SEPTEMBER 4 - 8 - THE WATZMANNTOUR, HUT-TO-HUT IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS

Join Backabush in the Bavarian Alps for a panoramic 4 day hut-to-hut traverse of the Berchtesgaden National Park above the pristine alpine lake of Königsee.

Cost - £389. Group Size - 16. Accommodation - Mountain huts.

The Watzmann is possibly the most imposing formation in the Bavarian Alps, towering above the glacial blue lake of Königsee. Our plan is to complete the famous and challenging ‘Watzmanntour’ circuit, starting on the shore of the lake and crossing the Berchtesgaden National Park via the hikers' summit of Hochek on top of the Watzmann Massif at 2651m. We will finish our hike at the opposite end of the lake and can enjoy a ferry ride back to the start. This a trek with a real alpine character, starting on forested slopes it climbs to rough and rocky mountain trails with expansive views.

We will be starting the adventure one hour away and across the Austrian border in Salzburg where there are daily flights from London. We will meet in Salzburg on Thursday 4th where we have reserved accommodation in The Keep Eco Rooms Hostel. We can enjoy an evening in the beautiful city centre and perhaps visit the traditional Austrian beer halls.

ITINERARY

• Thur - Arrive in Salzburg anytime and catch the bus to the city centre to meet at our hostel.
• Fri - 10.5km, 1350m ascent. Transfer from Salzburg to Königsee (1hr) and hike to Watzmannhaus via the panoramic view point above the lake.
• Sat - 18.2km, 1300m ascent, 1900m descent. From the Watzmannhaus hut it's a ‘there and back’ trail to the panoramic Hocheck summit in the morning - one of the three Watzmann peaks - so we can stop into the hut again afterwards for a cake before continuing down into the valley to the Wimbachgrieshütte.
• Sun - 10km, 1000m ascent, 700m descent. A day hike couldn't be more varied. From the Wimbachgrieshütte and across the limestone karst ‘sea’ of the Steinere Meer down to our hut, the Kärlingerhaus
• Mon - 10km, 1300m descent. From the Kärlingerhaus our tour comes to a leisurely end. It’s downhill to the iconic pilgrimage church of Bartholomä and then we return by boat to Königsee.

From there we will catch the bus back to Salzburg and you will need to organize your own onward travel or accommodation. As our final hike will only take around 3 hours it will be possible to reach Salzburg airport at around 15.00 and catch the Wizz Air flight to Luton at 17.05

Or if you’d rather not rush home we recommend booking an extra night in Salzburg at The Keep Eco Rooms Hostel which we are also booked into on the first night. If people would like to share rooms again then I am happy to help organise this. Staying at the same place again means it is possible to leave some luggage there whilst we are hiking.

There is lots to do around Salzburg for those staying on, including a Via Ferrata in the town centre with a mixture of routes for those with some climbing experience https://www.salzburg.info/en/travel-info/infos/city-wall-via-ferrata_az_9995.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• An itinerary of guided hikes and 2 Backabush hike leaders
• Accommodation - 4 nights in shared accommodation. 3 mountain refuges, 1 hostel
• 4 Breakfasts
• Logistical support and planning.
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Local busses and ferry journey
• Packed lunches
• Evening Meals - The mountain huts serve dinner ‘a la carte’
• Accommodation in Salzburg on Monday 8th

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS

OUTBOUND - Thursday 4th September
Ryanair FR304
Departs STN London Stansted 12.05
Arrives SZG Salzburg 15.00

RETURN - Tuesday 9th September
Ryanair FR305
Departs SZG Salzburg 15.05
Arrives STN London Stansted 16.00

ALTERNATIVE - It is possible to reach Salzburg Airport at around 15.00pm on Monday 8th and fly home the same day that our hike finishes if you catch the bus from our hike finish point directly to the airport.

RETURN - Monday 8th September
WizzAir W95462
Departs SZG Salzburg 17.05
Arrives LTN London Luton 18.00

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP

The following "terms and conditions" apply to all trip reservations:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/