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Highlights
Trek the well-known E5 route from Bavaria in Germany to South Tyrol in Italy
Experience heart-pounding excitement as you cross the highest and longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Austria, the Holzgau suspension bridge, right on the first day of the trek.
Indulge in the warm hospitality and culinary treasures of South Tyrol, including delicious dumpling dishes and excellent South Tyrolean wines.
Encounter divine natural spectacles, from roaring waterfalls and deep valleys to expansive alpine scenery and glistening white glacial areas, all accompanied by breathtaking mountain panoramas.
Visit the beautiful Passeiertal Valley which is known for its charming villages, lush meadows, and the meandering Passer River.
The E5 is one of the most popular long-distance hiking paths and is often called the “most beautiful of all crossings of the Alps”.
You will 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!
This hiking holiday 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.
The E5 is one of the most popular long-distance hiking paths and is often called the “most beautiful of all crossings of the Alps”.
You will 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!
This hiking holiday 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.
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E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Oberstdorf
Seize the afternoon for a stroll through Oberstdorf and enjoy scent the alpine air at the Nebelhorn to get you in the right mood.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Oberstdorf
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hike to Steeg
Walk through the marvelous 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Steeg
Distance: 6 hours, 14km, 990m of ascent, 1.100m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike to Landeck
Along remote alp roads you hike deep into the heart of the Lechtal Alps. The route takes you to the pass crossing at the 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Landeck
Distance: 5.5 hours, 14km, 900m of ascent, 1.100m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Hike to Pitztal-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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pitztal-Valley
Distance: 4.5-5 hours, 11km, 350m of ascent, 1,490m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Hike to Ötztal-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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ötztal-Valley
Distance: 6 hours, 13km, 1,250m of ascent, 950m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Hike to Passeiertal-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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Passeiertal-Valley
Distance: 5-5.5 hours, 15km, 1,000m of ascent, 1,000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Arrive at Merano
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Merano
Distance: 6 hours, 14km, 1,490m of ascent, 250m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure or extra days
Departure or extra days.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures: The departures are available every Thursday and Sunday, from June 15th and September 14th, 2024.
- Single room: from EUR1568*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1299*
Accommodation on E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Night 3
Sporthotel St. Anton in St. Anton am Arlberg ★★★★
Sporthotel St. Anton is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of St. Anton am Arlberg, offering modern amenities, exceptional dining, and easy access to world-renowned alpine skiing and hiking trails, making it an ideal retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.
What’s Included in the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included, as well as 2 cable car rides: ascent at Venet and descent at Hirzer and 1 train ride from St. Anton to Landeck. Any other transfers, such as public transport, are not included and are payable on the spot.
Also Included
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- Service hotline
- Original „Lechweg“-cheese from the organic dairy Sojer in Steeg
Not included
- Getting to and from the trailhead
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Transfers to and from the trailhead
- Tourist tax (paid locally)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour?
- Are meals included on the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Oberstdorf to start this tour?
- Is the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour in English?
- Where does the E5: Oberstdorf to Meran Trekking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany, Austria or Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Germany, Austria or Italy?
We rate this tour as a 5 / 5. This itinerary consists of daily alpine hikes with walking times between 4 to 5 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 display 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.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to half board for an extra charge.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your travel insurance.
The closest airport to the trailhead is Munich Airport, from where you can embark the train, which in approx. 2.5 hours to Oberstdorf. Another option is to fly to Memmingen airport, which is approx. 1 hour journey time by train to Oberstdorf.
Yes, the tour description is in English.
The tour ends in Meran, Italy. You can either book a private transfer back to Oberstdorf, travel back to Oberstdorf by train (approx. 8 hours and 3x change of trains) or depart from Venice Airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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