Munich to Venice: Guided Journey Across the Alps

Morning group meeting and orientation in Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria in Germany. The meeting will be at a hotel located near the main train station in the city center. This makes it logistically easy to reach the train station for our departure to Füssen, which is a 130km/80mi train ride (2.5 hours) from Munich, then a short bus (10 min) to Hohenschwangau. Today you arrive to the romantic fairytale world of King Louis II (King Ludwig) of Bavaria. Once arriving to the hotel, we’ll drop our bags off to be stored before heading to lunch. The hotel is located at the foot of 2 iconic Bavarian castles, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau (former summer residence of the Bavarian royal family). The afternoon is set aside to visit the castles and 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.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Hohenschwangau; half-board.

Leaving directly from the hotel, you have a leisurely start to the day as you walk to the Tegelberg cable car (2.4km/1.5mi). After a scenic ride up (included), we’ll start an extraordinary hike through the Bavarian Ammergau massif. 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. We end our day hiking through a forest until we reach the Kenzenhütte where we can enjoy a drink. A private transfer (40 min, included) will take us back to our hotel.

About 4 to 4.5 hours of walking, 12.7km/7.9mi, +525m/1715ft, -930m/3055ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Hohenschwangau; half-board.

A private transfer (40 min, included) takes us back to Kenzenhütte. Today we ascend to the Lösertaljoch (1682m/5518ft) 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 (30 min, included) to the village of Ettal, and its superb Benedictine monastery after your hike and visit to the Linderhof castle (included). 

About 4 hours of walking, 11.8km/7.3mi, +390m/1275ft, -745m/2450ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Ettal; half-board.

*Days 2-3 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, 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”. 

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 19km/11.8mi, +500m/1875ft, -300m/985ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Mittenwald; half-board or dinner in town. 

Private transfer to Puitbach (20 min, included), in the Leutasch valley. We cross the border from Germany to Austria during the transfer. Today we walk up the Puittal all the way to the Scharnitzjoch pass, (2048m/6719ft). The open nature of the high alpine pastures walked through on this trail allow for fantastic views over of the Austrian Tyrolean mountains. On the way, you’ll pass two mountain huts, Wangalm and Wettersteinhütte, which are great spots to stop for a break and enjoy the beautiful scenery from their balconies. We descend toward Leutasch Klamm and meet a private transfer (40 min, included) to go to our hotel for 2 nights in the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck. 

About 6 hours of walking, 12km/7.5mi, +950m/3115ft, -900m/2955ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Innsbruck; half-board.

Free day to explore how you choose, do laundry, relax or join the guide for an optional* cable car ride and short hike in the morning. You will have enough time in the afternoon 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.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Innsbruck; Lunch & Dinner free in town (not included).

*Optional half-day: In the morning we can hike the summit and ridges lines near the Hafelekarspitze (weather depending), we walk from our hotel to the start of the Seegrubenbahn and Hafelekarbahn cable car lines (not included). Your guide will hike with you from the top of the Hafelekarbahn to the summit of the Hafelekarspitze and then farther down the ridge before heading down to the top of the Seegrubenbahn cabel car. The views from here are outstanding and lunch (not included) can be enjoyed at the cable car station before heading back to town and a free afternoon.

About 1.5 hours of walking, ~3.2km/2mi, +75m/250ft, -440m/1440ft. Daypack to carry. 

After breakfast a private transfer (2 hours, included) takes us through the valley of Zillertal via Mayrhoffen and Gerlos to the beautiful waterfalls of Krimml, the highest in Europe (more than 400m/1315ft). After lunch we will hike along the impressive waterfalls in the spectacular KrimmIer Achental Valley and reach the alpine massif that separates the Austrian Tyrol from the former Southern Tyrol, now Italy. We end our walk at the Krimmler Tauernhaus, our charming mountain lodge home for the next 2 nights!

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

Overnight in a mountain lodge (Krimmler Tauernhaus), in a private room (shared or private bathrooms); half-board.

Today we will start hiking up behind the lodge to climb out of the valley. Our views get better and better as we start across a balcony that leads us to the spectacular Rainbach lake. From the lake we’ll continue climbing up to the rocky Rainbachscharte pass (2724m/8937ft). From here we are rewarded with sweeping views of the Hohe Taurn National Park, lower and upper Gerloss lakes, and ridgeline after ridgeline of spectacular Alpine scenery. After soaking in the view well head back down to our mountain lodge.

About 6 hours of walking, 12.7km/7.9mi, +/- 1100m/3610ft. Multi-night pack to carry and main luggage waiting at Brunico hotel (Day 9) upon arrival.

Overnight in a mountain lodge (Krimmler Tauernhaus), in a private room (shared or private bathrooms); half-board.

Today we cross into Italy via the Krimmlertauern pass (or Birnlücke pass depending on weather and trail conditions) 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. Private transfer (50 min, included) to Brunico. 

Krimmler Tauern Pass: About 6.5 hours of walking, 18.3km/11.4mi, +1015m/3330ft, -1040m/3410ft. Multi-night pack to carry and main luggage waiting at Brunico hotel (Day 9) upon arrival. 

Birnlücke Pass: About 7 hours of walking, 19.2km/11.9mi, +1052m/3450ft, -1070m/3510ft. Multi-night pack to carry and main luggage waiting at Brunico hotel (Day 9) upon arrival. 

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Brunico; half-board. 

Today we take a public bus to the trail head (1 hour 10 min, included). Welcome to the Italian Dolomites! Today’s hike will start at the Pederu mountain hut. You will hike past the Fodara hut, Sennes hut and over the Riciogonogn pass. You will enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites along the Sennes 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.

Overnight in hotel at Lago di Braies, in private simple hiker rooms (shared bathrooms); half-board.

We start hiking direct from our hotel beside Lago di Braies. From this stunning iconic lake, you hike up towards the Croda del Becco pass, crossing through scenic alpine pastures before going around the towering 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, included) will take you down to Ponticello. It is just a short 5-minute walk from the bus stop to reach our accommodation.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 15km/9.3mi, +940m/3085ft, -350m/1150ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Ponticello; Half-board.

A morning private transfer (45 min, included) from the front of your hotel, takes you to the scenic Tre Cime viewpoint near Lago di Landro. You will start ascending the Rienza Valley climbing all morning towards the world-famous Tre Cime di Laveredo. The second part of your hike will depend on the weather utilizing your guide’s knowledge of the Tre Cime area. A private transfer (included) will meet us at the Auronzo refuge to take us down to our hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 11.3 to 13km/7 to 8.1mi, +1020 to 1100m/3340 to 3615ft, -115 to 200m/375 to 655ft. Daypack to carry.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Cortina; half-board.

Private transfer from Cortina to Venice (2 hours 30 min, included). Arrival in the late morning in the heart of Venice. A water taxi (15 min, included) will deliver the group to our hotel. Luggage storage is available at our hotel. You then have the afternoon free to enjoy, eat lunch (not included) on your own and visit Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The group will meet again for a final celebration dinner together!

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Venice; B&B. Dinner out in town (included).

Departure and end of the tour after breakfast and hotel check-out (~10am). Your guide can help organize airport transfer options depending on your plans and departure flights.