A Hut to Hut hiking trip in the Stubai and Zillertal ranges
of the Austrian Tirol
August 26th to September 12th, 2000
Story: Stephen Kamnitzer,
pictures Peggy Gemert, Orval White.
(Day 1, General Information)
| I had arranged to meet my friends in Innsbruck as they had left earlier to
first do some sightseeing in Bavaria (see Peggy's pictures) and
the Czech Republic. I flew from Toronto to Zurich arriving early in the
morning. From Zurich I took the train, which cost SF 75 ( about Can $75)
and about four hours to Innsbruck.
Train travel in Europe is generally very well organized and trains run frequently and are
almost always on time. One train ticket took one all the way from Zurich Airport, with one
change of train in Zurich, to Innsbruck. The ultra-modern train from Zurich airport to
Zurich leaves every 10 minutes and from there is a fast train (no changes) every two
hours or so to Innsbruck. Complete European Train Schedules are available at www.eurorail.com. There is no need to
pre-book a seat on the trains in Europe unless its an overnight train and one wants
a bed. I did not buy a Eurail pass (which must be purchased at home before one leaves) as
I would not be making sufficient journeys by train to make it worthwhile. The train ride from Zurich to Innsbruck goes along the side of the Zurich See, through the famous Arlberg Tunnel and then down the Inn Valley to Innsbruck. The scenery is exceptional all the way, with mountains all around.. I noticed many cyclists on the bike trail that runs along the edge of the Zurich See and also on the trails and minor roads in the Inn Valley. |
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| In Innsbruck I met my eight companions (Anne, Steve,
Robin, Dagmar, Orval, Peggy, Grethe and Eleanor) as prearranged at the Pension Zillertal which is 10 minutes walk from the train station. I
had booked the pension over the Internet having found it listed on http://www.tourismus-tirol.com/innsbruck/index.html
The Pension can be contacted via email at pensionzillertal@surfeu.at I had first tried the Innsbruck
accommodation service but they only offered expensive hotels. The Pension is very nice and
only CAN$40 B+B with a big breakfast.
As a group we were scheduled to spend 8 days hiking hut-to-hut in the
Stubai, a range of mountains a short distance south-west of Innsbruck. After that I would
be spending one week hiking with my son in the Zillertal, a short distance to the east. |
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Next, please click here to see pictures
and a day to day description of our trip.
Please click here for general information about hiking in
Austria.
Please click here to see Peggy's pictures
of Innsbruck and castles in Bavaria.
