South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Hiking in the Limestone Alps
Austria
Jul
Aug
Sep
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 19400
This is a grade 6 and 8 holiday where you can choose the grade of walk you wish to participate in on a daily basis depending on the group ability and size.
Our grade 6 programme includes walking routes at the top of the grade with an element of exposure so you do need a head for heights and must be sure-footed. Typically such sections occur along a well-made path where for 10 to 20 metres there is a drop to one side. Expect full days of walking up to 6 hours in length and between 6-10 miles. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 6 itinerary is 2259m. We will be accompanied by a local flower and herb expert, Mischa for a part of one of our walks, where we will learn about the local flora and enjoy the beautiful views.
The walks in our grade 8 programme are relatively short in terms of distance, but there are some steep and rough ascents and descents and occasionally a good head for heights and sure-footedness are needed. There are also plenty of lower level walks for wet weather days. Ascents and descents vary between 900-1500m and walks can take up to 5.5 hours. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 8 itinerary is 2299m.
There is a wealth of harder walking around the Achensee. We use local buses and cable cars to access our walks, though some walks start and / or end at the hotel. It really is a walker’s paradise – from the top of the Rofan cable car lift alone there are 150km of marked paths. The Achensee is at a height of 900m; using the Rofan Lift which takes us to the Erfurter mountain hut at over 1800m, peaks well over 2000m become accessible.
Overview
If you are looking at this one week holiday why not make your stay two weeks by joining us on The Stubai & Achensee.
We will be walking in the mountains surrounding the beautiful turquoise waters of the Achensee in the Brandenberg Alps. All of our walks will have views of the beautiful lake. The area where we walk can be split roughly into three – Achenkirch where our hotel is to the north of the lake with generally easier mountains, the Rofan mountains with several accessible peaks to the east, and the Karwendel range to the south and west.
Achenkirch is a pretty alpine village with traditional buildings, window boxes and spectacular scenery. In winter, Achenkirch is ideal for winter sports whereas summer is perfect for hikes and rides across the lake on a sailing boat or traditional steamboat! It is an ideal all year round destination! The mountain rock is limestone throughout, so the flowers are wonderful. Marmots and chamois can pretty well be guaranteed and ibex are sometimes seen in the Karwendel. There are plenty of mountain cafes with beer and cake and terraces from where you can soak up the views!
This holiday is offered at Grade 6 and 8 with two leaders where you can choose the grade of walk you wish to participate in on a daily basis depending on the group ability and size. Please check individual holiday dates for more details.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
A combination of two mountain holidays - discover your Tirolean summer
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Hard mountain walking every day in the Alps, the Balkans and the Pyrenees, with long ascents, descents and scrambling.
Stamina and a good head for heights are essential.
Distances will probably not exceed 12 miles, but cumulative ascents and descents will normally be between 1000 and 1500m each day.
Departure dates
The perfect mountain holiday
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Hard mountain walking every day in the Alps, the Balkans and the Pyrenees, with long ascents, descents and scrambling.
Stamina and a good head for heights are essential.
Distances will probably not exceed 12 miles, but cumulative ascents and descents will normally be between 1000 and 1500m each day.
Departure dates
Why not extend your stay in Austria by combining our Maria Alm holiday with our Bad Hofgastein holiday?
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Departure dates
Why not extend your time in the Swiss Alps by combining Alpine Arosa with Klosters, with magnificent hiking opportunities
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Stamina is the key to these holidays, which will typically be in the Alps or the Dolomites.
There is plenty of ascent and descent over rough and steep ground, so a steady foot and a good head for heights is advisable.
Expect about 800 - 1000m of cumulative ascent and descent each day.
Departure dates
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Achenkirch is a pretty alpine village with beautiful scenery and access to miles upon miles of hiking routes, perfect for our holiday! Achenkirch is small in terms of facilities. There is a supermarket approximately 15-20 minutes walk away and a few small sport shops. Pertisau and Maurach are villages just a short 15-20 minute bus ride away. Pertisau is set on the lakeside and is extremely picturesque. Here you can find an information centre and various shops and cafes. Maurach is larger with many large supermarkets, sports shops, banks, ATMs and cafes.
We stay in the four star Hotel Achentalerhof in Achenkirch. The hotel is run by the Waldhart family and now being managed by their third generation. The Achentalerhof is a very welcoming and comfortable hotel. Its location is perfect as some of the walks start and/or end at the hotel. The bus stop for buses up and down the valley stops right outside the hotel.
The hotel has a 2000m2 garden park, a stylish vital area with an indoor pool and a south facing sun terrace with spectacular mountain views. Its Finnish sauna, steam bath, solarium, infrared cabin and spacious pine wood relaxation room are just another delightful option after a day’s exploration. The sauna and steam room need to be booked at least 30 minutes before you wish to use them. There is a games room with table tennis and table football. The hotel also has a large bar area for relaxation!
The hotel has a supply of walking gear such as poles, waterproofs and maps for the use of hotel guests. There is no guarantee, however, that they will have your size, so please make sure you take your own.
