The Berlin High Trail: 19th century glitz and glamour.
This trail is a challenging tour for experienced mountain hikers: the entire route is 85 kilometers long, covers about 6,600 meters in altitude and can be completed in eight days. The trail leads from Finkenberg and the Gamshütte through the high mountain nature park Zillertal Alps. Here, magnificent views of the glaciated high mountain world await. The highlight for most, however, is the Berliner Hütte. It is the largest alpine club hut in the Zillertal Alps and is a listed building. If it was only a modest refuge in the beginning, it was extensively rebuilt in 1912. The heart of the hut is the magnificent dining room with five-meter-high wood-paneled walls, detailed carpentry and chandeliers.

The Carnic High Trail: Ridge Hiking with a View
If you are on the Carnic High Trail, you are hiking on history: the trail was laid out along the Austrian-Italian front line from World War I and leads along military climbs, especially in the first third of the route. Old positions and trenches can be seen again and again. The demanding route begins in Sillian in Alta Pusteria and ends in Unterthörl in Carinthia after eleven, sometimes very long, daily stages. Alpinists also appreciate the ridge walk with a total length of 168 kilometers because of the fantastic panorama: the view reaches as far as the Dolomites. On each stage, mountain hikers will find alpine pastures, huts and inns, and more than 30 remarkable hiking peaks also beckon...and around every bend you'll find different flowers or the next lake.

The Inntal High Trail: Through the Swiss Pine Forest
Between Innsbruck- Igls and Schwaz, this trail winds its way through the Tux Alps at an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level, with great views over the Inn Valley. It is especially popular among gourmets, as all the huts along the tour offer excellent food. The tour can be completed in six moderately difficult - difficult daily stages. The scenic highlight of this tour is the Zirbenweg on the first stage, which leads through the protected landscape area between Patscherkofel, Zirmberg, Viggartal and Glungezer above the Blue Lakes. The Zirbenweg is unique and impressively beautiful. The Swiss stone pine stand is one of the oldest in Europe.

The Stubai High Trail: Very close to the glacier
On seven stages and almost 80 kilometers, you can experience the natural wonder of the glacier particularly intensively on the Stubai High Trail. Especially on the stage between Dresdner and Bremer Hütte you get very close to the eternal ice. A total of 5,000 meters in altitude must be mastered on this demanding mountain trail. Eight huts along the route invite you to rest or spend the night. In addition to the glacier views, the solitude on the Stubai High Trail is inspiring. Although the region is one of the most tourist-intensive, you are almost always undisturbed and alone in this area.

The Lechtaler Höhenweg: The untamed one
The mountain trail inspires with natural beauty, but it demands mountaineering skills: On this high-alpine trail, you are constantly at 2,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level. Including all variants, this trail is divided into 18 stages that can be done in 10 to 19 days. Those who choose the shortest route must overcome almost 7,000 meters of altitude and 85 kilometers on mostly difficult climbs. Alpinists can recover from the challenge at 13 Alpine Club huts along the route. The Lechtaler Höhenweg is one of the more solitary tours, and the huts here are often small and contemplative. The scenic highlight is the Steinsee lake: like a green-blue pearl, it shines amidst the majestic mountain scenery in front of the striking Dremlscharte.

Great Walks: The Experts
The "elite" among the long-distance walks was awarded by a jury of experts: four professionals who have been dedicated to the subject of mountain tours and mountain sports for years. In addition to Irene Rapp, a Tyrolean journalist and specialist editor for alpine topics in the largest regional daily newspaper, Mike Rutter is also a member of the jury. He is a certified mountain guide and has, among other things, co-conceived the most famous long-distance hiking trail in the Alps, the Adlerweg. The third in the group is Ambros Gasser: He is also a certified mountain hiking guide and managing director of ASI Reisen, one of the leading providers of worldwide active travel. Peter Kapelari, expert for infrastructure, cartography and trails from the Austrian Alpine Association completes the jury quartet.