Hiking Transalp: E5 Oberstdorf - Merano

Take a walk through Oberstdorf or take the cable car up towards Nebelhorn to get a feel for the alpine air before the start.

The adventure begins with an impressive trail through the Sperrbachtobel gorge and continues steadily upward towards Kemptner Hütte. At the Mädelejoch pass, you cross the border into Austria and enjoy a lovely descent towards the Lech Valley. A spectacular and somewhat stomach-churning Tibetan suspension bridge leads you into Holzgau, where you can admire the village's colorfully painted houses and celebrate with something refreshing while your legs recover after the first day of hiking.

You hike along remote alpine paths into the heart of the Lechtal Alps. The destination is Leutkircher Hütte, a classic mountain hut where you can take a well-deserved break and exchange stories with other alpine enthusiasts. Then comes the descent towards the well-known alpine and ski resort St. Anton am Arlberg.

A short train ride takes you to Landeck, from where you continue by cable car to 2,000 meters altitude. Here begins an unforgettable ridge hike across the Venet massif with 360° panoramic views over snow-covered peaks and jagged mountain ridges. You climb two summits before the trail takes you through shady forests and blooming alpine meadows down towards Pitztal.

After a short bus ride, you hike along a panoramic trail up towards Braunschweiger Hütte. From here you continue to the journey's highest point Pitztaler Jöchl, just shy of 3,000 meters above sea level. A fine path takes you down through the Rettenbach valley, and the final elevation meters into Ötztal are covered by bus or cable car.

An alternative and slightly easier route goes through the Pitzenklamm gorge along the Luis Trenker trail, continuing to Piburger See and over Wallner Brücke along the mighty Ötztaler Ache. You decide for yourself based on mood and daily condition.

You follow old smugglers' paths via Timmelsjoch and cross the border into Italy. The trail takes you through the sunny Timmelstaldalen up to a pass at 2,500 meters above sea level. Then you hike through blooming alpine meadows, dramatic mountain sides and further down into upper Passeiertal. An evening with South Tyrolean hospitality awaits, and surely the espresso tastes a bit better on this side of the border?

You follow in the footsteps of freedom fighter Andreas Hofer up to Pfandleralm. From there you continue through forest trails towards Riffel, where a spectacular high-altitude path takes over – the views feel endless and it's hard to know where to look. After a break at Hirzerhütte, you take the cable car down into the valley and bus onwards to Merano. Here you're met by South Tyrol's special atmosphere that is both unmistakably Austrian and Italian at the same time. Feel free to celebrate the Alpine crossing with a delicious dinner accompanied by the region's elegant wines.

Choose between going home or staying a few extra days in Merano's elegant spa town with surroundings.