Self-Guided Kitzbuhel to Three Peaks Hiking Tour

Make your way to the charming alpine town of Kitzbühel, nestled in the Tyrolean Alps. After checking into your accommodation, take time to explore this historic mountain resort at your leisure. The remainder of the day is yours to rest and prepare for the week ahead.

Your hiking journey begins below the Kitzbüheler Südberge, passing through small villages adorned with flower-filled balconies and rustic farmsteads. The route leads through Aurach in Tyrol, a picturesque hamlet immortalized by artist Alfons Walde's paintings of its church and village square. This gentle introduction to alpine walking offers beautiful valley views before reaching Jochberg for the night.

A shuttle transports you to the trailhead where you'll climb through verdant alpine pastures toward the mountains. The path ascends via the Gauxjoch to reach Trattenbachalm and continues to Hartkaserhöhe, where you'll cross the provincial border between Tyrol and Salzburg. Optional cable car descent available before a bus connection brings you to Mittersill.

Transfer from Mittersill to the Matreier Tauernhaus, gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park. The trail climbs steadily through meadows and larch forests to reach Venedigerblick, offering spectacular glacier views of the Großvenediger massif. A well-marked circuit leads toward Innergschlöss across pristine alpine terrain before returning to the Tauernhaus, with public transport onward to Matrei.

Following a bus ride to Mariahilf, you'll ascend through shaded forest paths to reach the Gsieser Törl, a historic pass once used by smugglers crossing between Austria and Italy in the 1920s and 30s. Panoramic views stretch across to the Pragser Dolomites as you cross into South Tyrol. The descent into the peaceful Gsiesertal valley passes numerous alpine huts serving regional specialties like bacon dumplings and Kaiserschmarrn.

The trail continues southward with the Dolomites drawing ever closer. From Gsiesertal, a steady forested climb leads to the Frondeign crossing, with an optional more athletic variant via Schuieralm available. The path descends to Wahlen where the valley opens to reveal dramatic peaks including Neunerkofel, Haunold, and the imposing Dürrenstein massif framing the Höhlenstein valley.

A morning bus delivers you to the Three Peaks viewpoint for the tour's grand finale. Hike across the Rienzböden and up through Rienztal valley to reach the legendary Drei Zinnen, the most recognizable landmark in the Dolomites and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to the famous Dreizinnenhütte before descending below the Paternkofel, site of World War I battles where mountain guide Sepp Innerkofler perished, into the scenic Fischleintal valley. A bus transfer returns you to Toblach.

Your alpine crossing concludes with departure from Toblach at your convenience, or you may choose to extend your stay and explore more of the Dolomite region.