Via Alpina Red R40

The Via Alpina Red R40 is a single-day, roughly 15 km point-to-point stage in the Tyrol region of Austria, running from the Loasattel saddle (about 1,733 m) down through the western Tux Alps to the historic silver-mining town of Schwaz (about 545 m) in the Inn Valley. With around 200 m of climbing and over 1,200 m of descent, it rates as a moderate alpine walk and forms one link in the trans-Alpine Red Trail.

About the Via Alpina Red R40

The Via Alpina is a network of five colour-coded long-distance hiking trails spanning the alpine regions of eight countries: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. It was created in 2000 by a group of public and private organisations from the eight Alpine countries and received European Union funding between 2001 and 2008. Coordination originally ran from Grenoble in France before the secretariat transferred to CIPRA in Liechtenstein in January 2014.

The Red Trail is the longest of the five routes and the only one to cross all eight Alpine countries, running from Muggia near Trieste on the Adriatic coast to the Place du Palais in Monaco. It is divided into 161 numbered segments labelled R1 to R161. Stage R40 sits in the Austrian section, deep in the North Tyrol mountains, and carries walkers from the Loasattel saddle northwest to Schwaz on the River Inn.

This stage is a transitional one. Rather than tackling a summit, it links the high alpine pasture country of the Tux Alps with the cultural heart of the Inn Valley, descending past the Kellerjoch massif (2,344 m) into a town famous for its medieval silver mines. It is a rewarding day for hikers who want big mountain views in the morning and a warm bed, a train station and a hot meal by evening. Because it is a waypoint on a continental route, most people walk R40 as part of a multi-day Tyrolean traverse rather than as an isolated outing, though it works perfectly well as a standalone descent day.

Route Overview & Stages

The official Via Alpina staging (via-alpina.org stage 220) treats Loasattel to Schwaz as one continuous segment. For planning, the day breaks naturally into the sections below. Distances and elevation figures are approximate, as the route authority does not publish an exact length for every segment.

Total: approximately 15 km with around 200 m of ascent and more than 1,200 m of descent. Most fit hikers complete the stage in four to five hours of walking time, plus stops. The dominant feature of the day is downhill travel, so trekking poles and good knees matter more than raw stamina.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Loasattel (~1,733 m): The grassy saddle that opens the stage, a popular ski-touring and grazing area in the Tux Alps southeast of Schwaz, with sweeping views toward the Karwendel range across the valley.
• Kellerjoch (2,344 m): The signature peak above the route, crowned by the small Kellerjochkapelle chapel; a worthwhile side-trip summit for those with extra energy and a clear morning.
• Kellerjochhütte: An alpine hut near the high point of the day offering refreshments and an emergency bed, a classic Tyrolean rest stop before the long descent begins.
• Pillberg balcony: A string of high farmsteads on a sunny terrace above Pill, giving an uninterrupted panorama of the Inn Valley and the Karwendel limestone walls opposite.
• Larch and spruce forest: The middle section drops through mixed mountain woodland that glows gold in autumn and offers welcome shade on hot summer afternoons.
• Schwaz Silver Mine (Silberbergwerk Schwaz): Once the largest silver mine in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries; the show mine lets you ride a mine train 800 m into the mountain.
• Schwaz old town: A compact historic centre with the late-Gothic parish church and its copper-shingled roof, plus the Franciscan monastery, marking the cultural payoff at the end of the walk.
• River Inn: The valley artery that the route meets at Schwaz, with riverside paths and the rail line that makes this stage so easy to reach and leave.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R40

The reliable hiking window for R40 runs from mid-June to early October. The Loasattel saddle and the pastures around the Kellerjoch can hold snow patches well into June, and the alpine huts in the area typically operate only from roughly mid-June until late September or early October. Outside that window the upper section is a winter ski-touring environment rather than a hiking route.

July and August bring the warmest, longest days and the fullest hut service, but also afternoon thunderstorms that build quickly over the Tux Alps; an early start that puts you below the saddle before midday is the standard tactic. As of 2026, Tyrolean alpine clubs continue to recommend checking hut opening calendars before you set out, since seasonal staffing can shift year to year.

The single best month is September. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, the air is clearer for those Karwendel views, thunderstorm frequency drops compared with high summer, the larches start to turn gold on the descent, and the trails are noticeably quieter than in the August peak while huts and trains still run on summer schedules.