We stay in contemporary twin and single bedded rooms. Twin bedded rooms usually contain typical 'Austrian type beds' which consist of one bed frame fitted with two single mattresses and bed-packs with individual duvets. Facilities include:
Trip Information
This is a grade 6 and 8 holiday where you can choose the grade of walk you wish to participate in on a daily basis depending on the group ability and size.
Our grade 6 programme includes walking routes at the top of the grade with an element of exposure so you do need a head for heights and must be sure-footed. Typically such sections occur along a well-made path where for 10 to 20 metres there is a drop to one side. Expect full days of walking up to 6 hours in length and between 6-10 miles. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 6 itinerary is 2259m. We will be accompanied by a local flower and herb expert, Mischa for a part of one of our walks, where we will learn about the local flora and enjoy the beautiful views.
The walks in our grade 8 programme are relatively short in terms of distance, but there are some steep and rough ascents and descents and occasionally a good head for heights and sure-footedness are needed. There are also plenty of lower level walks for wet weather days. Ascents and descents vary between 900-1500m and walks can take up to 5.5 hours. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 8 itinerary is 2299m.
There is a wealth of harder walking around the Achensee. We use local buses and cable cars to access our walks, though some walks start and / or end at the hotel. It really is a walker’s paradise – from the top of the Rofan cable car lift alone there are 150km of marked paths. The Achensee is at a height of 900m; using the Rofan Lift which takes us to the Erfurter mountain hut at over 1800m, peaks well over 2000m become accessible.
The Achensee Card
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
The local Achensee Card is included in the cost of the holiday and provides free or discounted use of the local buses and cable cars in the area, which means you can travel at ease. It also provides discounted rates for local attractions such as museums and boat trips. This card will be used to travel on local transport when it is required to get to the gondolas for the start of the walks. You may also wish to make good use of this card on your free day.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in Austria
The currency in Austria is the euro. You may wish to take some euro cash with you until you reach an ATM. Credit cards may not be accepted in smaller towns and rural areas.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied in some centres by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
Return flights are between London and Munich. On dates where regional flights are offered please be aware that there may be a wait at the airport until all flights have arrived as the transfers may be combined.
Transfers between Munich and Achenkirch are by private coach and will take approximately 2 hours. During the week we'll travel by foot, bus, cable cars and chairlifts.
Please be aware that if you do arrange your own travel arrangements, other airports may more appropriate for you to fly in to. Innsbruck airport is a shorter transfer to the hotel. Although you will not be able to use our complimentary transfer, there are plenty of public buses, trains or taxis available for you to use instead, at your own cost.
If you intend joining and leaving the party in Austria, we assume, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at hotel. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Regional Transfers
Regional Flights (R2). We offer regional flight options on this holiday but due to the location and travelling time to our resort we operate just one transfer vehicle between the airport and hotel. This may mean that there is a wait at the overseas airport in one or both directions.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Brexit Passport Advice
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.
Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
The guidance for Schengen border guards may not be updated until the spring of 2022. Until then, for some Schengen countries your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday cost. Breakfast is taken in the hotel restaurant, serving a selection of hot and cold dishes such as farmers bread, regional sausages and cheeses, fruit, home-made jams and various hot drinks.
We enjoy a typical Austrian five course dinner in the hotel restaurant. Typical dinners will include an appetiser, soup, salad buffet, main course and dessert. We enjoy freshly grown vegetables and herbs from local organic farmers and from the hotel’s kitchen garden, where you can find various local herbs such as Oregano, Horse-radish and Melissa!
Lunches are not included but these can be taken as picnics or in local mountain restaurants. The hotel is happy for you to make up sandwiches and take fruit from the breakfast buffet to make up your lunch at no charge. They also provide hot water for you to fill up flasks if you want a hot drink to take on the walk.
Footwear
Good quality waterproof walking boots with a moulded sole with a deep tread and good ankle support are essential for holidays at grade 7 and above.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Austria
In Austria the electricity is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Many local libraries stock a selection of travel guides and books which may offer you more information. Apart from any books available in local libraries, the internet is now an excellent resource for information about holiday destinations. You may find the below websites, books and programmes useful.
Maps of the areas we visit (1:200 000 scale) are available locally and at specialist map shops in the UK.
Tyrol Hiking www.tyrol.com/regions/a-achensee/hiking.
Cicerone guide to Alpine Flowers. We like this pocket-sized book on the 230 Alpine flowers you are most likely to come across on a holiday in the Alps. There’s a really interesting introduction to the properties flowers need to survive life at altitude and good clear photos with short descriptions arranged according to the predominant colour of the flower. Order it from Cicerone directly and quote code RAMBWH for a 25% discount.
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Austria
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Austria. You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. You may wish to consider immunisations against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC & GHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Useful Information
Capital
Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 54mm
February
Avg. Rain: 48mm
March
Avg. Rain: 65mm
April
Avg. Rain: 70mm
May
Avg. Rain: 92mm
June
Avg. Rain: 122mm
July
Avg. Rain: 132mm
August
Avg. Rain: 114mm
September
Avg. Rain: 89mm
October
Avg. Rain: 72mm
November
Avg. Rain: 73mm
December
Avg. Rain: 64mm
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