Intensive Venediger Höhenenweg - Including Accommodation before and after

Duration: 7 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day
> Hike through Austria's oldest National Park
> Stay in historic Austrian mountain huts
> Breathtaking views of the Großvenediger
> Accommodation before and after the trek is included

The Venetian High Road, better known as "Venediger Höhenweg" in German, is a popular long-distance hiking trail in the Austrian Alps. This route offers hikers spectacular views of some of the most impressive mountain landscapes in Austria, including the Venediger Group, from which the route takes its name.

One of the best things about the Venediger Höhenweg is the variety of landscapes. The steep mountain passes and rugged trails will test you but you will be rewarded with impressive mountain peaks, glaciers, mountain lakes, rivers and alpine meadows. In short, you can fully enjoy true Austrian beauty on this tour. The Venediger Group dominates the panoramic view with its distinctive peaks, including the Großvenediger, Austria's 4th highest mountain.

All in all, this challenging hiking trail offers an unforgettable hiking experience for nature and mountain lovers. As this route combines several stages of the original route, it is essential you have hiking experience to ensure you reach the hut in time. With a little sense of adventure and the right pace, you can hike around the Grossvenediger in less than a week.

Itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Matrei in Osttirol

Today, you will arrive in Austria and be welcomed at a charming hotel in Matrei in Osttirol, a cosy village near the starting point of your tour. Your overnight stay includes breakfast to start your journey off right.

Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)

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Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)
Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)
Day
2

Matrei in Osttirol - Hinterbichl - Johannishütte

Duration: 09:05 h
Distance: 16.4 km
Ascent: 1470 m
Descent: 680 m
Start your day with a good breakfast at the hotel before taking bus 951 towards Hinterbichl. After about half an hour, you will find yourself at the foot of the Venedigergruppe and can begin the Venediger Höhenweg. From here, the first 3 km lead you along the Isel River to the Ströden parking area and the entrance to Hohe Tauern National Park. To shorten today’s stage a little, you could choose to drive your own car to the starting point instead of taking the bus, and leave it at this parking area, beginning your mountain adventure from here. The next 2 km (1,2 miles) are an easy walk, and shortly after passing the Stornalm, the real challenge of the day begins. The final 4 km (2,4 miles) climb significantly steeper, and after about 2.5 hours you will have gained 640 metres (2.099 feet) in elevation. At the end of this climb the Essener-Rostocker-Hütte can be found, where it may be time for a small break. Do pack your bag again quickly because the Türmljoch awaits you. After a 2 km (1,2 miles) walk you will be at the foot of this 2,844 meter (9.330 feet) peak. Spread over 4.5 km (2.8 miles) you climb via zigzag paths to 2,761 meters (9.058 feet) and walk along the Türmljoch Spitze. You descend directly back to the Johannishütte, where a cold beer awaits.

Johannishütte

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Johannishütte
Johannishütte
Day
3

Johannishütte - Bonn-Matreier Hütte

Duration: 08:00 h
Distance: 12.4 km
Ascent: 1250 m
Descent: 660 m
The real challenge of the Venediger Höhenweg begins today and can be compared slightly to some sections of the Stubaier Höhenweg. Are you ready for it? The narrow paths and rugged terrain demand the right mindset. Fortunately, you'll be aided by the steel cables in the mountains that you can hold onto. With some climbing and scrambling, you'll be guided over the Zopetscharte (2,958m/9.704ft) and past the Tulpspitze (3,054m/10.019ft). After ascending for 3.5 km (2,2 miles), the descent begins, which will take you down to a lower point in the same way and through the same landscape. Here, you can take a break at the Eisseehütte. After you continue, you will be walking along narrow paths where you can look relatively steeply down the side, so be sure to leave your fear of heights at home. This does provide impressive panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and a true sense of freedom. After completing two-thirds of the hike, you'll need to conquer two more steep ascents over a span of 2,5 km (1,5 miles). Then, you'll arrive at the Bonn-Matreier Hütte, the endpoint for today.

