Alps Traverse: Munich to Venice

• Train Transfer: 2-2.5 hours (before hike)
• Bus Transfer: 5-10 minutes (before hike)
• Hiking Distance: 5 to 6.2 mi (8 to 10 km)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 951 to 1312 ft (290 to 400 m)

On this Alps hiking tour, we meet at the Aloft Hotel lobby near the Munich central train station (Hauptbahnhof). After some short introductions and an orientation meeting, we’ll board a train to the medieval city of Füssen. From this beautiful Bavarian town we have a short transfer to our accommodations near our main attraction of the day, the fairy tale home of Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein Castle. After checking in we’ll walk up to tour the castle, then we’ll stretch our legs and shake off our travels on a walk to a few scenic nearby lakes, Schwansee and Alpsee. The distance of this additional hike is dependent on the amount of time we have after the castle visit and the weather conditions. Once back at our accommodations, we’ll have time to relax before our first dinner together.

• Hiking Distance: 10.6 mi (17 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3675 ft (1120 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2247 ft (685 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 30 minutes (after hike)

Our first full day of hiking brings us to some top notch Alpine scenery. Our path starts off crossing the famous Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) overlooking Neuschwanstein Castle. We continue on toward the Ammergau massif, where our groups often see small herds of wild chamois. Our surrounding views are full of incredible ridge lines, limestone pinnacles and green forests. At the end of our hike, a short private transfer takes us to our hotel in the town of Halblech. Here we can relax until dinner after a truly spectacular day in the mountains.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1640 ft (500 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2789 ft (850 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfers: 30 minutes (before hike) & 15 minutes (after hike)

After a European breakfast buffet at the hotel we will begin with a short transfer to the Kenzenhütte. Today we’ll climb over two mountain summits Lösertaljoch (5,518ft/1,682m) & Scheinbergjoch (5,787ft/1,764m, optional and weather dependent) with beautiful views into the surrounding mountains and especially into the deep Linderhof Valley. We’ll eventually make our way down to the historic Linderhof Castle. After touring this interesting and beautiful site, we’ll take a short transfer to our awaiting luggage and hotel. Tonight’s accommodations are in Ettal at a charming hotel situated in a classic mountain hamlet.

• Hiking Distance: 11.8 mi (19 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1640 ft (500 m)
• Elevation Loss: 984 ft (300 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 20 minutes (before hike)
• Train Transfer: 30 minutes (after hike)

This morning we shuttle briefly from Ettal to the famous Olympic city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen sitting at the base of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (9,678ft/2,950m). We begin our hike traversing through the spectacular Partnach Gorges. We’ll continue hiking towards the towering grey cliffs of the Wettersteinwand, which creates the natural boundary between Germany and Austria. Beautiful forested trails, mountain scenery and alpine lakes are the highlights along our route to the iconic Bavarian village of Mittenwald. Here we’ll catch a train to Seefeld, Austria and our first glimpse into the Northern Tyrol region of the Alps! We’ll check into our hotel and meet for our first Austrian dinner together.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3117 ft (950 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2953 ft (900 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 15 minutes (before hike)

Today starts with a short private vehicle transfer into the scenic Leutasch Valley. Our hike takes us up to the Scharnitzjoch pass and is filled with our first views of the outstanding Northern Tyrolean region. The high mountains here are some of the finest in all of the Alps. Our path passes a few mountain refuges along the way which we will stop for a break, some refreshments and to just soak up the amazing views. In the afternoon we’ll head down to the town of Leutasch and our accommodations for the evening.

• Hiking Distance: 11.8 mi (19 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2953 ft (900 m)
• Elevation Loss: 4593 ft (1400 m)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
• Bus Transfer: 5 minutes (before hike)
• Train Transfer: 45 minutes (after hike)

Today we start our hike after a short transfer by public bus to the Gaistal Valley. We’ll climb up between two of the region’s most impressive and imposing mountains, Hochwanner and Hohe Munde. Our high point and scenic reward for our effort will be on the Niedere Munde pass (6,755ft/2,059m). After soaking in the outstanding panoramic view, we’ll continue down toward the riverside town of Telfs. Here we’ll catch a short train to the historic city of Innsbruck to reach our accommodations. We’ll have a group dinner out on the town and hopefully find some of the world famous apfelstrudel this city is known for. After a big day on the trail we definitely deserve to treat ourselves!

