Self-Launched Alpine Walks in the Stubai Valley, Austria
8 days · Stubai Valley, Austria
Exodus charges £1,790
No-markup version: ~£820 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
The Stubai Valley is one of the Austrian Tyrol's most spectacular alpine playgrounds — and the good news is you don't need a guided tour to experience it. This self-launched version follows the same 8-day single-centre itinerary based in Neustift-Milders, tackling the same trails across the Elfer massif, Stubai Glacier, Schlick 2000, and the Kartnall valley. Swap the included 4* hotel for a comfortable 3* guesthouse or Pension (plenty of excellent options in Neustift), buy the Stubai Super Card independently (it's publicly available and covers free buses and cable car discounts), use the free Komoot or AllTrails apps instead of a paid navigation app, and self-cater lunches from local bakeries and mountain huts. These are all well-marked, well-documented trails accessible to any moderately fit independent walker. Estimated costs below are approximate and per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Neustift-Milders
Neustift im Stubaital, Austria
Make your way to Neustift-Milders in the Stubai Valley. From Innsbruck airport or main train station, take the STB Stubaibahn tram or the 590 bus directly to Neustift (roughly 40 minutes, ~£5). Check into your guesthouse or Pension — options like Gasthof Stern or Pension Plattnerhof offer excellent value with breakfast from around £60-80/night. Pick up your Stubai Super Card from the local tourist office (Tourismusverband Stubai Tirol) — this gives you free use of all public buses in the valley and discounts on cable cars throughout your stay. Get your bearings with a gentle stroll around the village, grab dinner at a local Gasthof and enjoy a Tyrolean Gröstl or Käsespätzle.
🚌Train or bus from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof to Neustift, ~40 mins, ~£5. From the UK, fly into Innsbruck (INN) — budget flights often available from ~£60-100 return.
🛏Pension or 3* Gasthof in Neustift-Milders (e.g. Gasthof Stern, Pension Plattnerhof) — approx £65-80/night B&B
- →Travel from Innsbruck to Neustift via 590 bus or Stubaibahn tram (~£5)
- →Collect your Stubai Super Card from the Neustift tourist office
- →Explore the village of Neustift-Milders on foot
- →Dinner at a local Gasthof — try Tyrolean classics like Gröstl or Käsespätzle (~£15-20)
Elfer Bergstation Circular
Elfer Mountain, Neustift
Your first big walk: take the Elferbahn cable car up to Elfer Bergstation (upper station). The Stubai Super Card gives you a discount. At the top, find the iconic giant sundial — the largest in the European Alps — set on a spectacular viewing platform over the Stubai Valley. Follow the well-marked trail to Autenalm farm, with an optional detour up to Zindegg summit for even more dramatic views. Descend through the Pinnistal valley and loop back to the cable car. The route is 12km with around 600m of ascent — a solid half-day. Download the route in advance on Komoot (free) or AllTrails. Pack a picnic lunch from a village bakery.
🚌Walk to Elferbahn cable car station from Neustift village centre (10 mins). Cable car ~£12-16 return with Stubai Super Card discount.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Elferbahn cable car to Elfer Bergstation (Stubai Super Card discount applies, ~£12-16 return)
- →Visit the largest sundial sculpture in the European Alps on the summit viewing platform
- →Hike to Autenalm farm with optional detour to Zindegg summit
- →Descend through Pinnistal valley back to cable car station
- →Download route on Komoot or AllTrails (free)
Kartnall Nature Walk
Neustift & Kartnall
A gentler day — perfect for recovering legs. This 6km out-and-back walk begins directly from Neustift village and follows the Ruetz river valley up to the historic Kartnall farming quarter, farmed since the 13th century. Active family farms still produce butter, grey cheese, and curd cheese here — look out for farm stalls selling local dairy produce. The trail is flat to gently undulating with benches along the way for views. Return following the same river path. A great morning walk, leaving the afternoon free to use the hotel/guesthouse wellness facilities or explore Neustift's shops and cafés.
🚌Walk starts and ends in Neustift village — no transport needed.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Self-navigate the 6km Kartnall Nature Walk from Neustift (free — no cable car needed)
- →Visit working family farms at Kartnall — buy local cheese and butter directly from farm stalls (~£5)
- →Return walk along the Ruetz river
- →Afternoon free — explore Neustift village, local churches, or wellness facilities
Stubai Glacier Trail
Stubai Glacier (Top of Tyrol), 3,210m
The undisputed highlight of the week. Take the free valley bus (Stubai Super Card) from Neustift to Mutterbergalm (30 mins), then ride the Stubaier Gletscher cable car up to Eisgrat at over 3,200m — 'Top of Tyrol'. The Stubai Super Card gives a significant cable car discount. Up here you'll find commanding views across the Italian Dolomites, Austria's highest mountain restaurant, and in summer an incredible ice grotto — a walk-in tunnel carved through the 1,000-year-old glacier (included in cable car ticket). The 2km glacier hike is short but extraordinary. The summit platform protrudes 9 metres over the cliff edge. Book cable car tickets in advance online at stubaier-gletscher.com to avoid queues.
