Munich to Venice: A journey Across the Alps

Arrival to Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria in Germany. Your hotel will be located near the main train station in the city center. This makes it logistically easy to reach from the airport and depart on day 2 from the train station. It also puts you in a perfect location to explore Munich’s cultural sites. Today is mainly set aside to rest from your travels and discover Munich.

Departure to Füssen after breakfast, which is 130km/80mi away train ride (2h30min, not included) from Munich, then a short bus (10 min, not included) to Hohenschwangau. Today you arrive to the romantic fairytale world of King Louis II (King Ludwig) of Bavaria. Once arriving to the hotel, you may check-In (available after ~3pm) or drop your bags to be stored if arriving before check-in is available. The hotel is located at the foot of 2 iconic Bavarian castles, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau (former summer residence of the Bavarian royal family). Drop your bags if arriving earlier than 3pm. The afternoon is set aside to visit the castles and/or take a first walk to the nearby lakes Schwansee, Alpsee and Hohenschwangau.

About 3 hours of walking, 6km/3.7mi, +160m/525ft, -160m/525ft. Daypack to carry.

Leaving directly from the hotel, you climb towards Neuschwanstein Castle passing over the famous Marienbrücke. You continue walking up to the Bleckenau hut. An extraordinary hike through the Bavarian Ammergau massif awaits you next and with a bit of luck you might get to see groups of chamois among the incredible rocky landscapes. This wild mountain range will leave you speechless with its incredible ridge lines and limestone needles standing tall above the lush green forests below.

About 7 hours of walking, 17.4 km/10.8mi, +1120m/3675ft, -685m/2247ft. Daypack to carry.

Today you ascend to the Lösertaljoch (1682m/5518ft) then to the Scheinbergjoch (1764m/5787ft, optional, depending on the weather) where you may see chamois frolic in the alpine pastures. From this pass you have a stunning view over the entire Linderhof Valley towards Ettal. Descend through the heart of the Ammergau to the Linderhof castle, a small “Versailles” with a Moorish pavilion and the infamous cave of Louis II. Transfer by bus (not included) to the village of Ettal, and its superb Benedictine monastery after your hike and optional visit to the castle.

About 6 hours of walking, 15km/9.3mi, +500m/1640ft, -850m/2789ft. Daypack to carry. (about 4 to 5 hours of walking, 11km/6.8mi, skipping the ascent to Scheinbergjoch)

*Days 2-4 will provide an insight into the history of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The “Fairy-tale King” was a poet, friend and fan of the German composer Richard Wagner, a lover of architecture, culture and nature, but also a recluse. He loved to explore the paths of this region that we still enjoy today, and his story and homes are fascinating.

You will leave Ettal by bus (20 min, not included) and arrive in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, an Olympic city which lies at the base of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2950m/9678ft), a huge massif on the border with Tyrol/Austria. Pass through the spectacular Partnach Gorge, then toward the towering Wettersteinwand to Elmau. You continue past the Ferchensee and Lautersee lakes to descend through another beautiful gorge to the iconic Alpine village of Mittenwald. This traditional village is well known for its houses with remarkable murals known locally as “Lüftlmalerei”. 

Garmisch to Mittenwald: about 5 to 6 hours of walking, 19km/11.8mi, +500m/1875ft, -300m/984ft. Daypack to carry.

Shorter Hike Option: Garmisch to Partnach Gorge (roundtrip): about 3 hours of walking, 8.7km/5.4mi, +305m/1000ft, -283m/930ft. Daypack to carry. Private transfer (not included) from Garmisch to Mittenwald.

Today you take the train (10-15 min, not included) to the start of the hike, which lies at the foot of the Karwendel Mountains (Tyrol), a mountain range on the German/Austrian border and National Park. 

You have the choice of two hiking options:  

Hike Option #1: You first walk through a forest of pines and larches as you hike up through the Giessenbach Valley and reach the Eppizirl Alpage (1459m/4787ft), a great place to buy local cheese and yoghurts depending on the season. The hike continues, crossing the Eppzirlscharte pass (2072m/6798ft). As you reach the pass, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Karwendel massif, you have the chance to see chamois. The descent to the idyllic mountain setting of Solsteinhaus refuge takes you through stunning alpine meadows.  

Via the Eppzirlscharte pass, about 5 hours of walking, 14km/8.7mi, +1100m/3609ft, -360m/1181ft. Overnight pack to carry.

Hike Option #2: From Scharnitz, the walk is flatter and cooler than option #1, as you are following gorges most of the way. The walk begins along the Isar Gorge. You continue through the Gleirscklam gorge, sometimes on wooden footbridges, which are very well laid out and add extra charm to the walk. As you climb towards the Solsteinhaus refuge, the landscape changes to beautiful Alpine meadows. 

Via the gorges, about 6 hours of walking, 17km/10.6mi, +1000m/ft, -185m/ft. Overnight pack to carry.

