Reutte, Austria: Your Gateway to Tirolean Adventures
Ever feel like you’re constantly swiping left on Alpine towns? Too big, too small, too… well, meh? Finding that ‘just right’ spot can feel like a quest. But lean in close, because we here at The Travel Tinker think we’ve found the jackpot: Reutte, Austria. Honestly, it’s like the cool, understated friend you discover is secretly amazing. Nestled snugly in Tirol near the German border, Reutte skips the blinding bling and goes straight for the heart – think epic outdoors, grub that’ll make you weep tears of joy, and that fuzzy feeling of finding somewhere properly special. Consider this guide your slightly cheeky, definitely knowledgeable mate showing you the ropes. Ready to explore? Let’s get cracking! 🇦🇹
Reutte, Austria: A Simple Travel Guide to Your Alpine Basecamp
So, what’s the big deal with Reutte? Picture this: all the jaw-dropping Tirolean scenery and easy access to those bonkers Bavarian castles, but without feeling like you’re navigating rush hour on the London Underground. It’s real, it’s friendly, and it’s the absolute perfect launchpad if your holiday goals involve mountains, history, and maybe, just maybe, conquering a certain wobbly bridge (we’ll get to that!). It’s less flashy resort, more comfortable favourite jumper – reliable, cosy, and ready for anything.
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Getting Your Boots on the Ground: How to Reach Reutte
Right then, how do you actually get to this slice of Tirolean heaven? Easier than wrestling a bear, thankfully! 🐻
Fly In: Aim for Innsbruck (INN) in Austria – it’s about a 90-minute scenic drive away. Munich (MUC) in Germany is another solid choice, roughly a 2-hour journey. Budget flyers might find deals into Memmingen (FMM), also known as ‘Munich West’ by airlines stretching the truth slightly! I recommend using Trip.com for flights!
All Aboard the Train: Toot toot! Reutte has its very own station. You can wind your way through stunning landscapes from Innsbruck or Munich. It often involves a change (Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a common swap), so it’s not exactly a bullet train experience, but who’s counting minutes when the views are that good? Nab a window seat! Rail Europe has great offers on train journeys!
Hit the Road, Jack: Driving offers ultimate freedom to explore those hidden valleys. The main artery from Germany is the Fern Pass (B179) – gorgeous, yes, but can get clogged like arteries after too much Christmas pudding during peak times. Don’t forget you’ll need a vignette (toll sticker) for Austrian motorways (‘Autobahn’).
Need to rent a car? Use Discover Cars Austria!
💡 Fun Fact: The Fern Pass route has been a major trading and travel path since Roman times! You’re literally driving through history.
Navigating Reutte: Getting Around Town and Beyond
Landed in Reutte? Smashing! The town centre itself is small enough to explore on foot, which is what I did! Potter between your hotel, that tempting bakery, and the local pub without breaking a sweat.
But to tackle the surrounding goodies – lakes, mountains, that bridge! – you’ll need a bit more oomph:
Your Trusty Steed (Car): Offers maximum ‘go where you want, when you want’ power. Parking is usually findable, though sometimes you’ll need to feed a meter in popular spots.
The Magic Bus: A pretty decent local bus network links Reutte with nearby villages and key attractions. The absolute ace up your sleeve? The Tirol Aktiv Card (often free from your accommodation) usually means free bus rides! More on this golden ticket later…
Good Old Leg Power: For hikes starting right on your doorstep, just lace up those boots. Simples!
🔹 Pro Tip: Check the local bus timetables online (VVT is the regional network) before you head out, especially outside peak season, as schedules can be less frequent.
More Guides To Austria, sure!
Where to Lay Your Head: Accommodation in Reutte
Finding a place to crash in Reutte is generally a doddle. You’ve got the whole gamut, from charmingly traditional Gasthöfe (guesthouses, often with hearty restaurants attached, think Austrian Nan’s house, but you pay) to slicker hotels, handy self-catering flats (Ferienwohnungen – great for families or longer stays), and even spots to pitch a tent.
In the Thick of It: Staying central means shops and eats are just a stumble away.
Village Vibes: Nearby spots like Lechaschau, Wängle, or Höfen offer peace, quiet, and often killer views, just a hop, skip, and a jump from town.
What’s your priority? Convenience? Budget? Waking up to the gentle clonk of cowbells? Have a think! Booking ahead is always a smart move, especially for July/August or ski season. Use Agoda below or Booking.com to the right!