🚌Free bus Neustift to Mutterbergalm (Stubai Super Card covers this). Cable car to Eisgrat ~£25-35 return.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Free bus from Neustift to Mutterbergalm (Stubai Super Card)
- →Stubaier Gletscher cable car to Eisgrat 3,210m — book online at stubaier-gletscher.com (~£25-35 return with Stubai Super Card discount)
- →Walk the 2km glacier trail at the 'Top of Tyrol'
- →Visit the ice grotto (summer only, included in cable car ticket)
- →Lunch at Austria's highest mountain restaurant with panoramic Dolomite views (~£15-20)
Gratzengrubel Nature Walk
Elfer Mountain & Neustift
The longest day of the week at 15km — a proper mountain hike from the Elferbahn cable car station, climbing steadily to the Elferhütte restaurant at around 2,080m. From here, take in the dramatic contrast between the rugged limestone towers of the Serles ridge and the ancient prehistoric rock of the Stubai massif. The trail winds past mountain huts and small eateries — stop at one for a traditional Jause (Austrian mountain snack plate) of bread, cold meats, and cheese (~£8-12). Panoramic views throughout before a final long descent back into Neustift. Download full route on Komoot before setting out.
🚌Walk to Elferbahn cable car from Neustift (10 mins). Cable car ~£12-16 with Stubai Super Card.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Elferbahn cable car to start point (~£12-16 with Stubai Super Card discount)
- →15km hike via Elferhütte restaurant to Gratzengrubel viewpoints
- →Stop at a mountain hut for a traditional Tyrolean Jause snack (~£8-12)
- →Panoramic views of Serles limestone ridge vs Stubai prehistoric rock
- →Descend on foot back to Neustift village
Elfer — One of the Seven Summits
Elfer Mountain (Elferspitze), Neustift
Return to Elfer Mountain for its signature experience — a summit push to the Elfer cross at 2,499m and the highest point, Elferkofel, at 2,505m. Time your arrival from the cable car to catch 11am, when the sun illuminates the back face of Elferspitze in its famous spotlight. The blunt Dolomite rock towers make for dramatic photography. This 8km route has more technical sections than previous walks so wear sturdy hiking boots and bring poles if you have them. Return on the cable car or descend on foot if legs allow. A well-earned dinner in Neustift tonight.
🚌Walk to Elferbahn cable car from Neustift. Cable car ~£12-16 with Stubai Super Card.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Elferbahn cable car to Elferhütte (~£12-16 with Stubai Super Card discount)
- →Summit hike to Elfer cross (2,499m) and Elferkofel (2,505m) — 8km round trip
- →Time arrival for 11am sun spotlight on Elferspitze
- →Photography of the dramatic Dolomite rock formations
- →Return by cable car or on foot
Alpine Pastures in Schlick 2000
Schlick 2000, Fulpmes
Take the free valley bus (Stubai Super Card) to Fulpmes and board the Schlick 2000 gondola up to the alpine plateau. This gentler 8km walk follows forest trails to Schlickeralm Hütte — a beautiful mountain hut with a sun terrace — and continues to the stunning Panoramasee lake, set in a natural mountain bowl with incredible alpine reflections. Hire a sun lounger by the lake and soak it all in — this is the most relaxing day of the week. Return to the gondola and head back to Neustift for a celebratory final dinner.
🚌Free bus Neustift to Fulpmes (Stubai Super Card). Schlick 2000 gondola ~£15-20 return.
🛏Same Pension/Gasthof as Day 1
- →Free bus to Fulpmes (Stubai Super Card)
- →Schlick 2000 gondola to alpine plateau (~£15-20 return with Stubai Super Card discount)
- →8km walk via forest trails to Schlickeralm Hütte for coffee and cake (~£6)
- →Hike to Panoramasee alpine lake — relax on sun loungers
- →Celebratory final dinner back in Neustift (~£20-25)
Depart Neustift
Neustift / Innsbruck
Enjoy a final breakfast at your guesthouse. If your flight allows, squeeze in one more short walk — the flat Ruetz riverside path from Neustift makes a peaceful farewell stroll. Otherwise, pack up and take the 590 bus or Stubaibahn tram back to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (~40 mins, covered by Stubai Super Card on the valley section). Innsbruck airport is a further short bus ride or taxi from the city centre. Safe travels!
🚌590 bus or Stubaibahn tram Neustift to Innsbruck ~40 mins, ~£5. Local bus to Innsbruck airport ~£3.
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Optional final morning walk along the Ruetz riverside path (free)
- →Check out of accommodation
- →Bus or tram back to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (~40 mins, Stubai Super Card covers valley section)
- →Transfer to Innsbruck airport (INN) by local bus (~£3)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£820 | £1,790 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £970 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£820
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Alpine Walks in the Stubai Valley, Austria cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £820 per person for 8 days in Stubai Valley, Austria. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,790 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £820 — a saving of roughly £970 (54%) per person.
How long is the Stubai Valley, Austria trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Stubai Valley, Austria.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, slow-travel trip through Stubai Valley, Austria, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.