Jump to content
Jump to footer
Book now
To the online version
View of the huts in Steeg in the Inn Valley

Crossing of the Alps E5: Oberstdorf – Merano with Charm

Along the European long-distance hiking path across the Alps.

8 Days / 7 Nights
Trekking
228  kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
View of the huts in Steeg in the Inn Valley

The E5 is one of the most popular long-distance hiking paths and is not called the ‚most beautiful of all crossings of the Alps‘ for nothing. You hike from the green Allgäu region through the endless mountain world of the Tyrol into the enchanting Passeiertal-valley in South Tyrol all the way to the Mediterranean spa town of Merano. Along the way you experience diverse mountain regions, mountain massifs and alpine landscapes.  Divine nature spectacles featuring roaring waterfalls, very deep valleys, extensive alp scenery, high-altitude paths and impressive mountain passes await. Always accompanied by steep towering peaks, jagged rock needles, long-distance views and glistening white glacial areas. Again and again dairy alps and mountain huts invite for a break, the strenuous efforts of ascents and descents are rewarded by incredible mountain panoramas. The crossing of the Alps by foot: dream tour and desired destination for any mountaineering enthusiast!

Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Get in touch

Experience the popular E5 long-distance hiking trail up close and immerse yourself in a trekking adventure that will remain in your memory for a long time. One of the most beautiful crossings of the Alps awaits you on this trekking tour. In eight days and six hiking stages, you hike – partly in the high alpine area – from Oberstdorf in Bavaria to Meran in South Tyrol. A unique highlight for all experienced hikers.

  • Heart palpitations on the Holzgau suspension bridge: right on the first day’s stage, you cross the highest and longest pedestrian suspension bridge in all of Austria.
  • Culinary delights in South Tyrol: This cross-border trekking holiday takes you from Bavaria to beautiful South Tyrol. Typical South Tyrolean hospitality and wonderful culinary delights such as tasty dumpling dishes or excellent South Tyrolean wines await you here.
  • Experience original nature up close: On this trekking tour, the route leads partly through high alpine regions. So you can experience nature – far away from the crowds – particularly intensively. More information about hiking in the Alps at a glance.

This hiking holiday is assigned our level of difficulty ‘Trekking’ and requires a good level of fitness, as well as surefootedness and a head for heights. The daily stages are planned to last around four to six hours and partly lead through the high alpine area. Note: From the third hiking stage, you can choose a more relaxed option for the route if you wish, or use public transport.

Itinerary at a glance

On your route across the Alps, you’ll encounter the longest suspension bridge in Austria and climb up to spectacular high routes from peak to peak, past rustic mountain huts at 3,000m altitude at Pitztaler Jöchl. You will stay overnight amidst the impressive Alpine scenery, in the picturesque mountain valleys.

Seize the afternoon for a stroll through Oberstdorf or already scent the alpine air at the Nebelhorn to get you in the right mood.

Through the marvellous Allgäu Alps along on an impressive trail through the Sperrbachtobel ravine steadily ascending to the hut Kemptner Hütte. At the pass crossing Mädelejoch you cross the border into Austria, where a descent with great views awaits down into the Lechtal-valley. Via a spectacular chain bridge you reach Holzgau and there get to marvel at the colourful painted houses on the village square.

Along remote alp roads you hike deep into the dairly alps area situated in the heart of the Lechtal Alps. The route takes you to the pass crossing at the hut Leutkircher Hütte, where you enjoy a break in the quaint mountaineers‘ base. Then you descend towards the Arlberg and finally on the Way of St. James to St. Jakob. A placid bus ride takes you towards the valley into the Inntal river valley.

A cable car ride takes you up to an altitude of 2000 metres. The ridgeway across the Venet is breathtaking, 360° panorama onto snow-capped mountains and jagged peaks. You climb two summits and then take a rest at the alp surrounded by cow bells. A stunning meadow- and forest path takes you to Wenns in the Pitztal-valley.

