Walking Austria's Alps: Hut to Hut 2nd Edition Paperback – April 30, 1999

I purchased this book for planning a hut-to-hut hiking trip in Austria. I have several of the Cicerone guides, which are good, but somehow still lacking. (The authors are British and probably written in a manner that the Brits are accustomed to.)I was a member of the Seattle Mountaineers for 30 years and very frequently (like, on a weekly basis) used their guide books for Washington State hikes and climbs.This particular book is published by the Mountaineers and is written in the same style of my Washington State books, just a bit easier for me to understand and digest.There are a number of various hut-to-hut hikes described in this book in enough detail that I could choose trips suitable to my skill level and discard others that were probably too difficult for me.This book is more of a sampler than a comprehensive guide to Austrian 'hutten leben', but should be considered when planning a trip.

Excellent book especially for beginners. Gives you all the information you need. Very detailed in all of its 11 walks described. Could start the walks immediately with the information provided. Tells you all about equipment required, the huts to stay in, maps required degree of difficulty. Each walk is detailed on a day-to-day basis. Fantastic.

If you are planning a trip to Austria and plan on using this book as a guide be warned!!! I am planning a 7 day hut to hut and upon reading the section of the book that covers the route I am taking and comparing it to up to date websites I found the the book is far too outdated. This is a major concern as it does not have accurate details on how to book or even the correct operational huts. Be warned!!! Use the internet to your advantage and don't waste your money on this publication

Details of eleven multi-day hut to hut treks in Austria, covering all the best areas.

Very inspiring. If you have any interest in hut walking in the Alps this is a good place to start.

Needs an update. The maps are not very useful.

I bought a couple Alpine hiking guides, but this was the best one and the one I take with me when I go out. Definitely by this guide if you are planning a hut hike in Austria.

Amazon should not sell this book. I strongly recommend that readers should not use this book as a guide, for the reasons described below.I purchased this book several years ago and since have been planning a trip to Austria to do several of the hikes. I just returned from said trip.I completed the Karwendal tour this past week. This tour is described as a beginner hike, for those with only a modest bit of hiking or walking experience. I had this hike planned as a warm up. After which I intended to do another of the hikes, in the Zillertal region.I found the trail descriptions in the book to be grossly inaccurate, and to highly understate the actual conditions I found underfoot. There were numerous sections of steep scree fields, exposed cliff and ridge walks, and precipitous cabled ascents and descents, some sections of scrambling, and steep slopes covered in loose gravel. Needless to say, these conditions were certainly not for beginners. Throughout the book, the author makes reference to "nur fur die Gestube" signage to be found on the trail. This term means "only for the experienced". Sections of trail will be signed "nur fur die gestube", when the DAV or OEAV intended it to be attempted only by experienced "climbers", not walkers. These sections of trail will be marked as "steig" (climb) as indicated by black dotted lines on a AV map, or "klettersteig" (ladder climb) as marked by red dotted lines on an Alpenverin (AV) map. These sections are not hiking trails in any but the most extreme sense. In particular, steig or certainly Klettersteig should only be attempted by fit individuals with some climbing training, a harness and a helmet. An ice ax to arrest a slide could also be usefull if there is any ice, or the potential for ice. The author downplays the danger and exposure associated with these sections of trail, which is, in my opinion, reckless and cavalier.The descriptions to be found in the book do not describe the conditions to be found, either for the "nur fur die gestube" sections or the sections without such signage. In addition, many sections or trail with significant exposure are unmarked, and are not described as containing cables, steep slopes or risk of injury in the text of the guide. These sections will come as a nasty surprise to those expecting the conditions described in the text and pictures. In one case I found myself literally climbing up a 75-80% incline, hand over foot, to the top of what turned out to be a knife edge ridge, with a sheer drop on the other side. In another situation, the trail called for descending down a 75-80% incline of solid rock, backwards, relying on a steel cable. In several cases, I followed a narrow trail along high, steep cliff sides, aided by steel cables laid into the rock. In the latter case, I was lucky to cross these exposed sections before a electrical storm came up.In addition, the hiking times stated in the text are often not realistic, particularly the descent times.I purchased the exact Alpenvereinkarte and have a good deal of hiking nad some climbing/scrambling experience in the states, having completed the Mount Whitney day hike and several other long distance back country hikes.This fact should sum up my experience. I encountered four other hikers on the trail, all of which came to the Karwendal based on this guidebook, and its promise of beginner conditions. I was the only one to finish the tour, the other four turned back early due to the hazardous conditions. All of us were highly dissappointed with this guide. In fact, the locals who were amongst us on this trek got a good laugh out of the description of this hike as a beginner's hike. It certainly should not be attempted by anyone who is not fit, or without significant experience high in the mountains, or with any fear of heights.

This is a very useful guide for those wanting to trek from hut to hut in Austria. The descriptions are concise and complete. The book is not too heavy to carry in your rucksack. I am not giving 5 stars because in my view a book like this should offer more options, giving at least a couple of possible interesting climbs from each hut, to nearby peaks. In most cases, huts in the Alps are indeed positioned to allow the climb of some peak in the area. Information on this in the book would make it more useful and more interesting. For those just interested in walking from hut to hut, I think is perfect.

Well laid out and clear. Basically gives straight holiday plan for multi day hikes in austria. Saves me ages af headscratching with maps. Combine this with some scrambles for an excellent week away.

Brilliant - informative and very useful. A must for planning (and dreaming) about holidays in the alps!!!

An excellent read.

The product arrived on time.The book is very valuable in trying to figure out where to go.Good pictures.