Find Your Austrian Adventure...
The Main Event: Highline179 – Walking on Air (Almost!) 😲
Okay, deep breaths everyone. Let’s talk about Highline179. This isn’t your average footbridge over a stream. Oh no. This is one of the longest Tibet-style pedestrian suspension bridges on the planet. It dangles, rather spectacularly, 114 metres (that’s 374 feet!) above the road, linking the Ehrenberg Castle ruins with Fort Claudia.
The walk across? It’s… something else. It sways (gently, promise!), the metal grid floor lets you see right down (don’t drop your phone!), and the panoramic views? Absolutely knock-your-socks-off stunning. It’s pure adrenaline for some, sheer terror for others (Me)! My advice? Go early morning or late afternoon to dodge the main throng and catch that golden hour light. Your Instagram will thank you. It’s simply unmissable.
ℹ️ Official Website for more information and tickets: Highline 179
🔹 Pro Tip: It should go without saying, but wear sensible shoes! It’s not the place for stilettos. Also, check the weather, it can close in high winds or thunderstorms. Safety first, folks!
Step Back in Time: The Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble
Highline179 isn’t just hanging out by itself; it’s part of the bigger Burgenwelt Ehrenberg (Ehrenberg Castle World), a whole historical playground waiting to be explored:
- Ehrenberg Castle Ruins: The main attraction. Scramble around the old walls and let your imagination run wild. Knights! Sieges! Probably questionable plumbing!
- Schlosskopf Fortress: Fancy a bit more of a climb? The views from up here are even more epic.
- Fort Claudia: On the other side of the valley, reached via that bridge. Gives you a different perspective.
- Ehrenberg Klause: Down at the bottom, this fortified gatehouse now holds a rather nifty museum (“Dem Ritter auf der Spur” – On the Knight’s Trail). It’s interactive and surprisingly fun, especially if you’ve got kids in tow.
You could easily lose half a day wandering around here. Comfy footwear is non-negotiable – there’s definitely some uphill involved!
💡 Fun Fact: Ehrenberg was a strategically vital customs station and fortress controlling the trade route between Southern Germany and Italy for centuries. Big money passed through here!
Alpine Jewels: Plansee and Heiterwanger See 💎
Feeling a bit hot and bothered after all that history and high-wire excitement? Make a beeline for the dynamic duo of lakes: Plansee and Heiterwanger See. Imagine Norwegian fjords, but plonked in the middle of Austria. These interconnected beauties boast water so clear and turquoise, you’ll think someone’s messed with the saturation filter.
In summer, they’re pure bliss for:
- Taking a dip: Brace yourself, Alpine water is… invigorating! 🥶
- Boat Trips: Scheduled ferries chug between different points – a lazy way to soak up the views.
- Paddling About: Hire kayaks, SUPs, or little electric boats for some independent exploration.
- Lakeside Lounging: Pack a picnic, find a spot, and just be.
Even if it’s too chilly for a swim, the sheer beauty is worth the trip. Driving or cycling the road around Plansee? Chef’s kiss! 🤌
🔹 Pro Tip: There are designated swimming areas (Badestrand) which often have better facilities (like loos or a kiosk) than just pulling over anywhere.
Stretch Your Legs: Hiking and the Lechweg Trail
Right, let’s be honest, you don’t come to Tirol without packing your hiking boots. Reutte is smack-dab in the middle of a walker’s paradise. Trails spiderweb out in every direction, from gentle riverside ambles perfect for digesting that enormous lunch, to proper thigh-burning slogs up pointy peaks with views that make it all worthwhile.
Reutte is also a proud host to stages of the legendary Lechweg Trail. This long-distance path shadows one of Europe’s last wild rivers, the Lech, from its source near the posh resort of Lech am Arlberg all the way towards Füssen in Germany. You don’t need to commit to the whole multi-day trek; simply hiking a section near Reutte gives you an incredible taste of its untamed beauty.
💡 Fun Fact: The River Lech gets its distinctive milky-turquoise colour from fine mineral particles suspended in the glacial meltwater. Science, but pretty!
Recommended Tours & Tickets in Austria
Nature's Power Shower: The Stuiben Falls
Fancy a shorter walk with a guaranteed watery reward? Head for the Stuiben Falls (Stuibenfälle), usually accessed from the village of Pflach or across the river Lech. A well-made path zigzags up beside the tumbling cascade, with viewing platforms strategically placed for maximum gawping (and a light, refreshing misting!). It’s a cracking little outing, especially when the sun’s out.