After a short bus ride you hike along the panorama path steadily ascending to the hut Braunschweiger Hütte. After a break there you proceed to the highest point of the holiday, the Pitztaler Jöchl on an altitude of just under 3000 metres. A nice hiking path leads you through the Rettenbach further downhill, until you master the final metres in altitude into the Ötztal-valley by bus or cable car. Alternatively to the alpine route you can explore the Pitzenklamm-ravine along the Luis Trenker-trail, along the river Inn into the area prone to rock falls Sautner Forchet. Via the idyllic Lake Piburger See and the spectacular bridge Wallner Brücke along the roaring river Ötztaler Ache into the valley.

Along the old smugglers‘ trails via the Timmelsjoch to Italy. Stunning paths lead you through the sunny Timmelstal-valley to the pass on an altitude of 2500 metres. A marvellous descent through the impressive alpine scenery and flower meadows, surrounded by steep, towering rockfaces. Steadily headed for the valley you hike across the upper Passeiertal-valley and enjoy South Tyrolean hospitality over a well-earned dinner.

Along the footsteps of the freedom fighter Andreas Hofer you ascend to the alp Pfandleralm. Along forest trails to the Riffel, where a breathtaking high-altitude path starts: panoramic views as far as the eye can see. After a break at the hut Hirzerhütte you descend by cable car towards the valley and take the bus to Merano.

Day
08
Departure or extra days

Itinerary at a glance

On your route across the Alps, you’ll encounter the longest suspension bridge in Austria and climb up to spectacular high routes from peak to peak, past rustic mountain huts at 3,000m altitude at Pitztaler Jöchl. You will stay overnight amidst the impressive Alpine scenery, in the picturesque mountain valleys.

Seize the afternoon for a stroll through Oberstdorf or already scent the alpine air at the Nebelhorn to get you in the right mood.

Through the marvellous Allgäu Alps along on an impressive trail through the Sperrbachtobel ravine steadily ascending to the hut Kemptner Hütte. At the pass crossing Mädelejoch you cross the border into Austria, where a descent with great views awaits down into the Lechtal-valley. Via a spectacular chain bridge you reach Holzgau and there get to marvel at the colourful painted houses on the village square.

Along remote alp roads you hike deep into the dairly alps area situated in the heart of the Lechtal Alps. The route takes you to the pass crossing at the hut Leutkircher Hütte, where you enjoy a break in the quaint mountaineers‘ base. Then you descend to the famous winter sports destination of St. Anton.

A short train ride to Landeck and then by cable car to an altitude of 2,000m. The ridgeway across the Venet is breathtaking, 360° panorama onto snow-capped mountains and jagged peaks. You climb two summits and then take a rest at the alp surrounded by cow bells. A stunning meadow- and forest path takes you to Wenns in the Pitztal-valley.

 

 

After a bus ride you hike along the panorama path steadily ascending to the hut Braunschweiger Hütte. After a break there you proceed to the highest point of the holiday, the Pitztaler Jöchl on an altitude of just under 3000 metres. A nice hiking path leads you through the Rettenbach further downhill, until you master the final metres in altitude into the Ötztal-valley by bus or cable car. Alternatively to the alpine route you can explore the Pitzenklamm-ravine along the Luis Trenker-trail, along the river Inn into the area prone to rock falls Sautner Forchet. Via the idyllic Lake Piburger See and the spectacular bridge Wallner Brücke along the roaring river Ötztaler Ache into the valley.

Along the old smugglers‘ trails via the Timmelsjoch to Italy. Stunning paths lead you through the sunny Timmelstal-valley to the pass on an altitude of 2500 metres. A marvellous descent through the impressive alpine scenery and flower meadows, surrounded by steep, towering rockfaces. Steadily headed for the valley you hike across the upper Passeiertal-valley and enjoy South Tyrolean hospitality over a well-earned dinner.

