Stubai Alps Crossing – 10 days of pure adventure
Hiking Collection by Tobias Büttel
6-13
days
3-6 h
/ day
55.1 mi
19,900 ft
21,525 ft
The Stubai Alps rise imposingly to the southwest of Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol. Rugged 3,000-metre (9,843 ft) peaks with mighty glaciers, picturesque high valleys and twinkling mountain lakes characterise the landscape of this mountain group, where ibex, eagles and bearded vultures are at home. During this 10-day crossing, you will get up close to the immense glaciers, climb to panoramic peaks at over 3,200 metres (10,499 ft) and enjoy the wonderful high mountain landscape. The crossing is 89 kilometres (55 mi) long and you will conquer a whopping 6,000 metres (19,685 ft) of elevation gain.
Ten days of adventure and unforgettable views await you in the high mountains, but you shouldn’t underestimate the stages. You don't need glacier equipment, but some of the route leads over challenging high alpine paths. Surefootedness, sturdy shoes and sufficient high-mountain experience are necessary.
The traverse starts in the north of the Stubai Alps at Sankt Sigmund im Sellrain and leads you in a wide arc through the mountain group to Neder at the beginning of the Stubai Valley. In addition to the planned ascents, there are other optional summit objectives along the way. The various options are listed in the Tour descriptions.
You’ll spend the night in cosy huts, which serve delicious regional food. The huts on the last stages are particularly popular, so book your place early. Always pack enough water and food for the journey. You can fill up on both at the huts.
The best time of year is between the beginning of July and mid-September. Find out beforehand whether the huts are open and what the conditions are like on the trails. In the high mountains, it can get very cold and snow even in summer. The route doesn’t involve contact with glaciers, but fields of old snow at high altitudes can persist into the summer. Be especially careful when crossing such fields. You should also be aware of the thunderstorm risk in high summer. Check the weather forecast before setting off and ask the hut keepers along the way.
Ten unforgettable days in a breathtaking high mountain landscape await you. So pack your rucksack and set off on your adventure.
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: January 13, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- Expert02:544.58 mi1.6 mph2,575 ft25 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The first stage of the crossing begins in the small town of Sankt Sigmund im Sellrain at the northern end of the Stubai Alps. Before you are 780 meters in altitude and about seven and a half kilometers of route until you reach the Pforzheimer Hütte.
On this day you hike through the picturesque and natural…
- Expert04:255.18 mi1.2 mph2,050 ft2,975 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The second stage takes you up high for the first time. You climb the Gleirscher Rosskogel before descending to the Schweinfurter Hütte. At 2,994 meters, the summit is just under six meters short of the magical 3,000 mark.
After a good breakfast in the hut, it's straight uphill to the Gleirschjöchl. 400…
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
- Expert04:406.54 mi1.4 mph2,650 ft1,575 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
You climb another promising mountain pass on the third stage. Around 800 meters in altitude and ten and a half kilometers through a beautiful high mountain landscape are on the agenda today.
You hike through the lonely and picturesque Zwieselbachtal along the crystal-clear Horlachbach in the direction…
- Expert03:365.89 mi1.6 mph1,575 ft2,250 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
At the beginning of the fourth stage you first go downhill towards Gries. A total of 700 vertical meters downhill and around 500 vertical meters uphill, spread over ten kilometers to the Amberger Hütte, are on the program.
Passing the mighty Winnebach waterfall you descend until shortly before Gries…
- Expert06:067.46 mi1.2 mph3,400 ft2,825 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The fifth stage is high, at over 3,200 meters. The breathtaking views along the way easily make up for the 1,030 meters in altitude and over twelve kilometers.
You hike through the picturesque Sulztal in the direction of the Sulztalferner, before you cross the rushing Wannenbach over a small metal bridge…
- Expert03:083.78 mi1.2 mph1,450 ft1,800 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The sixth stage of the crossing of the Stuabaier Alps has another highlight ready for you, the Sulzenausee at the foot of the Sulzenau Glacier. At around six kilometers and 440 meters in altitude, it is the shortest day tour of the crossing. Ideal after the strenuous stage the day before.
You first hike…
- Expert04:455.02 mi1.1 mph2,675 ft2,375 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
On the seventh stage you climb another three-thousander with a fantastic view before descending to the cozy Nürnberger Hütte. You climb a total of 810 vertical meters on the way to the hut.
On the way to the summit of the Gamsspitzl you will pass another picturesque mountain lake. The Grünau lake with…
- Expert03:103.62 mi1.1 mph1,725 ft1,300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The eighth stage of the crossing will be paradisiacal. It is already on the signpost shortly after the Nürnberger Hütte, the "paradise". But first you have to descend a bit and cross a raging glacial stream on a bridge. On the other side you climb around 300 meters in altitude on a partly rope-secured…
- Expert04:346.49 mi1.4 mph1,825 ft2,000 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The penultimate stage takes you alternately uphill and downhill to the Innsbrucker Hütte. Altogether it is 550 meters uphill and 610 meters downhill. There are two variants of different difficulty. I will introduce you to the more demanding but scenically more beautiful variant over the beautiful Lauterersee…
- Expert03:416.58 mi1.8 mph4,425 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
On the last stage you hike around 1,350 meters downhill through the beautiful Pinnistal to Neder. After you leave the Innsbrucker Hütte behind you, you can let your gaze wander over the Pinnistal and the surrounding mountains again.
As you slowly descend through the idyllic valley, you will pass some…
Like this Collection?
Collection Stats
- Tours10
- Distance55.1 mi
- Duration40:59 h
- Elevation19,900 ft21,525 ft
You Might Also Like
Hiking Collection by Innsbruck
Hiking Collection by Stubai
Hiking Collection by Kit P
Hiking Collection by Kit P