Stubaital, the central valley of the Stubai Alps, branches off the Wipptal, which connects Austria’s North Tyrol with Italy’s South Tyrol. Located near Innsbruck, Stubaital is an excellent stop on a road trip across Austria or when traveling from Munich to the Dolomites, especially if you’re planning on driving the Brenner motorway.
Though Stubai attracts hut-to-hut hikers and mountaineers, it’s also an extremely family-friendly destination, with kid-themed walking paths (e.g. treehouse trail), playgrounds, and summer toboggan runs.
In mid-September, we spent 3 nights in Stubaital and were completely enchanted by its beauty and hospitality. Here’s exactly how we planned our short late summer Stubai getaway.
- Day 1: Arrive in Stubai, Watch the Sunset at Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof
- Day 2: Lunch at Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch and Sunnenseit`n Weg
- Day 3: Dresdner Hütte – Peiljoch – Lake Sulzenausee – Sulzenauhütte – Sulzenau Alm – WildeWasserWeg – Grawa Waterfall – Grawa Alm
- 3 Nights in Stubai Valley. Stay in Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Mieders, or Schönberg
Stubai Valley Map
DESTINATIONS
Where to Stay
Gleins
Kreuzjochbahn
Sunnenseit`n Weg
Peiljoch Hike
Fulpmes
Maria Waldrast
Around Stubai Valley
How to Book this Stubai Alps Summer Getaway
Book 3 Nights in Stubai Valley
There are 5 villages in Stubai Valley: Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Mieders, and Schönberg. Most accommodations are concentrated in Neustift, because it’s the largest village in the valley.
Many hotels in Stubai Valley offer half board (breakfast and dinner). We always opt for half board in the Austrian Alps, because it’s the most stress-free dining experience and it’s often more economical as well.
Between May and October, many accommodations include a complimentary Stubai Super Card, which provides guests with one free ascent and descent on each of the four cable cars in the valley, in addition to other perks.
3-star accommodations: Hotel Brunnenhof and Ausserwieserhof
4-star accommodations: Lärchenlodge Apartments and Spa, Biohotel Rastbichlhof, Activehotel Bergkönig, Alpenhotel Tirolerhof, and Alpeiner – Nature Resort Tirol
5-star accommodation: Relais & Châteaux Spa Hotel Jagdhof
Family-Friendly accommodation: Familotel Kindl
Car Rental
A rental car is optional. You will be able to complete this itinerary without one. The only place that will be difficult to reach without a car is the Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof, where we recommend watching the sunset on your arrival day.
Use the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Austria. This intuitive booking platform compares car rental deals from numerous trusted suppliers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip | Some car parks in Stubai are pay-and-display. Overnight guests usually don’t have to pay for these car parks provided that they display a guest card. Ask your hotel for a guest card.
What to Pack
I recommend packing hiking boots, hiking poles, sunglasses, a sun hat, reusable water bottles like SIGG – Reusable Water Bottles.
Also, bring cash. Many establishments like mountain huts, alpine pastures (Almen), and farms are cash only.
Day 1: Arrive in Stubai Valley
We drove from Vienna to Stubai Valley, arriving in the afternoon. Good to Know: If you drive to Stubai Valley via the Brenner motorway (A13) like we did, you will have to pay a toll. To avoid the toll, you can drive the longer toll-free Brenner route to Schönberg (B182 and B183)
After checking into Alpenhotel Tirolerhof in Fulpmes, we drove up to Gleins for sunset, a hamlet above Schönber made-up of alpine farms. The road is quite narrow, and Kati had to back up twice to let oncoming traffic pass. Just beyond Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof, there is a car park (Google Maps).
Just a few meters from the car park, you’ll find the Gleins Photopoint Stubai, which is a picnic table that affords a magical view of Stubai Valley, especially at golden hour. Alpengasthaus Gleinserhof also has a panoramic terrace, but their restaurant was unfortunately closed during our visit.
After sunset, we drove back to Alpenhotel Tirolerhof and ate a delicious dinner: salad and soup buffet, main course, and dessert. The pacing of dinner was absolutely perfect: no awkward or lengthy waiting times. The staff is also attentive and friendly.
Day 2: Almabtrieb and Sunnenseit`n Weg
Almabtrieb Fulpmes
Our visit to Stubai Valley coincided with the Almabtrieb in Fulpmes. The small event took place around noon. Clad in traditional Tracht, the farmers and herdsmen of the Fronebenalm and Galtalm mountain pastures guided their cows and sheep down the mountain through Fulpmes to their winter stables in the valley.
The event concluded with a lively gathering in the Musikpavillon, where all spectators were invited to celebrate with music, food, and drinks.
Though the event was authentic and charming, it was very small. Personally, I wouldn’t go out of my way to see the Fulpmes Almabtrieb. But, if you happen to be in Stubai Valley in mid-September, why not participate.
If you want to learn more about this alpine tradition, read my guide to the Almabtrieb Cattle Drive.