Bonn-Matreier Hütte

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Bonn-Matreier Hütte
Bonn-Matreier Hütte
Day
4

Bonn-Matreier Hütte - Badener Hütte

Duration: 05:30 h
Distance: 9.2 km
Ascent: 530 m
Descent: 680 m

Your Venediger Höhenweg and its challenge continues. During this stage, you'll begin with a short ascent to the highest point of the day. Once you reach 2.840 meters (9.317), you'll walk over the Galtenscharte with the 2.986-meter-high (9.796 feet) Galtenkogel on your right. Immediately after crossing the rugged ridge, the descent of over 500 altitude meters (1.640 feet) begins. For 4 kilometers (2,5 miles), you'll walk through a lower-lying area where you'll trade the rocky landscape of the mountain ridge for greener plains. You'll pass narrow mountain paths and steep mountain walls before steadily ascending to the Badener Hütte.

Please note: The Badener Hütte is a beautiful example of an authentic Austrian mountain hut and therefore only accepts cash payments at the time of arrival. Of course, Bookatrekking.com will take care of your reservation including half board but the cost is not included in the total package. Therefore, make sure you have enough cash with you to pay for the hut (+/- €70 per person).

Badener Hütte

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Badener Hütte
Badener Hütte
Day
5

Badener Hütte - Neue Prager Hütte

Duration: 05:10 h
Distance: 10.4 km
Ascent: 780 m
Descent: 630 m

Your day starts peacefully, but you'll soon be put to the test as you are required to climb a small mountain wall using a steel cable. Be especially cautious if it has rained, as the rocks may be even more slippery. After conquering this short climb, you'll have about 1.5 kilometers (0,9 miles) at high altitude before descending about 580 meters (1.902 miles) to reach today's lowest point. You'll get to enjoy a slightly flatter path for a brief moment before continuing with today's ascent. During the last 3 kilometers (1,9 miles), you'll encounter glaciers, rocks eroded by meltwater, and the historic Alte Prager Hütte. A little further, you'll find the Neue Prager Hütte. Here, it's time to trade your hiking boots for a delicious Austrian Apfelstrudel and appreciate the surroundings of the Großvenediger.

Please note: Just like the Badener Hütte, the Neue Prager Hütte cannot be paid for before arrival. However, unlike the Badener Hütte, the Neue Prager Hütte does accept card payments on-site. Bookatrekking.com will of course arrange your reservation including half board, but the hut costs are not included in the total package. Please make sure to bring enough money with you to settle the payment on-site (+/- €70 per person).

Neue Prager Hütte

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Neue Prager Hütte
Neue Prager Hütte
Day
6

Neue Prager Hütte - Matrei in Osttirol

Duration: 04:30 h
Distance: 10.9 km
Descent: 1240 m
Today marks the start of the relatively easy final stage of the Venediger Höhenweg. After breakfast, you walk back to the Alte Prager Hütte. Take one last look back in the direction of the Grossvenediger before continuing with the steady 4.5-kilometre descent. Once you reach the valley, it’s another 6 kilometres to the endpoint. After passing the Felsenkapelle, a small chapel built into the rock wall, the Matreier Tauernhaus is the final stop of the day. This is the moment to take off your hiking boots, because your beautiful Venediger Höhenweg adventure has come to an end. Well done!

Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)

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Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)
Hotel Goldried (Matrei in Osttirol)
Day
7

Departure

Today you will have breakfast at your hotel and your holiday will come to an end.

Included

  • Booking the huts

    We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Venediger Höhenweg for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.

  • Full travel guide

    You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Venediger Höhenweg. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.

  • Accommodation

    During your Venediger Höhenweg, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.

  • Half-board in Huts

    Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.

  • Accommodation before and after the tour

    Accommodation before and after the trek is included. Breakfast is (if possible) part of your stay.

  • Navigation support

    Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

  • Payment Neue Prager Hütte and Badener Hütte

    Your stays at the Neue Prager Hütte and Badener Hütte are reserved but not yet paid. The Neue Prager Hütte accepts card payments, but the Badener Hütte does NOT. Please bring sufficient CASH with you (around €70 per person per hut), as these costs are not included in the total trip price and must be paid on-site.

FAQ

  • Is the Venediger High Trail Suitable for Me?

  • What Is the Best Season for the Venediger Höhenweg?

  • What if the dates I want are not available?

  • If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

  • How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

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Packing List for the Venediger Höhenweg

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