(8D-) Stubai High Trail

By train via Kufstein and Innsbruck to Steinach am Brenner, here change to the bus to the Gschnitz Valley. At the final stop (Gasthaus Feuerstein) begins the not too long but steep ascent with almost 1100 meters of elevation gain to the Innsbruck hut below the majestic summit of the Habicht (3277 m).

Innsbruck Hut

Stage 2 – 10.4 km, 893 m ↑, 848 m ↓, approx. 6 h

Below Habicht and Glättespitze, continuing roughly on the same altitude (2500 m) on the Stubai high trail directly to the summit of the Pramarnspitze (2511 m), from there then down into the high valley of the Bockgrubenbach, then again 200 meters up, following the ups and downs of the high trail to the Bremer hut.

Bremer Hut 

If aborting the tour: descent directly into the Gschnitz Valley to the already familiar bus stop.

Stage 3 – 10.3 km, 874 m ↑, 1093 m ↓, approx. 6 h

Either the evening before or early in the morning before breakfast, a trip without luggage to the Innere Wetterspitze (3053 m) is recommended; more than surefootedness and sometimes holding on is not required. The stage planned for this day is not so strenuous, especially since you can stop at the Nürnberger hut for a lunch break, which lies right on the way. Just behind this hut, the path climbs steeply up to a ridge and then back down: both sides are well secured with ropes. After another 2 hours, you reach the Sulzenauhütte. Alternatively, the 1 km longer but easier path over the southern Seescharte can be chosen: both paths meet again at the Grünausee.

Sulzenau Hut

If aborting the tour: descent directly into the Stubai Valley (bus stop at the end of the path).

Stage 4 – 5.8 km, 731 m ↑, 593 m ↓, approx. 4h

In the morning you now have the choice, depending on fitness, courage, and weather: either you decide to climb the Aperer Freiger (no fear of heights and absolute surefootedness required), for which I recommend leaving the backpack in a safe place. Or you hike directly to the next hut at the Stubai Glacier. Since this stage is short, the ascent via the Kleinen and Großen Trögler (2902 m), which can be mastered relatively safely (all critical places are secured with ropes), is recommended in good weather. Overnight stay is in the Dresdner Hut.

Dresden Hut

If aborting the tour: descent directly into the Stubai Valley (bus stop at the end of the path).

Stage 5 – 13.2 km, 958 m ↑, 978 m ↓, approx. 8 h

This stage is the most strenuous of the entire tour. You should start early here. The difficult mountain path leads past the Mutterbergsee to the Grawagrubennieder (2850 m), the highest point on the Stubai high trail. Then it goes steeply down into the High Falbeson valley. Shortly before reaching the Regensburger Hut, you encounter one of the most beautiful high moor areas, the Hochmoos.

New Regensburg Hut

If aborting the tour: descent directly into the Stubai Valley (bus stop at the end of the path).

Stage 6 – 9.1 km, 450 m ↑, 607 m ↓, approx. 5 h

If the last stage was strenuous and long, today you can relax a little again. At Schrimmennieder (2706 m), it's time for a break. Those who want more can climb in just over 100 vertical meters to the summit of Basslerjoch (2830 m). Then it mostly goes downhill to the Franz-Senn-Hütte.

Franz-Senn Hut 

If aborting the tour: descent to the Oberrissalm (also managed), where according to the public transport map a call taxi stops. 

Stage 7 – 11.2 km, 1251 m ↑, 1123 m ↓, approx. 8 h

If you don't head down to the valley today (then take the bus at Mulders in the Stubai Valley), you can climb again now, about 700 vertical meters, then pass the Schafgrübler (2922 m) to the north. From there, continue northwest, then downhill to the Melach Valley. Above Lüsens, you come across a road, which you follow left in a southern direction, later westward, then hike on a trail under the material cable car to the Westfalenhaus.

Westfalenhaus 

If aborting the tour: descent to Praxmar, where bus 4166 can be reached at the stop 'Praxmar Wendestelle' towards the Inn Valley and further to Innsbruck (see https://www.vvt.at: daily at 13:10, not more often - as of 02/14/2023).

Stage 8 – 16.4 km, 562 m ↑, 1658 m ↓, approx. 6 h

Today you go up again to almost 2800 m, to the Winnebachjoch, from where the path leads directly into the high valley around the Winnebachsee Hut with its lake. From there, the path runs again under a material cable car, which you follow to Gries, then continue left of the road (L239) to the Ötztal or hitchhike. In Längenfeld, you reach the Ötztalbus, which goes to Ötztal station. From there, the way home by train is clear.