“This trip offers breathtaking experiences, including stunning blue icy lakes that are sure to captivate your senses and leave you with lasting memories.”
Day 1 - Drive to Ehrwald
Begin your journey by heading to Ehrwald, which serves as the starting point for your upcoming hike. The actual hiking adventure will commence on the second day. In the meantime, take in the breathtaking mountain scenery.
Day 2 - Coburger hut
Trek 1: Destination - Coburger Hut
To get started, park your car at the Ehrwalder Almbahn. Luckily, there’s plenty of free parking available (2023). This hike forms a loop, so you’ll end up back at the car park. Begin your walk or opt for the cable car ride from Ehrwald Almbahn to Ehrwalder Almbahn Bergstation. Check here for tickets.
If you choose to hike up instead of taking the cable car, follow the trail underneath the cable car behind the Brent Alm. Stay to the left and cross the river. Keep following the path. On your right, you’ll come across a house, which might be easy to miss. Follow this path while keeping the house to your left. Ascend the hill through the forest, and eventually, you’ll rejoin the gravel road. Take a break by the scenic lake Ehrwalder Almsee.
Continue your walk, passing by the Isentalkopfbahn cable car on your way to Sebensee. Make a right turn onto Koatiger Weg. Follow this road until you reach Sebenalm. Consider having a coffee or lunch here before continuing towards Sebensee. Once you arrive at Sebensee, ascend to higher ground (head to the right) to enjoy an elevated view of the lake. You can take a break or even go for a swim if you’re feeling adventurous. From Sebensee, it’s a 30-minute hike to reach the Coburger Hütte.
Day 3 - Tillfussalm
Trek 2: Destination - Tillfussalm
Begin your journey by following route 812 from Coburger Hütte. As you ascend the mountain, take in the picturesque scenery around Drachensee, and be prepared for some lingering patches of snow. On your descent down the mountain, immerse yourself in the lush greenery of the surroundings. Pass by Brendlsee, and make a right turn toward Ehrwald. After a short walk of about 100 meters, turn right onto a less-traveled path leading to Igelsee. Note that there are no signs marking this route to Igelsee.
The path between Igelsee and Tillfussalm remains mostly level but extends for quite a distance. Keep the river on your right as you proceed, then make a left turn toward Tillfussalm. For dinner at Tillfussalm, you’ll have two options: boiled sausage or Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle). Tillfussalm is an alpine pasture with its own herd of cows, and they offer local mountain cheese for sale.
Day 4 - Plansee
Trek 3: Destination - Ehrwald
On the third day of your hike, continue your journey to the Steinerhütte. Pause for a refreshing drink at the Steinerhütte before proceeding. From there, continue walking past the hut and head towards the nearby cross. Follow route 816 and enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains that surround you.
As you make your way down the mountain, heading in the direction of Ehrwald, be sure to stay left and avoid the path towards the Knorrhütte. Keep following the road, and you’ll notice the landscape gradually transitioning with more trees emerging. Keep walking until you reach the Ehrwalder Almbahn Bergstation. Here, you have the option to either continue walking down or take the cable lift for a convenient descent back to the car park.
Tip: Ehrwalder Alm has delicious apfelstrudel.
Hike: day one
9,1 km
888 m ascend
69 m descend
Duration: 3:30 h
Hike: day two
15 km
956 m ascend
948 m descend
Duration: 5:25 h
Hike: day three
9,7 km
414 m ascend
1243 m descend
Duration: 3:40 h
Day 5 - Plansee
Day 5, 6 and 7 are no hiking days. Take a 30-minute drive to Germany and explore the Neuschwanstein castle. To visit the castle, it’s essential to book a tour in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly with up to 10,000 daily visitors. If you arrive late or prefer not to take the tour, you can still enjoy the fairytale castle from a distance as you explore the surrounding area.
After your castle visit, drive just 10 minutes to reach Füssen, a charming medieval town marking the end of the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße).
Tip: Have lunch at the Markethalle in Fussen.
