Hello — My wife and I will be driving from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Munich and are looking for somewhere in-between (preferably in Austria that is less than 2.5/3 hours to Munich) to stay for 2 or 3 nights. We are looking for somewhere with great hiking (and food).
We'll have a car so no limitations on where to get. We are considering Seefeld, Zell am See, Alpbach, and Kitzbuhel. Any of those anyone would recommend? Or any outside of those you'd suggest instead?
There are several valleys south of Innsbruck that we have visited in the winter for skiing, but are also delightful places year round. Neustift in the Stubaital (Stubai Valley) , and Mayrhofen in the Zillertal (Ziller Valley).
For example: https://www.zillertal.at/en/summer.html
The abundant ski lifts give the opportunity to take a lift up from the valley and then hike onward.
If you are starting in Cortina and like hiking I will assume (?) that you have looked at Gillian Price's guides for hiking in the Dolomites. At least this year snow in the higher elevations will not be a problem since the average temperatures have been about 10 c above the usual levels for most of the winter.
Alpbach is tiny. There probably aren't enough things to do for more than 1 night. I like Seefeld and Kitzbuhel.
When are you going? Check if there are local festivals that interest you.
Zell am See provided the opportunity for one of the best day trips we've taken in a dozen trips to Europe. Driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (https://www.grossglockner.at) gives great scenery and is great fun! You'll have a car so have at it! We spent another day in Zell taking a boat ride on the lake and just walking the town. Have a great trip!
Awesome, thank you everyone! Grossglockner seems like a must do from what I’ve read/seen.
Good to know that Alpbach is smaller and only good for a night!
Hiker's paradise is the town Seefeld in Tirol above Innsbruck, i.e. a small plain in an elevation of 4000 ft, providing 100+ hiking routes of different length and severity.
https://www.seefeld.com/en/summer-3/walking/hiking-trails
Kitzbühel would fit the bill, but a bit pricey. The Hornbahn and Bergbahnen in St. Johann in Tirol will get you up into the mountains. Your not far from Ellmau too. The Wilder Kaiser massif is pretty impressive. One of my favorite mountains. Spent a few days on the Hintersteiner See last year. A nice view from the Romerhof near St. Johann in Tirol. Toll road but the Griesneralm is a nice place to visit and hike. Its right in the Wilderkaiser. Huber Bräu Turmstüber in St. Johann in Tirol too. I was in Alpbach last week (drove thru). Nice country and the houses are wood or made to look so by decree. Not much going on there though. You just about need an apartment or a place with half board there.
Driving from Cortina going via the Grossglockner makes a lot of sense. Then again, driving the Giau Pass and then the Gardena Pass is just as or even more impressive imo. You’d drive these heading to the Val Gardena and then north towards Innsbruck and the area, which we love.
