Hiking from Munich to Venice

1st Tour: From Munich to Garmisch

Setting off through southern Germany

...only 511 kilometers to Venice

Early in the morning, full of energy and with a great deal of respect for what lies ahead, I begin my big hiking adventure at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. I follow the Isar River upstream, and after only a short while, I spot a sign hanging from a bridge: “Only 511 kilometers to Venice” and that’s exactly where I’m heading! The weather is beautiful as I slowly leave the city of Munich behind. Following the Way of St. James, I continue along well-marked trails toward Schäftlarn, while the sun beats down relentlessly. After passing Schäftlarn Abbey, a gentle climb takes me toward Ebenhausen, my first destination of the journey. But my first day of hiking ends with two large, painful blisters, one on each foot.

The heat, my lightweight hiking shoes and, of all things, these particular socks probably weren’t the best combination. My thoughts go back and forth between giving up and carrying on. How can I solve this problem? The first day is done, and I have no idea yet what the remaining 27 days will bring. The second day of my hike begins in Starnberg, this time wearing my second pair of hiking boots and with Bernried as my destination. The trail leads through the Maisinger Gorge to Lake Maising and eventually back to the shores of Lake Starnberg. From there, I continue along shady, varied hiking trails through a beautiful nature reserve beside the lake until I reach Bernried.

The Fascination of Lake Kochel

A train ride takes me to Kochel am See. From there, I hike up to a waterfall that makes me forget all the challenges of the past few days. It’s a place to pause and take it all in, and one I will probably never forget. Beautiful forest trails following the stream lead me back to the lake. After a good breakfast, I hike around Lake Kochel. The trail is more challenging in places, with several ups and downs and some steep terrain, but I’m rewarded with wonderful views of the lake. In the afternoon, a small boat takes me back to Kochel. Slowly, I begin to realize that something inside me is changing. With each day of this hiking journey, both the day’s destination and the final destination become less and less important. My first major climb up Mount Herzogstand lies ahead. I’m looking forward to following the trail that King Ludwig once took to reach the mountain. As I steadily make my way uphill, I can feel the effort in my thighs. But surrounded by this beautiful landscape, the little aches, pains, and worries quickly fade away.

View of Kochelsee lake with calm turquoise water, framed by green leaves. Mountains and shoreline visible in the distance under a blue sky.

With Courage & Confidence Toward Garmisch

Today, I’m looking forward to the hike up to Mount Wank, because Garmisch lies on the other side, where my first week of hiking will come to an end. I continue across wet meadows and through the Finzbach Gorge. The steps and footbridges are slippery, and in places the trail is very steep and overgrown. When I see the gorge beside me, I start to feel a little anxious. At what has been my biggest challenge so far, I suddenly spot a small, hand-painted stone bearing the words: “Fear begins in the mind, but so does courage!” How true. With each passing day, I feel a growing sense of peace and inner calm, allowing me to truly appreciate every moment. After a rest day in Garmisch, some friends join me for a few days. Together, we hike through the Partnach Gorge, up to Wamberg and past Elmau Castle, Lake Ferchen and Lake Lautersee before reaching Mittenwald. The impressive mountain scenery gives me a first taste of what’s still to come.

Green meadow with wooden hut in Wamberg, surrounded by forest and mountains under blue sky on the Munich to Venice hiking route.

2nd Tour: From Garmisch to Merano

Crossing the Alps into Italy

Together through the Tyrolean Mountains

After a week of traveling alone with only myself for company, I realize that this time has changed me. My journey now requires some adjustment, as I’m no longer walking alone. Being considerate of each other as a team is important. In glorious weather, we climb up to the Geisterklamm gorge and make our way through it on metal walkways high above the ground. It’s a truly unique experience, and definitely one for those with a head for heights. We continue up to the Grünkopf, where an impressive panorama awaits us at the summit cross. Following steep paths, we descend into the Leutasch Valley and continue to Leutasch, where heavy rain sets in. The next morning, it is still raining. We make sure everything is waterproof and begin our hike to Telfs. Through the forest and across slippery wooden walkways, we cross a high moor before making our way through a narrow gorge with rugged, steep cliffs toward Telfs. From there, a transfer takes us to Nauders. With beautiful mountain weather, we take the chairlift up to the Mutzkopf. Passing the Black Lake and Green Lake, we continue to the tripoint marking the border between three countries. The view across all three countries quickly restores our energy. Finally, we reach Lake Reschen.

