The Eagle Way, or Adlerweg, is arguably the most beautiful mountain trail in Austria. Created only five years ago, the main route winds 280kms across the spine of the Austrian Alps in 23 sections from St Johann in the west to the famous ski resort of St Anton am Arlberg at the eastern end of the Tirol. Shaped like giant eagle wings, the route also has many side sections leading into adjoining valleys. In all there are 126 day hikes, all way-posted and graded for difficulty. The central sections around the regional capital of Innsbruck offer easy access using the local bus, tram and cable car network. www.eaglewalk.tyrol.com
ROUTE 11 - THE BIG ONE. 13KM
Often called the Eagle Way's hardest mile, this strenuous Karwendel Massif segment has a vertical rise and drop of 1,550m and takes up to nine hours to complete.Steep, rugged terrain in parts features permanently fixed via ferrata steel cables for safety and ideally requires mountaineering skills and experience. Not one for those lacking a head for heights. The reward is to take in the highest point of the whole trail on the Birkkarspitze Peak (2,479m) and one of Austria's finest views. On a clear day you can literally see for more than 100 miles.
ROUTE 1 - WATERFALL START.
9KM This is where it all begins, walking from the village of St Johann, and is rated as a good warm-up. The path west soon takes you within earshot of the mighty Schleierwasserfall, where climbers tackle the cliff face right behind the falls. The steep trail to the falls winds through a cavern and an easy climb reveals the full picture. The waterfall cascades over the rock face with a total drop of 60m. The climb then continues through mountain pastures to the trail's first lodge, the Gaudeamus Hut at 1,263m above sea level.
ROUTE 20 - RIVERSIDE HIKE. 20KM
Something for the less ambitious, this is a delightful low-elevation walk that winds from Haselgher to Steeg along the valley of the Lech river. As with all the walks, this can be done on its own, as part of a section of the main route or by those attempting the whole thing. If you get this far, you've almost reached the end. Along the way is the magnificent baroque church of St Nicolas in Elbigenalp. The Lechtal valley is also famous for its distinctive wall paintings that adorn many houses.
ROUTE 12 - BEST OF BOTH. 12KM
This is another stiff, black-rated route. But it is highly recommended for those wanting to get the best of both worlds in one go the historic city of Innsbruck and the remote mountain wilderness. The tricky part of the route is only possible by using fixed planks and ropes. The path then regularly meanders from the north to the south side of the Nordkette Range offering alternate panoramic views of Bavaria in Germany and of the main ridge of the Alps. Riding down on the cable car gives stunning views of Innsbruck and the Inntal valley.
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ROUTE O1 - SMALL EAGLE START. 17KM
This is the beginning of the Osttirol side section of the Alderweg, which forms its own smaller set of eagle wings stretching across the beautiful Hohe Tauern national park. Generally of a more leisurely nature, this collection of hiking routes take in strolls down valley floors and rambles to lovely mountain huts, where hearty food and drinks are available. There are also a number of noteable churches and other cultural attractions - and, of course, edelweiss. But for the more adventurous, there is also scree scrambling to be had across the Pfortscharte Notch.
