THE ADLERWEG
THE EAGLE’S WAY ACROSS THE AUSTRIAN TYROL
by
Mike Wells
2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
About the Author
Mike Wells has been walking long-distance footpaths for 25 years, after a holiday in New Zealand gave him the long-distance walking bug. Within a few years he had walked the major British trails, enjoying their range of terrain from straightforward downland tracks through to upland paths and challenging mountain routes. He then ventured into France – walking sections of the Grande Randonnée, including the GR5 through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean – and Italy to explore the Dolomites Alta Via routes. Further afield, he has walked in Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway and even Chilean Patagonia.
While working for a travel company he made frequent trips to the Austrian Tyrol, getting away whenever he could to walk in the mountains. It was on one of these trips that he first encountered the ‘Adlerweg’, a project to create a long-distance path stretching across the Tyrol from St Johann to St Anton. Subsequent visits enabled him to walk the entire path a number of times.
© Mike Wells 2012
First edition 2012
ISBN: 978 1 85284 641 1
Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.
To Christine, who accompanied me through the Tyrol until stopped by a broken leg, and Nassereith Bergrettungsdienst, who rescued her from Heimbachtal.
Advice to Readers
While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. If we know of any, there will be an Updates tab on this book’s page on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.
Warning
Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book. To call out the Mountain Rescue, ring the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police.
Front cover: Looking down into Birkkarklamm gorge, with Hinterautal at the end of the valley and Lafatscher on the skyline (Stage 11)
CONTENTS
National parks and protected areas
Safe walking
About this guide
THE ROUTE
Stage 1 St Johann in Tirol to Gaudeamushutte
Stage 2 Gaudeamushutte to Hintersteinersee
Stage 3 Hintersteinersee to Kufstein
SECTION 2 Brandenberger Alpen and Rofangebirge
Stage 4 Langkampfen to Buchackeralm
Stage 5 Buchackeralm to Kaiserhaus
