Austrian Alps

Two nights in Innsbruck. We gather at the idyllic Austrian city of Innsbruck, a winter and summer playground along the Inn River. Our home for the first two nights is a bustling town, filled with visitors tensed to set off into the mountains—to hike hut to hut, to cycle pathways and trails, and scale peaks that challenge even the most skilled climber. We’ll be amongst them, bristling with anticipation, wondering which mountain and which path will be ours.

We’ll explore the Innsbruck area our first full day, cycling across hills that rise to the north, then returning to join revelers in the busy city. On our second morning we’ll head west, following a cycleway upstream along the Inn River, towards the highest Alps beyond. In many ways, it will be a gradual introduction, with modest grades leading us through a long, narrow valley. Our eyes will seek the summit but will be distracted by high peaks rising on either side, wondering if they’ll call us into their midst.

One night in Kühtai. At the summit of the long climb on the route that takes us out of Innsbruck and into the mountains, we find Kühtai, a small hamlet that serves as base for a ski area of the same name. In winter, skiers ride lifts to heights on either side. In summer, those same lifts, or roads exposed by melted snow, take hikers into those same peaks, ever higher.  If we arrive early enough, we’ll ride or hike to a high lake above the town, then face the tough decision of continuing to rocky spires above or heading back down to take in the beauty from the comfort of our hotel veranda. Or we can do both, either individually or as a group. Regardless of the choice we make, we’ll have taken our first dose of Alpine magnificence, up close and personal.

Two nights in Ried im Oberinntal. On leaving Kuhtai, we’ll drop out of the highlands to find the Inn River again, as few routes through this portion of the Tirol Alps stray far from this mighty waterway. As the river rises towards its source, we’ll find towns that first served as hubs for traditional ways of living and, just in the past century, hubs for modern recreational activities. Ried im Oberinntal is one such place, a small village that blends the traditional and modern. Once known only to local farmers and herders, Ried im Oberinntal is now a recreational hub for winter and summer outdoor enthusiasts.

Two nights in Saint Anton am Alberg. Saint Anton am Arlberg is a haven for skiers in winter and cyclists in summer, offering diverse terrain and thrilling routes that cater to all skill levels. The region’s well-maintained cycling paths and network of trails serve both mountain bikers and road cyclists, showcasing breathtaking vistas and serene landscapes. Whether craving intense mountain trails or leisurely rides through picturesque valleys, cyclists find ample opportunities to explore the beauty of the Arlberg region.

On our final morning, we’ll deliver you to the train station and say farewell and good luck on a life filled with adventures as amazing as the one just lived in this little corner of the Alps.