Lunch at Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch
After watching the Almabtrieb, we rode the Kreuzbahn cable car in the Schlick 2000 ski area all the way up to the mountain station to have lunch in the impressive Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch. This newly built restaurant boasts modern alpine interiors, with staggering views of the surrounding mountains. I’m happy to report that the food was also excellent.
From the cable car mountain station (2100 m), visitors are immediately treated to a sweeping view of the Kalkkögel Mountain Chain, a subgroup of the greater Stubai Alps. For a stellar view of the Stubai Valley, walk up to the Aussichtsplattform Stubaiblick lookout point.
Sunnenseit’n Weg Trail
My original plan was to hike from the Kreuzjoch mountain station all the way down to Neustift, following the Naturlehrweg and later the Sunnenseit’n Weg.
However, due to my late start, I ended up riding the Kreuzjoch cable car down to the middle station to commence the Sunnenseit`n Weg to Neustift.
I really enjoyed this easy, well-groomed path, because of the panoramic views of the valley, the steep meadow landscapes, and several points of interest along the way like the Naturschauplatz Gschmitz viewpoint and the suspension bridge.
The path initially traces the Baumhausweg (tree house trail), which links a series of treehouses, perfect outing for families with children. Trail navigation is easy. Just follow signs to the “Hängebrücke” and later “Neustift.”
Parking | Shlick 2000 ski area car park in Fulpmes: Google Maps
Starting Point | Kreuzjochbahn middle station
Ending Point | Neustift
Distance | 9 km point-to-point
Time Needed | 3:30 hours
Elevation Gain | 220 meters
Elevation Loss | 580 meters
Difficulty | Easy
Day 3: Peiljoch – WildeWasserWeg – Grawa Waterall Hike
During our second full day in Stubaital, I hiked from the Dresdner Hütte, accessible by cable car, to Grawa Waterfall, tracing a section of the celebrated Stubai High Trail.
For me, the highlights of this hike were descending to Lake Sulzenausee glacial lake from the Peiljoch saddle with views of the Sulzenauferner glacier, walking down the Upper Sulzenau Valley, and the Grawa waterfall viewpoints.
Starting Point | To start this hike, head to the Stubai Gletscher cable car valley station at the head of the valley. Here’s where we parked: Google Maps. There are actually two cable cars that connect the valley to the Fernau middle station (2300 m): Gamsgarten and 3S Eisgratbahn. We rode the Gamsgarten cable car.
Route | Fernau Middle Station – Dresdner Hütte – Peiljoch – Lake Sulzenausee – Sulzenauhütte – Sulzenau Alm – WildeWasserWeg – Grawa Waterfall – Grawa Alm
Difficulty | The initial ascent from Dresdner Hütte to Peiljoch is steep and rocky. Two short sections are secured with cables, the second of which requires some scrambling. Though short and well-secured, this will not be comfortable if you have any fear of heights. The final stretch to Peiljoch crosses a rock field, but slabs of flat-faced rock have been purposefully positioned to ease the crossing.
About 1.8 km after passing Sulzenau Alm, the trail divides. I continued on the right trail (WildeWasserWeg) to Grawa Waterfall. For me, this was the most difficult part of the hike, because the path was wet, slippery, and required extra care. Much of the path is bolstered with timber step boardwalks.
Navigation | The path is heavily waymarked. When you descend from the Peiljoch saddle, you’ll reach a junction. Continue over the small rise to Lake Sulzenausee, ignoring the direct trail to Sulzenau Hut.
Where to Eat along the Trail | Sulzenauhütte or Grawa Alm, at the very end of the hike.
Trail Variations | For those with sensitive knees, consider reversing the route, or hiking from Grawa Alm to Sulzenauhütte out-and-back.
Starting Point | Fernau middle station
Ending Point | Grawa Alm
Distance | 9.8 km point-to-point
Time Needed | 4 hours
Elevation Gain | 452 meters
Elevation Loss | 1222 meters
Day 4: Depart Stubai Valley
Before leaving Stubai Valley, Kati and I visited Maria Waldrast monastery and ate lunch at the Ochsenhütte. If you’d like to do the same, ride the Serles cable car from Mieders to Koppeneck and either walk to Maria Waldrast or take the slow train.
More Things to Do around Stubai Valley:
- Nockspitze-Saile Hike starting in Axamer Lizum
- Wolfsklamm Gorge Hike starting in Stans
- Hundskopf Peak via Felix Kuen Steig starting at Hinterhornalm
- Rotmoosalm – Wangalm – Wettersteinhütte Circuit Trail starting in Gaistal
- Lake Achensee
Tyrol & Innsbruck:
Austria Travel Itineraries:
- 2-Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Vienna
- 1-Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Salzburg or Munich
- 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip – starting in Munich
- Salzkammergut Itinerary – starting in Vienna or Salzburg
- Munich to Dolomites Road Trip Route Options – starting in Munich
Car-Free Travel:
Hiking:
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