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Alpine meadow in the Passeier Valley with mountain panorama

E5: Mini-Transalp for families

Alpine Crossing from Landeck to Merano

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
180  kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
Alpine meadow in the Passeier Valley with mountain panorama

On the Mini-Transalp, you'll hike through the most beautiful sections of the E5 from Tyrol to Italy. Each day offers new panoramas and distant views, unfamiliar heights, and valleys. Climbing the mountain passes and walking the high trails under your own power will give you a great sense of achievement. From the Inn Valley to the Pitztal, continuing through the Ötztal, ascending high over the Timmelsjoch into the Italian Passeiertal, and then descending to Merano. Wherever possible, you'll follow the original E5 route, but you'll also experience other spectacular hiking sections. You'll encounter historic Roman routes on the Via Claudia Augusta, the powerful forces of nature in the Ötztal at the roaring Ache River, visits to the summer skiing area on the glacier, and cable car rides up high. With such a variety of experiences, you’ll always find something to captivate you. Tyrolean dumplings and Italian pizza taste especially delicious after all that fresh air.

A crossing of the Alps is a very special highlight for hiking enthusiasts - fantastic panoramas, boundless freedom and the joy of having made it at the end. Let our experts advise you on your personalised option!

Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Stephanie Erbschwendtner
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Your crossing of the Alps begins in Landeck, where you can spend your arrival day at the outdoor pool. After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off on a circular tour along the Venet Höhenweg trail, which enchants you with beautiful views from the very start. From the viewing platform “Gacher Blick,” you’ll hike to the bird tower overlooking the Piller Moor and continue into the Pitztal valley. Day four is dedicated to the Ötztal, where you'll explore the beauty around Piburger Lake.

After spending the night in the famous ski resort of Sölden, the route leads to the glacier. You’ll hike along the Rettenbach towards the valley, and for the final ascent, you’ll take the cable car. Day six features a special segment, particularly because you’ll be crossing the border into Italy. Old smuggler trails lead over the Timmelsjoch, offering not only historical insights but also stunning views of the alpine landscapes. You’ll descend steeply into the Passeiertal, but on your last day of hiking, you’ll take the gondola back up to the Hirzer. One last hike takes you through breathtaking rock formations and over blooming alpine meadows before you glide down to Meran on the cable car.

  • Hiking action on the smugglers' trail over the Timmelsjoch: The historic hiking trail was once used by smugglers to transport goods between Northern and Southern Tyrol. Various stations along the way highlight the dangers and challenges the smugglers faced back then. With this history in mind, the hike feels a bit easier as you go!
  • Panoramic hike on the Hirzer: The mountain in the Sarntal Alps rises to 2,781 meters, making it the highest peak in this mountain range. As you hike along its slopes to the Mahdalm, you’ll find that the local specialties taste even better after your trek. Relaxing in a deck chair, you can soak in the breathtaking mountain scenery, making the experience truly unforgettable!
  • Swimming fun at Lake Piburg: The lake in the Ötztal is a true gem, nestled among dense forests that enhance its beauty. But the real thrill comes from taking a dip! As one of the warmest bathing lakes in Tyrol, it invites you to plunge into its refreshing waters without a second thought. Dive in and enjoy the invigorating experience!

On the E5 long-distance hiking trail, you'll encounter breathtaking alpine landscapes and spectacular views. The daily stages are designed for smaller distances, with a maximum length of 12 kilometers. Each day's hike is complemented by bus transfers and cable car rides. When the ascents become too challenging, you can easily hop on public transportation to keep the adventure going without missing a beat!

Itinerary at a glance

Thrilling cable car rides, dramatic gorges, invigorating mountain lakes, and the legendary smuggler’s trail over the Timmelsjoch will captivate young adventurous hikers. As a reward, indulge in South Tyrolean delicacies and mouthwatering Italian gelato at the grand finale in Merano

Spend the afternoon exploring Landeck with a leisurely stroll through the town, a visit to the historic castle, or a refreshing dip at the outdoor pool.

Hotel example: Schotel Schrofenstein

A cable car ride takes you to an altitude of 2,000 meters. The ridge trail over the Venet offers breathtaking 360° panoramas of snow-capped peaks and rugged heights. You’ll summit two of the highest peaks and then relax at a mountain hut amidst grazing cows. A stunning high-altitude path leads you back to the cable car for the descent.

