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Crossing the Alps E5: Oberstdorf - Meran

Experience the popular E5 long-distance hiking trail

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 Tyrol into the enchanting Passeiertal-valley in South Tyrol to the Mediterranean spa town of Merano.

Divine nature spectacles featuring roaring waterfalls, profound 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, the Alps and mountain huts invite you to take a break. The strenuous efforts of ascents and descents are rewarded by incredible mountain panoramas.

Details about the hiking tour on the E5 from Oberstdorf to Meran

Experience the popular E5 long-distance hiking trail up close. 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 Germany to Meran in Italy. A unique highlight for all experienced hikers.

The highlights of the trekking tour on the E5:

  • Holzgau suspension bridge: Right on the first day’s stage, you cross the highest and longest pedestrian suspension bridge in 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.

Worth knowing about the E5 trekking tour from Oberstdorf to Meran

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 prerequisites. 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.

This tour has been graded as Athletic. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Athletic
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 81 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Athletic
Germany

Crossing the Alps E5: Oberstdorf - Meran

Self-Guided | 8 Days
Go to season 2024
To travel consultants

Itinerary

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 colourfully painted houses on the village square.

 

ca. 6 hours
14 km
990 m
900 m

Along remote alp roads, you hike deep into the daily 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.

ca. 5,5 hours
14 km
900 m
1.100 m

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

 

ca. 4,5 - 5 hours
11 km
350 m
1.490 m

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 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.

ca. 6 hours
13 km
1.250 m
950 m

Along the old smugglers‘ trails via the Timmelsjoch to Italy. Stunning paths lead you through the sunny Timmelstal-valley to the pass at 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.  

 

ca. 5 - 5,5 hours
15 km
1.000 m
1.000 m

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.

ca. 6 hours
14 km
1.490 m
250 m

Route information

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 prerequisites. 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.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: E5: Oberstdorf to Meran

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Oberstdorf
  Season 1
18.06.2023 - 25.06.2023
28.08.2023 - 10.09.2023

Thursday and Sunday
Season 2
26.06.2023 - 27.08.2023

Thursday and Sunday
Crossing the Alps E5: Oberstdorf - Meran, DE-ALWOM-08X
Base price
1,109.00
1,219.00
Single room surcharge 209.00 209.00

 

Category: Beautiful 3*** hotels and some 4**** hotels

Season 1
Jun 18, 2023 - Jun 25, 2023
Aug 28, 2023 - Sep 10, 2023
Thursday and Sunday
Season 2
Jun 26, 2023 - Aug 27, 2023
Thursday and Sunday
Crossing the Alps E5: Oberstdorf - Meran, DE-ALWOM-08X
Base price
Single room surcharge
1,109.00
209.00
1,219.00
209.00

 

Category: Beautiful 3*** hotels and some 4**** hotels

Season 1
Jun 18, 2023 - Jun 25, 2023
Aug 28, 2023 - Sep 10, 2023
Season 2
Jun 26, 2023 - Aug 27, 2023
Oberstdorf
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
Meran
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
89.00
35.00
89.00
29.00
109.00
35.00
99.00
29.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Oberstdorf
  Season 1
Jun 18, 2023 - Jun 25, 2023
Aug 28, 2023 - Sep 10, 2023

Thursday and Sunday
Season 2
Jun 26, 2023 - Aug 27, 2023

Thursday and Sunday
Oberstdorf
Double room p.p 89.00 109.00
Single room surcharge 35.00 35.00
Meran
Double room p.p 89.00 99.00
Single room surcharge 29.00 29.00
Prices per person in GBP

Services and information

Services

Included:

  • 7x overnight stays as stated  
  • 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)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional:

  • Collective transfer (with a central point for access and exit) from Merano to Oberstdorf (min. 2 persons, daily), costs EUR 49 per person, EUR 15 per dog, reservation necessary, payable in advance.
Information

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

  • Arrival by train in 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: a limited number of hotel parking spaces free of charge, no reservation possible. Near the hotel there are fee-based parking options, cost approx. EUR 7 per day.
  • Return journey from Merano to Oberstdorf by train in approx. 8 hours (3x change of trains).

Important information:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Journeys by public transport, cost approx. EUR 15 per person
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Oberstdorf

Hotel Müggelturm 3***

https://www.hotelmueggelturm.de/

Steeg

Hotel Styrolerhof 3***

www.hotel-styrolerhof.at

Landeck

Hotel Schrofenstein 4****

www.schrofenstein.at/en/home/

Pitztal

Alpenhof 3***

www.alpenhof-pitztal.com/

Ötztal

Hotel Viktoria 3***

www.viktoria-soelden.at/en/

Passeiertal

Tirolerhof 3***

www.hoteltirolerhof.it/en/

Meran

Hotel Flora & Suites 3***

www.hotelsmerano.it/de/hotel-flora-meran/

 

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