A Peek Behind the Curtain: Museum im Grünen Haus
Bit grey outside? Or just fancy a culture fix? The Museum im Grünen Haus (Museum in the Green House) right in Reutte’s town centre is your answer. Tucked inside a gorgeous building covered in frescoes (seriously, it’s pretty), it tells the story of the region’s history, art, and everyday life back in the day. It’s not huge, but it’s packed with charm and a great way to dodge a rain shower.
Winter Wonderland: Skiing and Snowshoeing ❄️
When the snowflakes start falling, Reutte dusts off its winter coat. While it’s not a sprawling ski metropolis itself, it offers easy access to the Hahnenkamm ski area in nearby Höfen – perfect for families or those finding their ski legs. Plus, bigger hitters like the Zugspitz Arena or Germany’s Garmisch-Partenkirchen are just a drive away. Prefer things a bit quieter? Miles of cross-country ski trails snake through the valleys, and snowshoeing is a magical, almost silent way to explore the frosted forests. Think cosy evenings after crisp, cold days.
🔹 Top Tip: Check out combined ski pass deals if you plan to ski in multiple areas within the wider Tirol Snow Card region – it can sometimes save you a bob or two.
Fuel Your Adventures: Tirolean Food and Drink 😋
Let’s face it, gallivanting around mountains works up an appetite. Thankfully, Tirolean food isn’t messing about. It’s hearty, it’s tasty, and it’s basically designed to hug you from the inside out. You simply must try:
- Käsespätzle: Austria’s glorious answer to mac ‘n’ cheese, but way better. Eggy dumplings smothered in cheese and crispy onions. Resistance is futile.
- Tiroler Gröstl: Leftover roast potatoes, bacon, onions, maybe some beef, all fried up in a pan and crowned with a wobbly fried egg. Pure comfort.
- Knödel (Dumplings): Come savoury (like Speckknödel – bacon dumplings – bobbing in broth) or sweet (Marillenknödel – apricot dumplings – dusted in sugary breadcrumbs). Try both!
- Kaiserschmarrn: A fluffy, shredded pancake, usually studded with raisins and served with a dollop of plum or apple sauce. Apparently, the Emperor’s favourite – and ours too!
- Apfelstrudel: Needs no introduction. Thin pastry, warm apples, cinnamon… yes please.
Wash it down with a local beer, a cheeky schnapps to aid digestion (ahem!), or the uniquely Austrian herbal lemonade, Almdudler.
Where to Fill Your Boots: Eating Out in Reutte
Starving? You won’t be for long in Reutte. Keep an eye out for:
- Gasthöfe/Gasthäuser: The backbone of Austrian dining. Traditional inns, often family-run, dishing up the classics. Expect wood panelling and a warm welcome.
- Restaurants: A mix of Austrian staples and perhaps some pizza or international bits.
- Cafés/Konditoreien: Essential pitstops for Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake – practically a national sport) and lighter bites.
- Pizzerias: Because sometimes, only pizza will do.
In summer, grabbing a table on an outdoor terrace (Gastgarten) is the way to go. And don’t underestimate the local bakeries (Bäckerei) for grabbing breakfast pastries or a filled roll for lunch on the go.
Your Secret Weapon: The Tirol Aktiv Card
Listen up, this is important! If you’re staying overnight anywhere in the Naturparkregion Reutte (which includes Reutte and surrounding villages), your hotel or guesthouse should give you the Tirol Aktiv Card (or Guest Card). This little piece of plastic is pure gold! It usually gets you:
- FREE rides on local buses – amazing for getting around without the car.
- Discounts on things like cable cars (hello, Hahnenkammbahn!).
- Cheaper entry to attractions like Ehrenberg Castle World, museums, and swimming pools.
- Sometimes even free guided walks or activities.
Double-check the specific perks when you get it, as they can tweak them. But seriously, use it! It saves cash and makes exploring dead easy.
Souvenirs: Taking a Piece of Tirol Home
Want a memento that isn’t just a dusty fridge magnet? Think local:
- A bottle of local Schnapps or a tasty liqueur.
- Some proper Tirolean Speck (cured bacon) or mountain cheese (vacuum-packed for travel!).