• Hiking Distance: 6.8 mi (11 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1969 ft (600 m)
• Elevation Loss: 164 ft (50 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 1.5 hours (before hike)

The morning is set aside for some extra exploration of Innsbruck on your own, sleeping in or general relaxation. We will meet at the hotel at check-out and head out in a private transfer through the Zillertal Valley to the start of our hike away from our extra luggage. We’ll need to carry everything we need for the next 2 days of hiking and 1 overnight. Lunch will be near the trailhead leading to the beautiful Krimml Waterfall. Hiking through the spectacular Krimmler Achental Valley allows us to follow beneath the falls, boasting to be one of Europe’s highest, pouring into the valley at over 1,245ft/380m high above us! Tonight’s accommodations are in a beautifully situated mountain hut with private rooms and shared bathrooms. We’ll enjoy our final Austrian dinner, as tomorrow we hike into Italy and the Southern Tyrolean region!

• Hiking Distance: 11.8 mi (19 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3675 ft (1120 m)
• Elevation Loss: 3576 ft (1090 m)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 45 minutes (after hike)

Today we leave Austria on a challenging hike through the heart of the Tirolean Alps into the Northern most part of Italy! Our route takes us up to the Birnlücke pass (8,743ft/2,665m) traversing over a tall and narrow section of the Alps. We’ll soak up all the beautiful surrounding scenery along the way: high towering peaks, hanging glaciers and steep forested valleys! We’ll finish with a descent towards Prettau and our private transfer to our night’s lodging in the town of Brunico (Brueneck) and our extra luggage. Welcome to the Italian Dolomites!

• Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3445 ft (1050 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2526 ft (800 m)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
• Bus Transfer: 20 minutes (before hike)

This morning starts with breakfast at the hotel and a short public bus transfer just south of the small village of San Vigilio to the start of our hike. Our path leaves a small lake and starts climbing up between two high mountain walls. Our efforts will get us to the rewarding views from Cacagnares pass. After lunch a slower easier decent takes us through lush green valleys on our way to the idyllic Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee. Here our accommodations are located right beside this pristine lake surrounded by rocky peaks. It is a truly unforgettable location! Our private rooms tonight are in the hiker building with shared bathrooms.

• Hiking Distance: 9.3 mi (15 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3084 ft (940 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1148 ft (350 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
• Bus Transfer: 10-15 minutes (after hike)

Sunrise at the lake can be a magical moment for those willing and early to rise. After another European breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off hiking around to the far side of the lake and start climbing towards our high point of the day at the Croda del Becco pass. Crossing beneath a set of red and grey tinted peaks our views are spectacular of our mountainous surroundings and the rolling green pastures in the valley below. A descent down to Prato Piazza and a short bus transfer ends this fabulous day of hiking in the Dolomites. Our hotel tonight boasts amazing views, a wellness center and sauna for those wanting to relax and recuperate after our hike.

• Hiking Distance: 9.3 mi (15 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2198 ft (670 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2690 ft (820 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
• Bus Transfer: 15 minutes (before hike)
• Vehicle Transfer: 10 minutes (after hike)

Today’s hike offers the group more amazing views of the Dolomites. Our hike starts by climbing up over the Strudelsattel, where we start to drop down into the Landro Valley before crossing into the Rienza Valley. After a short climb we’ll reach the head of the Rin Bianco Valley and start down this scenic stretch of trail until ending our hike. An awaiting private transfer takes us to our accommodations for the next two nights near the shores of Lake Misurina.

• Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 2460 ft (750 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Bus Transfer: 15 minutes (one-way)

During our hike today, we explore possibly the most iconic area or the Dolomites, Tre Cime di Lavarado. A short public bus transfer from the hotel takes us to the Auronzo refuge and the start of our final hike. Today is all about jaw dropping views as we hike through a sea of rock towers, pinnacles and peaks. We start out by climbing toward the popular Laveredo pass. From here we’ll descend toward the beautiful mountain lakes of Cengia before climbing another pass with panoramic views. The final stretch of our day walks beneath the famous towering peaks that this area is named for and a perfect way to celebrate our time hiking together. Another short bus transfer will get us back to our hotel near Lake Misurina and dinner together. What a hike it has been, next stop Venice!

• Vehicle Transfer: 2.5 hours

We’ll have a relaxed morning before meeting after breakfast to catch our private transfer to Venice. Today is all about exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After arrival to Venice we’ll walk from where we are dropped off to our hotel in the city center to drop our luggage. Check-in is not available until 2pm, but there is no lack of sites to keep us busy in this iconic Italian city. The afternoon is free for everyone to explore Venice and eat lunch according to their own schedule and desires. Our guides can help give recommendations for sightseeing highlights and restaurants. Later in the evening, we’ll meet back up in the hotel lobby to go out for our final dinner together and celebration of our Alps traverse and time together!

Today marks the end of our journey. We’ll enjoy one last breakfast together at our hotel in Venice, where we’ll say our very fond good-byes, and start dreaming of our next adventure! The hotel’s check-out time is 11am. If leaving today airport transportation is easy to obtain through multiple options: public transportation (train, bus or water taxi) or a more expensive private taxi. Your guide and/or the hotel staff will be able to help in planning any transportation needs you have.