The next morning, the Schöneben cable car takes us back up to the high-altitude trail. We are blessed with picture-perfect weather as we hike through fragrant Swiss pine forests to the Haideralm. The views of Lake Reschen and the alpine landscape are indescribable. A local farmer shows us a small lake, where we cool off with a refreshing swim. We continue via the Bruggeralm to Burgeis and finally to Naturns, our last stop before Merano. This day surrounded by magnificent nature, with an eagle soaring above us, remains an unforgettable experience for me. Well rested and excited to reach Merano, we set off the next day along the Waalweg trail, passing vineyards and apple orchards along the way. A violent thunderstorm with heavy rain catches up with us. Time for a break and some cake in the shelter of an inn. Afterwards, a warm, stormy wind accompanies us all the way to Merano’s Cathedral Square. I can hardly believe that I’ve already been on the road for 14 days and am now standing in Merano! At the end of each of my four weeks of hiking, I treat myself to a day off from walking and some well-deserved downtime.

Hiker in blue shirt standing at rocky summit with wooden cross on Haideralm trail, overlooking mountain ranges and valleys under blue sky.

Panoramic view of Reschensee lake nestled in an Alpine valley, surrounded by forested mountain slopes and distant peaks under a blue sky.

Aerial view of Reschensee and Haidersee lakes surrounded by mountains. A village nestles between the lakes with green meadows and forests.

3rd Tour: From Merano to Lake Garda

Through the stunning mountain scenery of the Dolomites

After a week of traveling alone, with no one but myself for company, I realize that this time has changed me. Today and over the next few days, my journey feels very different. I am no longer walking alone, and now we have to look out for one another as a team. In beautiful weather, we climb up to the Geisterklamm gorge and make our way along metal walkways high above the gorge. It is a truly special experience, especially if you have a head for heights. From there, we continue up to Grünkopf. The panorama from the summit cross is impressive. We hike down partly steep trails into the Leutasch Valley and continue to Leutasch, where dark clouds gather and heavy rain sets in. The next morning, it is still raining. We make sure everything is waterproof and begin our hike to Telfs. Through the forest and across slippery wooden walkways, we make our way through a high moor and up to Buchner Höhe. The rain stops, and we descend toward Telfs through a narrow gorge with rugged, steep rock walls. In Telfs, one of my companions heads back to Garmisch. A bus transfer takes us to Nauders, where we spend the next night. With glorious mountain weather the following day, we take the chairlift up to Mutzkopf. The trail leads past the Schwarzer See and Grüner See, where the surrounding mountains are reflected in the water, before climbing steeply to the Dreiländergrenzstein, the border marker where three countries meet.

The views across all three countries quickly help us forget how tired we are. We then follow the high-altitude trail down to Lake Reschen and continue to Reschen. The next morning, the Schöneben cable car takes us back up to the high-altitude trail. We are treated to picture-perfect weather as we hike through fragrant Swiss stone pine forests to Haideralm. With such clear skies, the views of Lake Reschen and the surrounding alpine landscape are simply indescribable. A local farmer shows us a small lake that invites us to take a refreshing swim. We continue via Bruggeralm to Burgeis and finally travel by bus and train to Naturns, our last stop before Merano. This day surrounded by the power of nature, with an eagle soaring above us, is an experience I will never forget. Well rested and excited to reach Merano, we set off on our hike. The trail takes us steadily up and down through vineyards and apple orchards as we follow the Waalweg toward Merano. A powerful thunderstorm catches up with us, bringing torrential rain. It is the perfect time to take a break and enjoy some cake in the shelter of an inn. An hour later, the rain has passed, and only a warm, strong wind accompanies us the rest of the way to Merano Cathedral Square. I can hardly believe that I have already been on the road for 14 days and am now standing here in Merano! At the end of each of my four weeks of hiking, I treat myself to a day off from hiking and some well-deserved time to relax.