Practical Information

Accommodation

At the high end of the stage, the alpine hut near the Kellerjoch offers dormitory beds and meals; expect roughly EUR 25 to EUR 45 per night for a dormitory place, with Alpine Club (Alpenverein) members paying the lower rate. A cooked evening meal in a hut typically costs EUR 15 to EUR 22. Down in Schwaz you will find guesthouses, small hotels and a youth hostel, with double rooms generally in the EUR 70 to EUR 130 range and hostel beds around EUR 30 to EUR 45 including breakfast. Wild camping is restricted across Tyrol, so plan to overnight in huts or in town rather than pitching a tent on the mountain.

Getting There & Back

Schwaz is the easy end of the logistics. Schwaz railway station sits on the main Innsbruck to Wörgl line, with frequent regional trains; the ride from Innsbruck central station takes about 20 to 25 minutes. The nearest major airport is Innsbruck (INN), roughly 35 km west, while Munich (MUC) and Salzburg (SZG) are larger gateways around two to two and a half hours away by train. The Loasattel trailhead is harder to reach directly by public transport; many hikers arrive on foot from the previous Via Alpina stage, or take a regional bus and chairlift combination from the Schwaz/Pill side up toward the Kellerjoch area and walk in. Always confirm timetables in advance with the national rail operator.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Via Alpina Red R40; the trail is freely accessible. Costs are limited to accommodation, food and transport. Optional add-ons include the Schwaz Silver Mine tour (around EUR 22 for adults) and any chairlift you use to shorten the approach. Joining the Austrian or German Alpine Club before your trip pays for itself quickly through discounted hut beds if you are hiking several stages.

Gear & Packing List

This is a descent-heavy alpine day, so prioritise joint protection and weather readiness over ultralight bragging rights. Trekking poles are strongly recommended for the 1,200 m of downhill, along with broken-in boots, a waterproof shell for sudden Tux Alps storms, and warm layers for the exposed saddle. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water, since reliable refills are limited until you reach the huts or the valley.

For a single hut-to-hut stage like this, a 35 to 50 litre pack is plenty. The Abisko Hike 35 suits a light, fast day with hut sleeping, while the Aircontact Lite 45+10 gives more room if you are carrying gear for a longer Via Alpina section. Hikers chasing minimum weight on a multi-week traverse often favour a frameless or hybrid pack such as the 2400 Windrider. Whichever pack you choose, dial in your food carefully — see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to avoid the mid-afternoon energy crash. If you are still shopping for the pack itself, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares the leading options.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Tyrolean character of R40 appeals, several nearby Austrian routes scale the experience up into multi-day adventures across the same mountain ranges. The high-altitude hut traverses below sit largely in the Stubai, Zillertal and Karwendel ranges that frame this stage, while the long-distance options chain dozens of segments together much like the Via Alpina itself. For a contrasting cross-border classic, our walk-through of the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania shows what alpine hut-to-hut hiking looks like further south in Europe.

• Stubaier Höhenweg
• Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn
• Adlerweg
• JK01 (Austria, 720 km)
• JK02 (Austria, 720 km)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R40?
The trail is best from mid-June to early October, once snow has cleared from the Loasattel saddle and the alpine huts are open. September is the standout month: stable weather, clearer views toward the Karwendel, golden larches on the descent, fewer crowds than in August, and huts and trains still running summer schedules.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R40?
It is a moderate alpine stage. The total climb is modest at around 200 m, but you descend more than 1,200 m from the Loasattel saddle to Schwaz, which is demanding on knees and feet. The path is well marked with no technical scrambling, so good fitness, sturdy boots and trekking poles are enough for most hikers.

How long is the daily distance on this stage?
Stage R40 covers roughly 15 km in a single day, taking about four to five hours of walking plus stops. Because the route is overwhelmingly downhill after the early high section, pace is usually limited by descent comfort rather than effort. Most walkers do the whole stage in one day rather than splitting it.

What accommodation is available along the route?
Near the high point you can use the alpine hut around the Kellerjoch, with dormitory beds roughly EUR 25 to EUR 45 and meals around EUR 15 to EUR 22. Schwaz itself offers guesthouses, hotels and a youth hostel, with hostel beds about EUR 30 to EUR 45 and double rooms typically EUR 70 to EUR 130. Wild camping is restricted in Tyrol.

Do I need a permit or pay fees to hike R40?
No permit is required and the trail is free to walk. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Optional extras include the Schwaz Silver Mine tour at around EUR 22 and any chairlift used to shorten the approach. Alpine Club membership lowers hut prices and is worth buying if you plan several Via Alpina stages.

For official stage details visit the Via Alpina route authority page, and plan your trains to and from Schwaz with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).