Forum menu
Might not exist, but thinking about a posh hotel in an alpine resort where we can do some lift assisted walking - end of June.
I'm not talking Tour de Mont Blanc, but maybe 3-4 hour walks in the alps where most of the elevation gain/drop is handled by the lift.
I'm thinking an Austrian resort near a lake, but open to other options. What you got?
Obergurgl has lifts open in the summer and there seems to be lots at the top of them. Stay at Hotel Muehle for a bit of luxury.
Years ago I went on a walking holiday to Murren in Switzerland. The other people were all hardened ramblers and we were not compatible for walking.
I bought a map and we spent the rest of the holiday without the guide doing exactly what you describe.
Quite a few of the rest of the group joined in as the week went on.
We had a great time and went up the inside of the Eiger on the train and skied on the glacier.
We’ve been going here for years. Great accommodation, excellent food, service and hospitality. Zillertal aktiv card gives you one up and down on all the major lifts in the whole valley per day and access to the pools. 2 weeks cost us the same as 4 days in Switzerland.
Suspect the walks from the top of the Penken (Mayrhofen) and Rosenalmbahn (Zell am Ziller) are exactly what you’re looking for. There’s lots more in the valley (stilluptal is spectacularly beautiful). DM me if you want more info / photos / recommendations.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland as many options.
A few years ago we went with Tui and stayed at the Hotel Saalbacher Hof, Saalbach. Great place with lifts operating around Saalbach, Hinterglem and Leogang. Beautiful walking area with lift assists. A bus ride down the main road is Zell am Zee with its lake.
Lots to do in that area.
Of course it would be rude not to hire a bike and do the 'Big 5', the lifts take bikes in the summer. Though I did get in to a bit of trouble for a late return after sessioning a couple of the Leogand descents, Be Rude Not To 😊
Recommended
I go out to Verbier each summer, and spend a lot of time just walking and using the lifts across the 4 valleys to get around. I suspect most resorts now work this way.
Only thing to watch is how open the lift networks are. ie weekends only, or closed for maintenance, etc.
^ Good point and not all lifts are open.
Pretty sure the lifts at Zell am See, Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn are open during the summer months.
We visited the the spa at the Tauren Hotel in Kaprun when we were skiing in the area, would love to stay there for a holiday!
Pretty sure the lifts at Zell am See, Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn are open during the summer months.
We visited the the spa at the Tauren Hotel in Kaprun when we were skiing in the area, would love to stay there for a holiday!
They almost certainly will be, just need to check when they open, it appears a lot of places shut some of April and May then reopen June/July, dates vary on how high, how busy.
Expect early Summer Alpine weather so have alternative activities lined up. Of the places I've been Chamonix and Lauterbrunen stand out.
Thanks all. Some options to look at.
We loved the Tirol in the summer. Lovely vibe, lots of great walks, 1/3 the price of CH. St Anton was a great base, although the thunderstorms were... wow!
We usually do a few days in St Anton in the summer, and the lift assisted walking is fantastic. Gampen, Galzig and Rendl (depending on day of the week) are all accessible. We also take Ebikes out and disappear up the valley.
in terms of Lakes - Verwallsee is a mile up the road, and is truly stunning. They get going again towards end of June, start of July... so be sure you don't arrive too early for the lifts. There's also plenty to keep you busy once the thunderstorms arrive late pm!
Why Austria?
Go south into Italy.
Better coffee. Better food. Less chance of surly service.
If in Italy then Lake Garda would be good to go to. As said above, great food served by enthusiastic people. There are several lift systems around the lake.