- Handmade wooden crafts – often beautifully carved.
- Maybe some quality hiking socks? (Practical!)
- Alright, fine, maybe a small cowbell… 🐮
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
Beyond Reutte: Brilliant Day Trips
One of Reutte’s superpowers is its location. You’re perfectly poised for some epic day trips:
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles (Germany): Disney’s inspiration is just over the border (30 mins drive). Seriously, book tickets MONTHS ahead online, or face epic disappointment.
Zugspitze (Germany/Austria): Stand on Germany’s highest peak! Get the cable car up from Ehrwald (Austria) or Garmisch (Germany). The views will blow your mind (and possibly your hat off).
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany): Classy Bavarian town, home to a Winter Olympics and the dramatic Partnach Gorge walk. Great for a wander.
Innsbruck (Austria): Tirol’s capital city fix. See the Golden Roof, wander the old town, maybe visit the Alpine Zoo. Easy 90-min drive or train ride.
Oberammergau (Germany): Famous for its once-a-decade Passion Play and houses covered in incredible paintings (Lüftlmalerei). Picture perfect.
Linderhof Palace (Germany): King Ludwig II’s smaller, gilded rococo fantasy palace. Opulent and fascinating.
🔹 Pro Tip: For Neuschwanstein, consider parking further away in Hohenschwangau village and walking up, or use the shuttle bus, to avoid the closest (and busiest) car parks right under the castle. Definitely the best way!
And that, folks, is Reutte served up on a platter! It might not shout the loudest in the Alpine playground, but its quiet confidence is exactly what makes it so brilliant, I love it! One day you’re testing your nerve hundreds of feet in the air, the next you’re paddling in water clearer than your conscience, all fuelled by dumplings and epic views. Reutte is practical, it’s breathtakingly beautiful, and it’s got adventure woven into its very fabric. Think of it as your dependable, fun-loving basecamp for all things Tirolean. Go on, give it a whirl – your Instagram feed (and your soul) will thank you. 😉
Your turn…
Right, over to you! Have you already fallen for Reutte’s charms? What blew your socks off? Did you conquer the Highline wobble? Got a secret Schnitzel spot we need to know about? Drop your stories, tips, questions, or just random thoughts in the comments below. 👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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FAQs (For the curious...)
Is Reutte, Austria actually worth visiting?
You bet your hiking boots it is! If you dig gob-smacking mountains, getting active outdoors (hiking, castles, that bridge!), but fancy somewhere a bit more real and less mobbed than the big-name resorts, Reutte is a winner. Its spot near Germany is also super handy for exploring two countries in one trip.
What's the absolute best time of year to hit up Reutte?
Depends what floats your boat! Summer (June-Aug) is peak hiking, swimming, and sunshine season. Autumn (Sept-Oct) is ridiculously pretty with the changing leaves and fewer people. Winter (Dec-Mar) is your go-to for snow vibes and skiing nearby. Spring (Apr-May) is when everything wakes up again. There’s no bad time, just different flavours!
How many days should I plan for in Reutte?
You could technically whizz through the main sights (Highline179, Ehrenberg) in a day if you’re really pushed. But to actually enjoy it, hike a bit, see a lake, and maybe have a decent strudel, give it at least 3-4 days. If you’re using it as a basecamp for exploring further afield (those Bavarian castles aren’t going to see themselves!), a week slips by easily.
How the heck do I get up to Highline179?
It hangs out just south of Reutte, over the main road (B179) near the Ehrenberg Castle gang. Easiest way? Drive and park at the Ehrenberg Klause (paid parking), then hoof it up the hill to the bridge entrance (steeper direct path or a gentler switchback). Some local buses might get you close-ish. Feeling energetic? You could hike from Reutte, but it’s a fair trek. Lazy option? The Ehrenberg Liner inclined lift whisks you most of the way up for an extra fee.
Is Reutte going to bankrupt me? trip – when's best to avoid total meltdowns (theirs and mine)?
Compared to flashy ski resorts or big cities like Vienna or Munich, Reutte is generally pretty kind to your wallet. Accommodation and eating out are often more reasonably priced. Making use of that free Guest Card for buses and discounts really helps stretch the Euros. You can definitely find everything from budget digs to posher hotels, so tailor it to your taste (and bank balance!).
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource.
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! I created The Travel Tinker as a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel, allowing you to tinker your own travels! Let's explore!
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