Hiker with backpack and camera standing on rocks before a waterfall cascading into a pool, surrounded by moss-covered rock walls.

4th Tour: From Lake Garda to Venice

The Best of Veneto, All the Way to the Sea

Through the Mountains Around Pietramurata

Today, I am picked up and a transfer takes me to Ceniga. From there, I continue on foot to Pietramurata. At first, the trail leads through vineyards, followed by more challenging paths through the rocky landscape of the Marroche with its dinosaur footprints. Lake Cavedine accompanies me for part of the way. Being alone in this beautiful landscape and enjoying the peaceful surroundings give me strength for this demanding day of hiking. After a short bus ride, I set off again in Vigolo Baselga. Sunshine, the scent of flowers, and countless butterflies accompany me down to Lake Terlago and onward into the Paganella Mountains. For hours, I hike alone through forests and across rugged karst plateaus. Passing old fortifications, I follow partly steep trails with impressive views down into the Adige Valley as I descend toward Vela. By the time I arrive, I feel the exhaustion of the day’s hike for the first time. Following the Adige River, I finally reach Trento. Here, the unmistakable Italian atmosphere can be felt in all its glory.

Apple orchards with protective netting in Pietramurata, backed by dramatic limestone cliffs and mountains under a blue sky with white clouds.

Natural Gem: Lago di Levico

Today, a bus takes me out of the city to Pergine Valsugana, the starting point of my next stage. From this romantic mountain town, I make my way up to the castle and continue along historic roads with magnificent panoramic views to the ancient Roman road, the Via Claudia Augusta. Above Lake Caldonazzo, I hike along shady forest trails toward Lake Levico and finally follow the lakeshore to the spa town of Levico. Time for a break by the water. This morning, I decide to walk to Barco on the other side of the valley. Mountain roads and hiking trails lead me back up into the mountains of Veneto. Ibexes, impressive works of art, waterfalls, and alpine pastures accompany and delight me on my way to Rifugio Cipriani. More and more often, I come across signs explaining what to do if you encounter a bear. So I start singing, talking, and whistling as I walk... maybe it helps.

Through a gorge and along wide trails, I finally reach Borgo Valsugana, where a wonderful place to stay awaits me. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, a transfer takes me through the Brenta Valley to the start of my next stage. I hike along the steep Alta Via del Tabacco through shady forests and on narrow trails toward Bassano del Grappa. After the descent, I reach the Brenta River again and finally the Ponte Vecchio. A tasting awaits me at the Poli Grappa Museum. It’s a fantastic museum, but after just one grappa, my legs already feel a little unsteady... Just one more night!

View of Lago di Levico framed by green tree branches, with calm blue water reflecting mountains and clouds. Distant shoreline and peaks visible.

Grande Finale in Venice

Today, the final stage of my hiking journey begins in Casier near Treviso. A transfer takes me there, skipping the sections that are less suitable for hiking. From here, I follow the Sile River along a route also used by cyclists traveling from Munich to Venice, which can make things a little hectic at times. To finish my great hiking adventure, I enjoy one final beautiful stretch along the river, with wooden bridges and plenty of local nature. From Quarto d’Altino, I take the train for the final part of the journey to Mestre/Venice.

After so many days and so many different experiences, arriving in Venice is a very emotional moment for me. The time I have spent on my own and surrounded by nature has changed me. It has given me a new sense of joy in life and, above all, a great deal of self-confidence. It has also given me the strength to overcome many fears and difficult days. With every day I spent alone in nature, one thing became clearer: The path becomes your own ... and the destination is no longer what matters. Thank you so much for all your support along this journey that has meant so much to me. I’m already looking forward to my next tour with you as a team!

Walter Mirz with raised arms celebrating in Venice with gondolas and San Giorgio Maggiore church in the background.