Full Stubaier Höhenweg

Today another long day awaits you. Between the Regensburger Hütte and the Dresdner Hütte you will find vast landscapes containing the Falbesoner Brook and green plains, as well as pointed rock formations. Slowly you approach the impressive glacial landscape that shapes the Stubai Mountains. Start with a tough climb of 500 altitude meters and then hike with varied elevation changes up to the Muterbergsee. Here it is time for a break before starting the last 5 kilometers. One more climb and two more descents, later you will be standing next to the Dresdner Hütte, your end point for today.

Today's stage may be short in distance, but it offers some of the most striking scenery of the Stubai Alps. Soon after leaving the Dresdner Hütte, you will cross a bridge over the Fernaubach Gorge and make your way towards the Steinmännchen Saddle, with its distinctive rocky terrain. From here, the trail starts to get real, with cables provided in sections to help with the ascent to the Peiljoch.

Shortly after conquering the highest point of the day, the route turns southward and rewards you with a closer look at the Sulzenausee. As you descend into the glacier valley, you will pass colorful, glacially polished rock formations before reaching a junction. Follow the signs east towards the Sulzenau Hütte, where the landscape softens and the views remain spectacular.

From the Sulzenau Hütte, it is worth taking an additional hike and visiting the "blauen Lacke." This lake is one of the highlights of the Wild Water Trail in the Stubai Mountains. Fed by meltwater from the upper glacier, the lake almost always shines in a distinct blue-turquoise color.

Many hikers describe this stage as the most beautiful stage of the Stubai Höhenweg. From green mountain meadows with rushing streams, to stone fields with impressive mountain lakes, to snow-white glacier giants, everything is there. 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) after you leave the Sulzenau Hütte you can already take a brief break at the clear blue Grünausee; you are almost halfway. Branch off north until 500 meters (1,640 feet) further on you are faced with a choice. Do you choose to hike via the Niederl and encounter the climbing and scrambling that makes the Stubai Mountains so special, or do you want to take it easy today? If so, walk the extended route along the top, via the Mairspitze. Whichever choice you make, the paths will meet again shortly before the Nürnberger Hütte and merge as you cover the last meters to your final destination. Be aware that the second half of this stage includes T4-rated trails, requiring surefootedness and a head for heights.

During this stage you will see how the glaciers have impressively shaped the landscape and rock formations. The panoramic views and unique landscape are simply impressive, and it is not for nothing that part of this stage is called "paradise." You will find this breathtaking piece of scenery after hiking 2.5 kilometers (1,5 miles) through the rugged, stony mountain area. Shortly after passing through ‘paradise’, the challenge begins to increase and you balance over loose rocks toward the Bremer Hütte. Hang your hiking poles on your bag as you climb along the mountainside through steel cables and ladders. Once you reach the Bremer Hütte, rest your feet in the small mountain lake and enjoy the peaks that surround you.

The next stage of the Stubaier Höhenweg lies before you. However, this stage is tough and should not be underestimated. The transition from the Bremer Hütte to the Innsbrucker Hütte is one of the most demanding stages of the Stubaier Höhenweg. Calculate for hiking times of 6 to 7 hours, plus 3 steep climbs with an altitude difference of about 200 to 300 altimeters. This section of the hut tour through the Stubai Valley is for experienced mountain hikers a "nice weather route". So be careful, especially when the weather is not optimal.

It may be a challenging stage where the right mindset and perseverance are indispensable, but then this makes for a real mountain goat experience. Because you have to ascend and descend 3 times, impressive rock formations and green plains alternate. This provides a continuous variation in scenery as you climb along the mountain sides. After a long day you will arrive at the Innsbrucker Hütte where you can celebrate today's victory with a well-deserved cold beer.

The last day of your Stubai adventure has arrived. Enjoy your breakfast before setting off in the direction of the Elferlifte. After almost 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) you will arrive at the Karalm. Enjoy a delicious Austrian Kaiserschmarrn or Apfelstrudel here. From here it is another 5 kilometers (3,1 miles) through the beautiful mountains with impressive sculptures. At 2,000 meters (6.561 feet) you will find the Elferhütte, which leads you by ski lift to the Elferlifte. This is a cable car that takes you back to Neustift, where you started your adventure 5 days ago. Once you are back in the valley, your hike through the Stubai Mountains is over and you can relax. Gut gemacht! (Well done!)

Note: The last ride of the Elferlifte is at 5:00 pm, except on Wednesdays when the lift operates longer. Tickets can be paid in cash or by card.