Germany, Austria, Italy - Cross the Alps on the legendary E5 trail
- Along the legendary hiking route over the Alps -
The E5 is one of the most popular hiking trails and is not without reason called "the most beautiful of all crossings of the Alps". You hike from the green Allgäu region through Tyrol's endless mountain world into the enchanting Passeier Valley in South Tyrol all the way to Merano. Along the way you will experience different mountain ranges, massifs and alpine landscapes. Divine natural spectacles await you here, with rushing waterfalls, very deep valleys, extensive Alpine landscapes, high altitude trails and impressive mountain passes. Always accompanied by steep towering peaks, jagged rocky islands, elongated vistas and glistening white glacier areas. Again and again, mountain huts invite you to take a break and the effort of ascents and descents is rewarded with incredible mountain panoramas. Crossing the Alps on foot: a dream trip and a desired goal for every mountaineering enthusiast!
More about the route
Alpine walks with a walking time of between 4 and 5 hours. In some parts of the hikes you will be hiking in high alpine areas and hiking experience is required. It is important to be sure on your feet and in good shape. It is also important not to be afraid of heights. The first two hiking days are of alpine nature, while on all other days you have the possibility to choose a more relaxed alternative route in the valley and possibly shorten the route by public transport.
Highlights of the trip
- Alpine walks through three countries
- Views of glaciers and snow-capped mountain panoramas
- Impressive mountain passes and incredible high altitude trails
- Roaring waterfalls and deep valleys
- The cultural and spa town of Merano
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
Spend the afternoon strolling around Oberstdorf, or sniff the alpine air on the Nebelhorn to get in the mood.
Through the wonderful Allgäu Alps on an impressive Via Ferrata through the Sperrbachtobel and steadily uphill to the Kemptner Hütte. At the pass over the Mädelejoch, you cross the border into Austria, where a descent awaits with stunning views down into the Lechtal valley. Via a spectacular chain bridge you reach Holzgau, where you can admire the colourfully painted houses in the village square.
Along remote Alpine paths you hike deep into the lovely Alpine region that lies in the heart of the Lechtal Alps. The route takes you to the mountain pass at Leutkircher Hütte, where you enjoy a break in the cosy mountaineering base. Then you descend towards the Arlberg and finally on the Jakobsweg to St. Jakob. A leisurely bus ride takes you towards the valley of the Inntal River.
A cable car ride takes you up to an altitude of 2000 metres. The mountain trail above Venet is breathtaking, 360° panorama of snow-capped mountains and jagged peaks. You climb two peaks and then take a rest on the mountain surrounded by cowbells. A stunning meadow and forest road leads you to Wenns in the Pitztal valley.
After a short bus ride, you hike steadily up the panoramic path to Braunschweiger Hütte. After a break here, you continue to the highest point of your holiday, the Pitztaler Jöchl at an altitude of almost 3000 metres. A lovely hiking trail leads you through Rettenbach further down until you manage the last metres of altitude into the Ötztal valley by bus or cable car. As an alternative to the Alpine route, you can explore the Pitzenklamm gorge along the Luis Trenker trail, along the Inn River and into the rocky Sautner Forchet area. Via the idyllic Piburger See lake and the spectacular Wallner Brücke bridge along the rushing Ötztaler Ache river, you enter the valley.
You walk the old smugglers' roads via Timmelsjoch to Italy. The fantastic trails lead you through the sunny Timmelstal valley to the pass at 2500 metres altitude. A wonderful descent through the impressive alpine landscape and flower meadows, surrounded by steep, towering rock walls. On the way down, hike through the Upper Passeier Valley and enjoy South Tyrolean hospitality over a well-deserved dinner.
In the footsteps of freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, you climb to the Pfandleralm. Along forest paths to Riffel, where a breathtaking high trail begins: panoramic views as far as the eye can see. After a break at the Hirzerhütte, take the cable car down into the valley and catch the bus to Merano.
The E5 hiking trip is now over. You will leave the hotel in the morning. It is possible to get extra nights in Merano after the tour. This can be selected on the booking form.
Price includes
- 7 nights in fine 3- and sometimes 4-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- Luggage transport between hotels
- 1 nice Lechweg cheese from the organic dairy Sojer in Steeg
- Ticket for cable car Venet (up)
- Ticket for cable car Hirzer (down)
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline while you walk
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to the starting point
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (€20)
- Journeys by public bus (cost approx. 15 euro pr. person)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. If you travel alone a single room is necessary.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
Transportation to/from Oberstdorf is not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
Transport after the tour
On the booking form, you can choose the transfer from Merano back to Oberstdorf. The transfer leaves from a central location in Merano (i.e. not necessarily at the last hotel). The transfer is for a minimum of 2 people and runs daily. It is necessary to book in advance. The meeting time for the transfer is 7:45 am and it leaves at 8 am from a central location in Merano. You have to walk to the meeting point yourself.
On this trip you will stay in fine 3 and/or 4 star hotels. It is possible to add extra nights before and after the trip. This is selected on the booking form.
Breakfast is included every day. Lunch can be found in the towns before setting off and dinner can be eaten in the hotels or in restaurants close by.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This tour has difficulty grade 4.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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You are more than welcome to contact us if you have questions about anything.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]