Walking for Beginners in Austria 

At 2962m, the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain and Austria’s 14th. Its northern face dominates the vibrant Bavarian resort of Garmisch (good for a day trip if you take a rest day during your stay), whilst on its southern (or Austrian) side, described by locals as the sunny side, it converges with other prominent massifs to form a remarkable natural bowl known as the Zugspitz Arena. 

Lying amidst lush and pretty alpine meadows in the middle of this natural splendour is Ehrwald, the base for our popular centre-based walking holidays in the Austrian Alps. Ehrwald is a picture-postcard Tyrolean village with startling views in every direction. With many walks of all grades, from easy lakeside strolls, to challenging treks on exposed ridges, it is a classic alpine gem for walking holidays in Europe’s most mountainous country. This includes some perfect days out for beginners and leisurely strollers. 

Moderate Walks in the Austrian Alps

There are countless easy and moderate walks here. I mention moderate walks, because  some of our easier moderate classics are often enticing to beginners, who want to push themselves and maybe get a glimpse of terrain that is considered a little more challenging. Either way, we have enchanting walks on tracks that traverse the flower meadows that stretch out towards Lermoos and Biberwier, which share the Zugspitz Arena with Ehrwald. For a sensational view of Ehrwald, head for the Wolfrathauser Hütte (see the picture!). There are also classic strolls on the banks of the River Loisach, which descends to Garmisch before eventually spilling out into the Danube. 

You can also wander to the waterfall on the Rundwasserfall weg, or along the old mill path, flanked by the crystal-clear waters of the River Gaisbach and vivid flower pastures. On the Partnach Klamm, our easiest stroll, the River Partnach plummets spectacularly from the Zugspitze glacier into a ravine, forming a memorable backdrop. High above Ehrwald, the glacial lakes of Seebensee and Drachensee send icy water crashing to the valley. Indeed, dramatic waterfalls are a feature of our easier walks. There are also some impressive gorges, notably in the Wetterstein group, which provides a variety of absorbing leisurely strolls. Easy tracks circumnavigate many local lakes, which are perfect for picnics and swimming. 

In my opinion you can’t beat Ehrwald, although Lermoos would be a close second. Dominated by its onion-domed church, Ehrwald is surrounded by rich floral meadows, all of them towered over by a seemingly unending rim of awesome mountains. It is also the arena’s main village and boasts an attractive selection of cafes, bars, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. It is unquestionably an outstanding launchpad for an Austrian walking holiday and this is why Collett’s decided to base itself at the heart of the village at Hotel Sonnenspitze. 

Ehrwald is effectively the beating heart of the Zugspitz Arena. It is the main hub for a brilliant local bus service that caters for walkers, along with its 2 cable cars, which offer access to glorious vantage points and sensational walking options. Ehrwald also has a railway station, making it accessible without having to self-drive or hire a car. Munich Airport is just 2hrs by train from the village.