobile leases in Austria. This intuitive reserving platform compares automobile rental offers from quite a few trusted suppliers, with the intention to select the best choice in your journey.

Tip | Some automobile parks in Stubai are pay-and-display. In a single day company normally don’t must pay for these automobile parks supplied that they show a visitor card. Ask your resort for a visitor card. 

What to Pack

I like to recommend packing mountaineering boots, mountaineering poles, sun shades, a solar hat, reusable water bottles like SIGG – Reusable Water Bottles.

Additionally, deliver money. Many institutions like mountain huts, alpine pastures (Almen), and farms are money solely.

Day 1: Arrive in Stubai Valley

We drove from Vienna to Stubai Valley, arriving within the afternoon. Good to Know: For those who drive to Stubai Valley by way of the Brenner motorway (A13) like we did, you’ll have to pay a toll. To keep away from the toll, you may drive the longer toll-free Brenner path to Schönberg (B182 and B183)

After checking into Alpenhotel Tirolerhof in Fulpmes, we drove as much as Gleins for sundown, a hamlet above Schönber made-up of alpine farms. The street is kind of slender, and Kati needed to again up twice to let oncoming site visitors move. Simply past Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof, there’s a automobile park (Google Maps). 

Just some meters from the automobile park, you’ll discover the Gleins Photopoint Stubai, which is a picnic desk that affords a magical view of Stubai Valley, particularly at golden hour. Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof additionally has a panoramic terrace, however their restaurant was sadly closed throughout our go to. 

After sundown, we drove again to Alpenhotel Tirolerhof and ate a scrumptious dinner: salad and soup buffet, most important course, and dessert. The pacing of dinner was completely excellent: no awkward or prolonged ready occasions. The employees can also be attentive and pleasant. 

Day 2: Almabtrieb and Sunnenseit`n Weg

Almabtrieb Fulpmes

Our go to to Stubai Valley coincided with the Almabtrieb in Fulpmes. The small occasion occurred round midday. Clad in conventional Tracht, the farmers and herdsmen of the Fronebenalm and Galtalm mountain pastures guided their cows and sheep down the mountain by means of Fulpmes to their winter stables within the valley.

The occasion concluded with a full of life gathering within the Musikpavillon, the place all spectators have been invited to have fun with music, meals, and drinks.

Although the occasion was genuine and charming, it was very small. Personally, I wouldn’t exit of my strategy to see the Fulpmes Almabtrieb. However, should you occur to be in Stubai Valley in mid-September, why not take part. 

If you wish to be taught extra about this alpine custom, learn my information to the Almabtrieb Cattle Drive. 

Lunch at Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch 

After watching the Almabtrieb, we rode the Kreuzbahn cable automobile within the Schlick 2000 ski space all the best way as much as the mountain station to have lunch within the spectacular Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch. This newly constructed restaurant boasts trendy alpine interiors, with staggering views of the encompassing mountains. I’m pleased to report that the meals was additionally wonderful.

From the cable automobile mountain station (2100 m), guests are instantly handled to a sweeping view of the Kalkkögel Mountain Chain, a subgroup of the higher Stubai Alps. For a stellar view of the Stubai Valley, stroll as much as the Aussichtsplattform Stubaiblick lookout level. 

Sunnenseit’n Weg Path

My unique plan was to hike from the Kreuzjoch mountain station all the best way right down to Neustift, following the Naturlehrweg and later the Sunnenseit’n Weg. 

Nevertheless, on account of my late begin, I ended up using the Kreuzjoch cable automobile right down to the center station to start the Sunnenseit`n Weg to Neustift. 

I actually loved this straightforward, well-groomed path, due to the panoramic views of the valley, the steep meadow landscapes, and several other factors of curiosity alongside the best way just like the Naturschauplatz Gschmitz viewpoint and the suspension bridge. 

The trail initially traces the Baumhausweg (tree home path), which hyperlinks a sequence of treehouses, excellent outing for households with youngsters. Path navigation is straightforward. Simply comply with indicators to the “Hängebrücke” and later “Neustift.”

Parking | Shlick 2000 ski space automobile park in Fulpmes: Google Maps

Beginning Level | Kreuzjochbahn center station

Ending Level | Neustift

Distance | 9 km point-to-point

Time Wanted | 3:30 hours

Elevation Achieve | 220 meters

Elevation Loss | 580 meters

Problem | Straightforward

Day 3: Peiljoch – WildeWasserWeg – Grawa Waterall Hike

Throughout our second full day in Stubaital, I hiked from the Dresdner Hütte, accessible by cable automobile, to Grawa Waterfall, tracing a bit of the celebrated Stubai Excessive Path. 

For me, the highlights of this hike have been descending to Lake Sulzenausee glacial lake from the Peiljoch saddle with views of the Sulzenauferner glacier, strolling down the Higher Sulzenau Valley, and the Grawa waterfall viewpoints. 

Beginning Level | To begin this hike, head to the Stubai Gletscher cable automobile valley station on the head of the valley. Right here’s the place we parked: Google Maps. There are literally two cable vehicles that join the valley to the Fernau center station (2300 m): Gamsgarten and 3S Eisgratbahn. We rode the Gamsgarten cable automobile. 

Route | Fernau Center Station – Dresdner Hütte – Peiljoch – Lake Sulzenausee – Sulzenauhütte – Sulzenau Alm – WildeWasserWeg – Grawa Waterfall – Grawa Alm 

Problem | The preliminary ascent from Dresdner Hütte to Peiljoch is steep and rocky. Two quick sections are secured with cables, the second of which requires some scrambling. Although quick and well-secured, this won’t be snug when you’ve got any concern of heights. The ultimate stretch to Peiljoch crosses a rock discipline, however slabs of flat-faced rock have been purposefully positioned to ease the crossing. 

About 1.8 km after passing Sulzenau Alm, the path divides. I continued on the proper path (WildeWasserWeg) to Grawa Waterfall. For me, this was essentially the most tough a part of the hike, as a result of the trail was moist, slippery, and required additional care. A lot of the trail is bolstered with timber step boardwalks. 

Navigation | The trail is closely waymarked. While you descend from the Peiljoch saddle, you’ll attain a junction. Proceed over the small rise to Lake Sulzenausee, ignoring the direct path to Sulzenau Hut.  

The place to Eat alongside the Path | Sulzenauhütte or Grawa Alm, on the very finish of the hike.

Path Variations | For these with delicate knees, contemplate reversing the route, or mountaineering from Grawa Alm to Sulzenauhütte out-and-back. 

Beginning Level |  Fernau center station

Ending Level |  Grawa Alm

Distance | 9.8 km point-to-point

Time Wanted | 4 hours

Elevation Achieve | 452 meters

Elevation Loss | 1222 meters

Day 4: Depart Stubai Valley

Earlier than leaving Stubai Valley, Kati and I visited Maria Waldrast monastery and ate lunch on the Ochsenhütte. For those who’d love to do the identical, experience the Serles cable automobile from Mieders to Koppeneck and both stroll to Maria Waldrast or take the gradual practice. 

Extra Issues to Do round Stubai Valley:

Tyrol & Innsbruck:

Austria Journey Itineraries:

Automobile-Free Journey:

Mountaineering:

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