6 Day Itinerary for Tyrol and Southern Bavaria

If you didn't see the Gosausee in the Salzkammergut, don't miss it and consider circling the Dachstein.

Hold Innsbruck in reserve for bad weather. The Michelin Green Guide lists 4 *** mountain drives in Austria. I think the Grossglocknerhauptstrasse is too slow, too expensive, and over rated. The parallel pass to the west is better scenery.

The other three *** drives are the three valley just west of Innsburck (I listed their names in another post on Austria).

traveling on to the west, there are two routes to Switzerland, the main road, mostly expressway, and the Silvrettastrasse, which I prefer. If you take the main road, when you get to the long tunnel, get off the expressway and take the parallel road over the pass-- great scenery. Both roads end at Feldkirk. an attractive town. then go north to the Deutschaplinestasse to head back toward Munich.

Absolutely essential for driving trips: Michelin Green Guides.

Two smaller places I'd recommend are Ischgl and Obergurgl, both are ski towns in the SudTyrol. You can easily take the tram (if running) in Obergurgle to the top of the mountain and look down the other side into Italy. You could hike it too. From Ischgl there's a popular hike to Piz Buin (the pass to Italy) that's worth doing. The hotels and food in both towns are top notch as they are used to a fairly affluent international clientel. The bonus is it's off season...

KGC and I share a recommendation-- the Oetztal-- the first valley west of Innsbruck, and the location of Obergurgl (and Hochgurgl). just remember that Obergurgl is just one of several sights in the Oetztal.

I like the Achensee AT staying in Pertisau (natural landscapes). Looks like the boats run thru 27 October and the gondels into early November (Rofan). Achensee is at the north end of the Zillertal. I've also based out of Imst AT (family friends) and branched out from there towards St. Anton am Arlberg, Sölden, Silbertal etc. Maybe a plan B for possible bad weather in October?

Note my experience in Austria is mostly from various ski trips, so not so much hiking/biking/touring.

The big valleys discussed here are quite flat and have cross-country ski routes also used for jogging and biking.

The Zillertal (Zillertal Valley) is gorgeous just southeast of Innsbruck with a number of little towns (roughly 1 or 2 per six ski areas there). It has quite a bit of small manufacturing. The main town at the head of the Valley is Mayrhofen where you can drive/catch a bus to the gondola to Hintertux Glacier at the head of the valley (great place to ski or hike in good weather). We love Frau Monitzer's pension (Haus Monitzer) in Kaltenbach as a base of operations. Ask for the big room with the view out over the valley, which also has a nice balcony. We got by fine "auf English," although a little German helps the deeper you get into the valleys.

https://www.apartment-monitzer.at

The Stubaital (Stubai valley) is just southwest of Innsbruck and is even more charming and rural. Neustift in Stubaital is the main town. Again there is a glacier with gondola access at the south end of the valley.

https://www.stubai.at/en/stubaital/neustift/

We loved the Hotel Stacklerhof in Neustift.

https://www.stacklerhof.at

I just went to Tirol last June. How about a farm stay? I suggest you avoid staying at big hotels and opt for smaller inns.