Trins: the Austrian Tyrol

Just south of Innsbruck, among the rolling hills of the Gschnitzal Valley lies Trins, a quaint village with authentic Tyrolean buildings and some great opportunities for walking adventures. On your journey through ancient villages filled with onion-domed churches, you will learn why Tyroleans are so proud of their homeland as you enjoy some spectacular views across the mountainous paradise. Making use of the ski-lifts and efficient local buses, you will reach the summit of Nosslachjoch (2231m) or, alternatively, enjoy a scenic trek to Obernbergersee Lake (1600m) where you'll spot St Nikolaus Church perched on a hill in the middle of the valley. Thanks to the wide variety of walks available, two grades are offered in the same week on particular dates, with a different leader escorting each grade (see Dates & Prices). Based in a warm, welcoming hotel, you can also enjoy many sumptuous courses of traditional Tyrolean cuisine including gorgeous Knodel (dumplings) and Grostl (roasted potatoes).

Enjoy a delicious 5 course gourmet dinner every evening during designated Gourmet Weeks. The hotel Wienerhof is part of the Tiroler Wirthaus (an association of Traditional Tyrolean restaurants) and offers fantastic tyrolean as well as international cuisine, usually prepared with fresh, locally-sourced produce.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Start Trins.

Day 2 - 7
Six guided daywalks through Gschnitztal and Obernberg valleys. All walking is optional and you may choose simply to relax in the hotel or visit Innsbruck for the day. Grade B walking will include climbing to the old chapel of St. Magdalena, perched on a ledge at 1600m above the valley floor. Using a cable car to gain height, we can ascend the summit of Nösslachjoch (2231m) for a wonderful walk along an open ridge, before descending gently to the valley floor. Making use of public buses, we also walk to the scenic Obernbergersee Lake (1600m) and onto the attractive church of St. Nikolaus, perched on a hill in the middle of the valley.
Grade C will involve walking to reach a selection of the mountain huts in the immediate area of the Gschnitztal, including the Padasterjochhaus (2232 m), the Tribulaunhütte (2064 m) and the Blaserhütte (2180m) each with stunning views of the glacier-clad Stubai Alps. From the Obernberg valley, we ascend to the Portjoch (2110 m) for a magnificent balcony route on the Italian side of the border ridge, with, on a clear day, spectacular views of the Dolomites far to the south.

Day 8
End Trins

Is this trip for you?
Trins is perfectly situated with access to two, possibly three, incredibly different valleys. Public buses often take us to the start of each walk, which conveniently stop directly outside our hotel. Each evening, your leaders explain what B and C grade walking is on offer for the next day so clients can choose which walk to join.

This is the main advantage of a multi-grade holiday, as friends with differing ability can travel together. B grade entails walking between 5 and 7 hours per day. The area you are visiting is criss-crossed by a network of long established trails and walking paths, most of them well maintained and way-marked. Even so, paths will be rocky and on occasion exposed. C grade entails walking between 6 and 8 hours per day at an easy but steady pace. You will be using established trails and mountain paths, these will often be steep, rocky and more exposed than the grade B walks; and therefore unsuitable for anyone with a fear of heights. Grade: B (Moderate) & C (Challenging) Most days at this centre are around 6 hours of actual walking, but the level of ascent for Grade B is up to 800m and Grade C usually 1000m.