Descend to Hochrzirl in the scenic Inn Valley where you will take the train to Innsbruck (25 min, not included). You will have enough time to visit the old town district of Innsbruck, which is particularly charming. Do not miss visiting the Helbling House, Goldenes Dachl, the St. James Cathedral and the Hofkirche with the tomb of Maximilian I. Don’t forget to try the famously iconic local dessert, Apfelstrudel, paired with a coffee on a sunny terrace.

About 3 hours of walking, 7km/4.4mi, -940m/3084ft. Overnight pack to carry and main luggage is waiting in Innsbruck at hotel upon arrival.

Transfer in the morning by train (not included) to the spectacular Krimml Waterfalls, which are among the highest (400m/1312ft) in the Alps. The train passes by Zell am See. Although this train ride takes up most of the morning, it is an incredible trip through breath-taking landscapes on a relaxing & comfortable Austrian train!

You approach the Alpine massif that separates Austrian Tyrol from the former “South Tyrol”, now part of Italy. Hike up along the impressive waterfalls in the spectacular KrimmIer Achental Valley to the Krimmler Tauernhaus refuge. 

About 4 hours of walking, 11km/6.8mi, +600m/1970ft, -50m/165ft. Overnight pack to carry.
 

Today you cross into Italy via the Krimmlertauern pass (or Birnlücke pass) right in the heart of the Austrian Alps and in between the Zillertal and the Großer Venediger. Although the pass is quite narrow it is one of the easiest passages to cross the Alps. You walk along the Venediger mountain range along the Krimmler, Prettau and Lahner glaciers. The views of the Großer Geiger (3360m/11024ft), the Gammsspitzl (2888m/9475ft) and the Venediger (3667m/12031ft) will take your breath away. You will follow part of the Laiutitzerweg to introduce you to South Tyrol and then descend to Kasern/Prettau. Bus to Bruneck (1.5 hours). 

Krimmler Tauern Pass: About 6.5 hours of walking, 18.3km/11.4mi, +1015m/3330ft, -1040m/3410ft. Overnight pack to carry and main luggage waiting at Bruneck hotel upon arrival. 

Birnlücke Pass: About 7 hours of walking, 19.2km/11.9mi, +1052m/3450ft, -1070m/3510ft. Overnight pack to carry and main luggage waiting at Bruneck hotel upon arrival. 

Bus to the trail head (1 hour 10 min, not included). Welcome to the Italian Dolomites! Today’s hike will start at the Pederu mountain hut. You will hike past the Fodara hut, Senes hut and over the Riciogonogn pass. You will enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites along the Senes plateau before descending to the famed Lago di Braies, set spectacularly in the middle of a natural cirque.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 13.5km/8.4mi, +800m/2625ft, -850m/2789ft. Daypack to carry.

From the hotel at Lago di Braies, you hike up towards the Croda del Becco pass, crossing through scenic alpine pastures before going around the Croda Rossa and joining the alpine pastures of Prato Piazza. The views here over the red tinted Croda Rossa creates a stunning contrast to the green pastures of this magnificent high plateau. A public bus (15 min, not included) will take you down to your hotel in Brueckele.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 15km/9.3mi, +940m/3084ft, -350m/1148ft. Daypack to carry.

Today a great hike through the Tre Cime de Lavaredo awaits you! A bus (15 min, not included) from the front of your hotel, takes you back to Prato Piazza. You will start hiking from a scenic rolling valley passing by the Strudelsattel (2200m/7218ft) before going down towards the Valle di Landro. You will then ascend the Rienza Valley towards the Tre Cime. The end of the hike goes through the Rin Bianco Valley to reach the end of the hike at Lake Misurina.

About 6 to 7 hours of walking, 18km/11.2mi, +760m/2493ft, -980m/3215ft. 

It is possible to shorten the hike by stopping at the hotel Drei Zinnen near Lago di Landro and taking a public bus to Lake Misurina (about 3 hours of walking, 8.2km/5.1mi, +280m/920ft, -860m/2822ft). Daypack to carry.

Short transfer by public bus to the rifugio Auronzo (15 min, not included). A mythical stretch in the middle of rocky towers and peaks. Start hiking over the Lavaredo pass, underneath the Tre Cime. Tour of Mt Paterno and Croda Passaporto, crossing near the lakes of Cengia and the Pian pass of Cengia surrounded by dolomitic peaks. Afterwards return to the Antorno (or Auronzo) refuge by passing by the northern faces of the Tre Cime, underneath the Zinnenkopf and over the Medo Pass. You take the bus (not included) back to Misurina lake and the hotel.

For today’s loop hike you may choose between two routes with different lengths:

Shorter Hike Option: About 3.5 to 4 hours of walking, 10km/6.2mi, +400m/1312ft, -390m/1280ft. Daypack to carry.

Longer Hike Option: About 5.5 to 6 hours of walking, 14.5km/9mi, +670m/2198ft, -700m/2297ft. Daypack to carry.

Private transfer from lake Misurina to Venice (2 hours 30 min, included). Arrival in the late morning in the heart of Venice. Check-In available after ~3pm at the hotel in the city centre. Luggage storage is available at the hotel.You then have the afternoon free to enjoy and visit Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Departure and end of the tour after breakfast and hotel check-out (~10am).