Hotel example: Hotel Schrofenstein

Take the bus to the Kaunergrat Nature Park House, where the spectacular viewing platform "Gacher Blick" entices the daring. From here, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the turquoise-blue Inn River and across to Switzerland. Passing prehistoric cultural sites, you’ll walk through the peat bog to the birdwatching tower, where you can survey the Piller Moor nature reserve from above. Traverse meadows and fields to reach the Pitztal, followed by a short bus ride to Imst.

Hotel example: Hotel Hirschen

The bus will take you from the Inn Valley to the Ötztal. Today, you’ll explore the treasures of Piburger See. After the ascent, you can swim, relax, admire the mountain reflections, and visit the lakeside inn. Enthusiastic hikers can climb up to the Ötzblick platform and explore the wooden walkways spanning the rocky gorge. Descending via the forest trail, you’ll cross the adventurous Weller Bridge and gaze down at the Ötztaler Ache roaring below. During the final bus ride, you’ll experience the full length of the stunning Ötztal.

Hotel example: Hotel Garni Viktoria

After a brief bus ride, embark on a hike to Europe's highest road point, nestled right beneath the glacier. Explore the memorial chapel and marvel at the raw, untamed beauty of the landscape. A lovely trail leads you downhill along the Rettenbach valley, and you’ll take the cable car for the final stretch into the Ötztal. Additionally, you can ride the gondola up to the Gaislachkogel and experience the high-altitude air at over 3,000 meters

Hotel example: Hotel Garni Viktoria

Trek along ancient smuggler’s paths over the Timmelsjoch into Italy. Dreamlike trails lead you through the sunny Timmel Valley to the pass at 2,500 meters. A steep but stunning descent follows, traversing dramatic alpine landscapes and blooming meadows, framed by towering rock walls. You can adjust the length of your tour as desired. Then, take a bus winding through numerous switchbacks into the upper Passeiertal and savor your first evening in Italy. 

Hotel example: Hotel Tirolerhof

Take the gondola up to Klammeben, where a breathtaking high-altitude trail begins, offering panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Directly beneath the Hirzer, the highest mountain in the area, you'll traverse the mountain slopes, passing through alpine rock and meadow vegetation on your way to the Mahdalm. Cowbells and alpine roses accompany you on the return journey through the coniferous forest to the Hirzerhütte. Glide down with the cable car and then take the bus to Merano.

Hotel example: Hotel & Suites Flora

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Mountain Hiking

An exciting mix of varied hikes with durations ranging from 3 to 5 hours. You’ll be traversing partly high-alpine terrain, so hiking experience is required. Sure-footedness and good physical condition are essential. While some sections are alpine in nature, you always have the option to choose a more comfortable valley route or use public transportation to reach your next stage.

Difficulty level

Mountain Hiking

An exciting mix of varied hikes with durations ranging from 3 to 5 hours. You’ll be traversing partly high-alpine terrain, so hiking experience is required. Sure-footedness and good physical condition are essential. While some sections are alpine in nature, you always have the option to choose a more comfortable valley route or use public transportation to reach your next stage.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Sustainably on the go

Offsetting your carbon footprint

180 kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
The total value of all emissions per travel and per person is carefully tracked using the CO2 calculator 'Carmacal,' which was specifically developed for tour operators. The individual components that make up this value are shown in the diagram. The overall impact is contributed to by accommodations, luggage transport, on-site catering, and activities, and it is fully offset through our climate protection projects.
Accommodation (63%)
Meals (18%)
Transport (10%)
Activities (9%)
100%

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in beautiful 3***-hotels and sometimes 4****-hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 ascent and descent by cable car Venet
  • 1 descent by cable car Gaislachkogel
  • 1 ascent and descent by cable Hirzer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

 

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train journey to Oberstdorf and a short bus ride or taxi ride to the hotel.
  • Munich and Innsbruck airport.
  • Parking: Limited number of free hotel parking spaces, public parking garage at the town hall, costs approx. EUR 18 per week.
  • Return journey from Merano to Landeck by train and bus in approx. 3 hours (1x change).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Journeys by public transport to the start of the hike or to the hotel accommodation, costs approx. EUR 40 per person (adult)
  • Glacier bus (incl. toll) in Sölden, costs approx. EUR 17 per person (adult)
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Stephanie Erbschwendtner

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Travel Specialist
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