Along the footsteps of the freedom fighter Andreas Hofer you ascend to the alp Pfandleralm. Along forest trails to the Riffel, where a breathtaking high-altitude path starts: panoramic views as far as the eye can see. After a break at the hut Hirzerhütte you descend by cable car towards the valley and take the bus to Merano.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Tour character

Trekking

Alpine hikes with walking times between 4 to 6 hours. In parts you hike in high-Alpine areas, for this hiking experience is necessary. Surefootedness, a head for heights and a good fitness level are prerequisite. The first two hiking days diplay an alpine nature, on all other days you have the option to go for a more leisurely alternative route in the valley, as well as optionally shorten the route by public transport.

Difficulty level

Trekking

Alpine hikes with walking times between 4 to 6 hours. In parts you hike in high-Alpine areas, for this hiking experience is necessary. Surefootedness, a head for heights and a good fitness level are prerequisite. The first two hiking days diplay an alpine nature, on all other days you have the option to go for a more leisurely alternative route in the valley, as well as optionally shorten the route by public transport.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Sustainably on the go

Offsetting your carbon footprint

228 kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
The total value of all emissions per travel and per person is carefully tracked using the CO2 calculator 'Carmacal,' which was specifically developed for tour operators. The individual components that make up this value are shown in the diagram. The overall impact is contributed to by accommodations, luggage transport, on-site catering, and activities, and it is fully offset through our climate protection projects.
Accommodation (53%)
Meals (14%)
Transport (28%)
Activities (4%)
100%

Services and information

Further details about this tour

Included:

  • Accommodation in hotels with charm
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1x original „Lechweg“-cheese from the organic dairy Sojer in Steeg
  • 1x ascent by cable car Venet
  • 1x descent by cable car Hirzer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras:

  • Mass transfer (with central point for access and exit) from Merano to Oberstdorf (min. 2 persons, daily), cost per person EUR 55, reservation necessary, payable in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

  • Train journey to Oberstdorf and in a few minutes‘ walk or a short bus ride to your start hotel.
  • Munich airport, by train in approx. 2.5 hours to Oberstdorf or Memmingen airport, approx. 1 hour journey time by train.
  • Parking: Hotel parking garage,  approx. EUR 8 to EUR 12 per day (limited number). Public parking spaces from approx. EUR 7 per day (www.parken-ok.com).
  • Return journey from Merano to Oberstdorf by train in approx. 8 hours (3x change of trains).

Things to note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Special dates on request
  • Journeys by public transport, cost approx. EUR 15 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services and information
Further details about this tour

Included:

  • Accommodation in hotels with charm
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 train ride St. Anton – Landeck
  • 1 ascent by cable car Venet
  • 1 descent by cable car Hirzer
  • 1 original „Lechweg“-cheese from the organic dairy Sojer in Steeg
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras:

  • Shared transfer from Merano to Oberstdorf with central pick-up and drop-off point (min. 2 people, daily from 13.06. to 23.09., luggage transportation from the hotel to the pick-up point on your own). Costs per person EUR 55, reservation required, payable in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

  • Train journey to Oberstdorf and in a few minutes‘ walk or a short bus ride to your start hotel.
  • Munich airport, by train in approx. 2.5 hours to Oberstdorf or Memmingen airport, approx. 1 hour journey time by train.
  • Parking: Hotel parking garage,  approx. EUR 8 to EUR 12 per day (limited number). Public parking spaces from approx. EUR 7 per day (www.parken-ok.com).
  • Return journey from Merano to Oberstdorf by train in approx. 8 hours (3x change of trains).

Things to note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Journeys by public transport, costs to the start of the hike or to the hotel accommodation, approx. EUR 10 per person (longer journey times: Sankt Jakob - Landeck, approx. 40 min and Wenns - Pitztal (depending on hotel accommodation, approx. 15 to 30min).
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Our hotels

Relax in our charming accommodations along your walking tour

Travel stories for this tour

Personally on site for you

Stephanie Erbschwendtner

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Travel Specialist
One call to vacation bliss
Monday - Thursday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Call now
One click to vacation bliss
 
I am looking forward to your message!
Contact form

5 out of 5 stars

1 rating
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Load more

Further tours, you might also be interested in

from
€1,689
Book now Book
You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.