Day 6 - Plansee
Plan a visit to MusterAlpe Plansee. Here, you can witness the cheese-making process and even purchase some cheese to take home. Additionally, you have the option to relax on the terrace and enjoy a leisurely lunch, coffee or sparkling wine.
Don’t forget to make the most of your time at Plansee. This picturesque location offers a wide range of activities, including swimming, diving, sailing, canoeing, and much more.
Day 7 - Time to go home
It’s time to pack your bags and begin your journey back home.
Where to stay?
When staying at Plansee, you have several accommodation options to choose from. During our visit, we stayed in a cozy hut at Camping Seespitz. It’s worth noting that many places in the area have a minimum stay requirement of 5 nights during the summer season.
For a closer look at the available huts for your hike, consider the following options:
Coburger hut
- 1920 m above sea level
- Tap water is drinkable
- Power outlet available
- Showers available (1 Euro per minute)
- Bar and restaurant
- Two options for breakfast
- Deposit required when booking the hut
- Cash only
- Contact the hut
Tillfulsalm
- 1382 m above sea level
- Tap water is drinkable
- Power outlet available
- Showers available
- Bar and restaurant (set menu for dinner)
- Buffet breakfast
- Deposit required when booking the hut
- Cash only
- Contact the hut
Steinerhütte
- 1925 m above sea level
- Sleeps up to 10 people
- Bottled drinks and snacks
- Cash only
Beste time to visit?
Hut-to-hut hiking is a fantastic adventure, but it’s important to note that it’s typically available only during the summer months. The huts typically open their doors in June and remain operational until September.
To ensure you have a place to stay along your hiking route, it’s crucial to book the huts in advance. Keep in mind that most of these huts won’t be accessible during the winter season due to heavy snowfall, making summer the ideal time for this outdoor activity.
Even if you plan your trip at the end of June or the beginning of July, be prepared to encounter patches of snow along the way. This can add an exciting and unique element to your hiking experience, as you navigate through the stunning landscape.
Getting to Ehrwald
There are a few options to get to Ehrwald in Austria. Check out this page when looking for bus or train options.
By car
If you prefer the flexibility of traveling by car, the journey from Amsterdam to Ehrwald takes approximately 9 hours. If you’re driving an electric car, don’t worry—there are plenty of charging stations along the route to ensure a safe journey, although it might add a bit of time to your trip.
By train
Traveling by train is an efficient option that doesn’t take much longer than driving. The journey from Amsterdam to Ehrwald by train typically takes around 12 hours and includes three stops:
- Start your train journey at Amsterdam Centraal.
- Change trains in Cologne, Germany.
- Continue from Cologne to Munich.
- Change again in Munich and take the next train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- Finally, board the last train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Ehrwald.
By bus
For budget-conscious travelers, taking a bus is an option, although it’s the longest journey, totaling around 20 hours. The bus route from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Ehrwald Zugspitzbahn includes the following stops:
- Depart from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Munich with a 4-hour stopover in Munich.
- Continue from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- Finally, take the last leg of the journey from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Ehrwald.
By plane
For the quickest option, consider flying. You can travel from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Innsbruck in just 1.5 hours. From Innsbruck, you can then take either a train or a bus (the faster option) to reach Ehrwald. The bus ride takes approximately 2.5 hours and offers a convenient way to complete your journey.
What to pack?
Have a look at my blog about what to pack for a hut to hut hike.
Safety
It’s essential to prioritize safety when embarking on a hut-to-hut hike. Keep in mind that everyone has different fitness levels, so it’s crucial to assess your own capabilities before starting. This hike involves some steep descents, particularly on the third day when descending from the Steinerhütte. It’s also worth noting that some paths can be narrow and challenging, but entirely manageable with a decent level of fitness.
Insurance
Before setting out on your journey, make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance in place. This will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you’ll have access to medical treatment if needed and that your gear is protected in case of damage or theft. Consider reputable options like ANWB (Dutch travel insurance) or World Nomads.