Day 1: Welcome to the Allgäu and ascent to the Kemptner Hütte

At Oberstdorf station you meet your mountain guide for the Alpine crossing. After a brief equipment check you take the bus to Spielmannsau, where the climb to the Kemptner Hütte begins. The varied path through the narrow Sperrbachtobel up to this beautifully situated hut leads you straight into the magnificent mountain world of the Allgäu Alps.

Distance: approx. 6 km - Ascent: approx. 900 m - Descent: approx. 50 m - Walking time: approx. 3 h - Accommodation: Kemptner Hütte - Meals: dinner

Day 2: Over the Mädelejoch to the Memminger Hütte in the Lechtal Alps

After breakfast you start the ascent to the Mädelejoch (1.973 m). Here you cross the border from Germany into Austria, from Bavaria into Tyrol. Spread out before you is the imposing chain of the Lechtal Alps with their many rocky summits. From the pass you descend into the Höhenbachtal, passing the Roßgumpenalpe and the Simms Wasserfall to reach the Lechtal and the little village of Holzgau. Enjoy a short break here before a taxi takes you a short way to Madau. Then it’s time to climb again to tonight’s overnight stop. Green meadows, a clear mountain lake and rocky peaks as a backdrop – the Memminger Hütte at 2.242 m stands in one of the most beautiful spots in the Lechtal Alps.

Distance: approx. 14 km - Ascent: approx. 1,150 m - Descent: approx. 975 m - Walking time: approx. 8 h - Accommodation: Memminger Hütte - Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Through the Zammer Loch into the Inn Valley

A long stage through a fairytale mountain landscape lies ahead, so you set off early in the morning. Your route leads past the Seewiseen out of the impressive mountain bowl around the Memminger Hütte, over rocky terrain up to the Seescharte (2.599 m). The reward for this climb is a breathtaking view. The descent starts steeply, then continues more gently to the Oberlochalpe and Unterlochalpe, perfect for a short rest. Fortified with Speck and cheese, you continue to the Zammer Loch. Through this mystical, deeply incised gorge you descend on a path blasted into the rock walls all the way to Zams in the Inn Valley.

Distance: approx. 15 km - Ascent: approx. 500 m - Descent: approx. 1,875 m - Walking time: approx. 7 h - Accommodation: Zammer Alm - Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 4: From the Venet to the Braunschweiger Hütte at the head of the Pitztal

From the top station of the Venetbahn you walk high above the Inn Valley first to the summit of the Venet, the Glanderspitze (2.512 m). This free-standing massif offers outstanding all-round views of the mountains of Tyrol. You continue over alpine pastures and mountain meadows to Wenns in the Pitztal, where a transfer takes you to Mittelberg at the end of the valley. Here the second part of today’s stage begins – the climb to the Braunschweiger Hütte. Passing an impressive waterfall, you zigzag upwards until the view opens onto the mighty glacial ice of the still vast Mittelbergferner. The hut stands at 2.759 m, almost at the edge of the Karlesferner. With a direct view of the glacier, you can round off the day on the hut terrace.

Distance: approx. 16 km - Ascent: approx. 1,350 m - Descent: approx. 1,550 m - Walking time: approx. 8 h - Accommodation: Braunschweiger Hütte - Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5: In the glacier world of the Ötztal Alps to the Martin-Busch-Hütte

Today brings a fascinating walk over the Pitztaler Jöchl (2.996 m) into the Ötztal and on to the glacier village of Vent. This section is the most alpine part of the crossing, with short cable-secured passages. During the ascent to the pass you enjoy a breathtaking view of the ice of the Karlesferner; at the top, the majestic glacier peaks of the Ötztal and Stubai Alps await. After descending to the Rettenbachferner you take a short bus ride to the Tiefenbachferner. Here the Venter Höhenweg begins, leading you with wonderful panoramic views to the mountaineering village of Vent. After a well-earned break, the final climb of the day awaits – the Martin-Busch-Hütte (2.501 m) in the midst of the rugged wilderness of the main Alpine ridge is your goal.

Distance: approx. 20 km - Ascent: approx. 1,025 m - Descent: approx. 1,375 m - Walking time: approx. 8 h - Accommodation: Martin-Busch-Hütte - Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Across the main Alpine ridge and on towards Meran

Today you cross the main Alpine ridge and walk from the high-alpine region of the Ötztal Alps down into South Tyrol. From the Martin-Busch-Hütte you climb through the Niedertal to the glacier-surrounded Similaunhütte. At 3.019 m you reach the highest point of your Alpine crossing. Take a short break to enjoy the view of the ice-clad summit of the Similaun (3.599 m). From the hut the route drops steeply into the Tisental. Below, the Vernagtsee already shimmers a brilliant blue – the goal of today’s stage. The last few kilometres towards Meran are covered by taxi. Under palm trees you can then relax by the pool at your accommodation or use the time to explore Meran’s old town.

Distance: approx. 10 km - Ascent: approx. 525 m - Descent: approx. 1,350 m - Walking time: approx. 5 h - Accommodation: Hotel Gasthof zum Hirschen** in Algund near Meran - Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 7: Farewell to Meran and return to Oberstdorf

A night in a hotel will surely have helped you recover from the exertions of the past days. After breakfast a bus (shared transfer) takes you back to Oberstdorf, the starting point of your Alpine crossing.

Meals: breakfast

Requirements

The E5 Alpine crossing from hut to hut from Oberstdorf to Meran requires fitness for walking times of 8 to 9 hours per day. You must be able to manage ascents of up to 1,300 metres of ascent, descents of up to 2,000 metres of descent, and distances of up to 20 km. The route partly leads through alpine terrain with snowfields or slippery scree. Short sections are secured with fixed cables. Therefore you should have mountain walking experience. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential.

Difficulty level

Fitness: challenging - Technique: moderate

Guided crossing of the Alps on the E5 with 6 walking days, approx. 81 km. Five nights in mountain huts in shared rooms or dormitories, one night in a hotel in Algund. Half board, without luggage transfer. Group size 4 to 10 people.

Requirements: walking times up to 8–9 hours, ascents up to 1300 m, descents up to 2000 m, distances up to 20 km. Alpine terrain with snowfields, scree and short sections with fixed cables. Mountain walking experience, sure-footedness and a head for heights are necessary. Fitness: challenging, technique: moderate.

If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will inform you about alternatives approx. 4 weeks before arrival.

If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will inform you about alternatives approx. 4 weeks before the arrival day.