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Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Your Dolomites basecamp reachable by Flixbus or bus from Innsbruck via Dobbiaco. From here you can access Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, Passo Tre Croci, and Cinque Torri all by local Dolomiti Bus. Stock up at the Coop and book buses early as they fill fast in summer.
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Ortisei, Italy
Gateway to Val Gardena and reachable by SAD bus from Bolzano. Use this as your base for Seceda Ridge Walk, Adolf Munkel Trail, Val di Funes, Alpe di Siusi (Seiseralm), Geisler Alm, and Passo Giau area. The village has great cable cars and local buses connecting all trailheads — grab a Südtirol Guest Pass from your accommodation for free transit.
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Ehrwald, Austria
Charming Tyrolean village at the foot of Zugspitze, easily reached by train via Innsbruck and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Base here for Seebensee, Drachensee, and the Drachenstein via the Ehrwalder Almbahn gondola. Leutaschklamm gorge is a short bus ride away toward Mittenwald — a magical slot canyon walk.
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Bad Ischl, Austria
The imperial Salzkammergut town is your hub for the Austrian lake district, connected by train and PostBus. Day trips by bus cover Attersee, Mondsee, Traunsee, Hinterer Gosausee, and Lammerklamm near Golling. Don't miss Konditorei Zauner for the famous Zaunerstollen cake and a stroll along the Traun river promenade.
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Wörschach, Austria
Small Styrian village reachable by train on the Ennstal line from Salzburg or Linz. The Wörschachklamm gorge is a thrilling narrow ravine walk right from the village — bring waterproof shoes. This quiet stop makes a perfect final adventure before heading back to Vienna by train via Selzthal and Linz.