This trip was selected by Ian - Austria he said. Right I have a Cicerone book called the Alderweg by Mike Wells so that’s where we’re going. In fact, I have hundreds of Cicerone hiking/cycling books, all bought years ago in anticipation of another trip. So it was highly likely I’d have something on any hiking trip any where in Europe.
This trip is a 350k walk in the Tyrols, a section of Austria jutting out like a tongue between Germany and Italy. The hike is centred around Innsbruck, host to two Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976. The name Alderweg translates to Eagle’s way, and is so named because the track on a map looks like an eagle with wings spread. Simple.
But and there’s a BUT. Ian also scored some French Open tickets in the Ballot - which means you get seats but you still have to pay for them.