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Tyrol, Dolomites and Lake Garda loop from Munich

A summer loop from Munich through the Zillertal and Innsbruck, over the Brenner to the Dolomites and down to Arco on Lake Garda. For climbers, hikers and mountain bikers who want high Alps and lake-level rock in one trip.

Fly into Munich (MUC)Best Jun-Sep4 stops601 mi / 967 km13.3 h driving12 days suggestedLoop, back to the startAustria, Italy
ClimbingHikingMountain BikingRunningSkiingKiteboarding

When: Summer route: Zillertal peaks Jun-Aug and the Dolomites Jul-Aug with Jun/Sep as shoulder; Arco climbing is best in spring and autumn, so June and September suit the whole loop best. [1]

Getting there: Fly into MUC; major rental companies at the airport. Plan to return the car to Munich: one-way drops in another country cost extra, so check at booking.

Customize this trip

Route: OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Spots: OpenBeta and our guides.

Day by day · 11 nights, 12 days

  1. Start in Munich (MUC): pick up the carDrive to Zillertal: 123 mi / 198 km · 2 h 18 min
  2. 1

    Zillertal

    Tyrol, Austria

    2 nights

    Alpine gneiss bouldering and turquoise reservoir huts in the Austrian Tyrol

    Biggest draw
    • Olperer Hütte via Berliner Höhenweg · HikingFamous Instagram bridge hike to a Zillertal Alps hut with turquoise Schlegeis reservoir views.
    Also here
    • Zillertal Bouldering · Climbing
    • Zillertal - Ewige Jagdgründe · Climbing
    Full Zillertal guide →
    Drive to Innsbruck: 42 mi / 68 km · 1 h
  3. 2

    Innsbruck

    Tyrol, Austria

    2 nights

    Innsbruck is a rare gem: a proper city (130,000 people) with world-class alpine terrain literally on its doorstep.

    Biggest draw
    • Stubai Glacier Skiing · 4.8/5 · SkiingYear-round skiing with reliable snow at high elevation. Modern lift infrastructure and all-level terrain.
    Also here
    • Hafelekar Cable Car Hike · 4.6/5 · Hiking
    • Ötztal Valley Cycling · 4.6/5 · Mountain Biking
    • Zillertal Climbing · 4.6/5 · Climbing
    Full Innsbruck guide →
    Drive to Dolomites: 106 mi / 171 km · 2 h 48 min
  4. 3

    Dolomites

    South Tyrol, Italy

    4 nights

    The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site of pale limestone towers, spires, and walls in northeastern Italy — arguably the most beautiful mountain range in the world.

    Biggest draw
    • Tre Cime di Lavaredo · 4.8/5 · HikingUNESCO heritage site with iconic jagged peaks. 10km loop with exposed ridges and stunning photography opportunities.
    Also here
    • Sorapis Hike · 4.7/5 · Hiking
    • Via Ferrata · 4.7/5 · Climbing
    • Seceda Ridge Trail · 4.6/5 · Hiking
    Full Dolomites guide →
    Drive to Arco: 77 mi / 124 km · 2 h 18 min
  5. 4

    Arco

    Trentino, Italy

    3 nights

    Europe's sport climbing capital, kiteboarding on Lake Garda, and cliffside trails

    Biggest draw
    • Arco Sport Climbing · ClimbingThe undisputed sport climbing capital of Europe. Thousands of routes across dozens of crags on perfect limestone, from s
    Also here
    • Via Ferrata delle Bocchette · Adventure
    • Lake Garda Torbole · Kiteboarding
    • Arco · Climbing
    Full Arco guide →
    Drive back to Munich: 253 mi / 407 km · 4 h 48 min
  6. Back in Munich: drop the car and fly home.
Plan it

WHEN, HOW FAR, WHAT TO BRING

When to go

Best: Jun-Sep. Summer route: Zillertal peaks Jun-Aug and the Dolomites Jul-Aug with Jun/Sep as shoulder; Arco climbing is best in spring and autumn, so June and September suit the whole loop best.

All 4 stops are in peak or shoulder season in May.

Number = stops in peak or shoulder season that month. Darker = more stops at peak.

  • Zillertal: peak Jun-Aug, avoid Apr, Nov
  • Innsbruck: peak Feb, Jul-Aug, Dec, avoid Jan, Mar-Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov
  • Dolomites: peak Feb, Jul-Aug, avoid Jan, Mar-Apr, Nov-Dec
  • Arco: peak Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct

Driving split

13.3 h on the road over 5 drives: about 2.6 h per drive on average, 601 mi (967 km) in total.

Longest day: Arco to Munich, 4 h 48 min.

No single drive is over 6 hours.

Drive times are free-flow estimates from OpenStreetMap roads, without stops, traffic or border queues.

Sports and gear

  • Climbing · every stopBring: harness, shoes, helmet, rope and quickdraws (or rent locally).
  • Hiking · every stopBring: boots, layers, map or offline maps, water.
  • Mountain Biking · every stopBring: helmet, gloves, pads; check the bike-park pass and bike rental.
  • Running · Innsbruck, DolomitesBring: trail shoes, hydration vest, headlamp for long days.
  • Skiing · InnsbruckBring: skis or rental, avalanche kit for backcountry, goggles, layers.
  • Kiteboarding · ArcoBring: kite gear or lessons, harness, wetsuit, impact vest.
More routes

OTHER ROAD TRIPS

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MAKE IT YOURS.

Change the stops and nights in the builder, or start from your own front door.

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