Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Meran
Spend 8 days walking on the Alpine Crossing Route from Germany to Italy
Lifetime Deposit
Self-Guided
Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Meran Overview
Eight days full of unforgettable mountain adventures - that's what our mountain hiking tour from Garmisch to Meran guarantees. On foot you will discover wonderful hiking trails between Bavaria, Tyrol and South Tyrol. The routes lead past traditional alpine huts, tranquil mountain landscapes, as well as impressive gorges and high areas. The enjoyment of these three countries will also win you over, and there will certainly be time to taste the Bavarian, Austrian and South Tyrolean cuisine.
You start your cross-border hiking tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. After a leisurely exploration of the town and a typical Bavarian meal, you will hike on the first day through the impressive Partnachklamm, over the Wamberg to the Elmauer Alm and finally to the day’s stage destination in Mittenwald. On the following day, the route takes you across the state border into the wonderful mountain world of Tyrol.
After a restful night in Leutasch, on the fourth day you hike through quiet forests to the Buchener Höhe and down into the Inntal valley. After this stage, an organized transfer from Telfs takes you to Nauders, where you will spend the night. A cable car ride to the Mutzkopf marks the beginning of your fifth hiking day. Today's tour takes you to the three-country border stone of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. The tour continues to the picturesque Reschen Lake with the sunken church in South Tyrol. The last two days of hiking have plenty of nature and culinary delights in store for you. The route leads on foot along varied hiking and irrigation channels from Reschen to Naturns and on the last day to the spa town of Meran.
Important note: This tour is part of the Alpine Crossing series, that can be combined into a 29-day trek from Munich to Venice. Check out other parts of the trek:
Alpine Crossing 1: Munich to Garmish
Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda
Alpine Crossing 4: Lake Garda to Venice
For more context on how this cross-border stage fits into the full Munich-to-Venice route, read our Alpine Crossing guide.
Trip highlights
Enjoy walking this Alpine Crossing stage from Garmish to Meran
Spend time in the beautiful Sisi city of Meran in Italy
Visit three countries in one tour: From Germany to Austria and Italy
Enjoy the local cuisine of three alpine countries along your route
Day By Day Itinerary
The famous Olympic town Garmisch-Partenkirchen beckons you to explore. Discover the beautiful pedestrian zone, the traditionally painted houses and cozy beer gardens.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
Walk past the renowned ski-jumping hill and through the imposing Partnachklamm-ravine, where a roaring mass of water has dug deep into the rock. Via Mount Wamberg you walk to the Elmauer Alp and continue through blooming meadows and valleys to Lake Lauter- and Lake Ferchensee. You stay overnight in Mittenwald, renowned for violin making and ‚Lüftlmalerei‘ (a kind of trompe l’oeil on houses).
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Mittenwald
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 21 km, 680 m of ascent, 490 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you leave Bavaria and head for the Tyrolean mountain world! The Geisterklamm-ravine situated high above a gorge awaits for you to walk through it on bridges and footbridges. After that you hike through a splendid high mountain valley, which is also the location of the popular holiday destination Leutasch, surrounded by mountain chains.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Leutasch
- Distance:
- 4 hours, 14 km, 380 m of ascent, 180 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Remote hill moor areas and forests lead you to the crossover onto the ‘Buchner Höhe‘. Past walls of rock of the ‘Hohen Munde‘ along a beautiful hiking trail downhill into the green Inn-river valley. From the historic market town Telfs an organized transfer will take you to the Tyrolean Oberland to Nauders am Reschenpass.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Nauders
- Distance:
- 4.5 hours, 14 km, 170 m of ascent, 660 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You can reach the Mutzkopf by cable car, where you start your hike to Lake Schwarzsee and Lake Grünsee. You ascend as far as the three-nation border stone, where you get to stand exactly on the border between Italy, Austria and Switzerland. You descend via alps to the giant Lake Reschensee, with your same-named Day Finish Reschensee. Welcome to Italy!
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Reschen
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 14 km, 550 m of ascent, 820 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Short bus journey along Lake Reschensee with a view onto the sunken church of Graun to the trailhead. A hike in the nature reserve at Lake Haidersee takes you to the idyllic Fischgadermoos and across the mountain lake down to the alpine dairy village of Burgeis. Continue along varied meadow and irrigation channel paths to Sluderno, then take the train through vineyards and apple orchards to Naturno, the gateway to the impressive Texel Group.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Naturns or Surrounding
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 18 km, 240 m of ascent, 780 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You walk along a panorama-trail with great views all the way to the streams of the ‘Sagenweg‘-path. Along the many Waalweg-paths traditional wine taverns invite you again and again to have a break. In the afternoon you reach the ‘Tappeiner Promenade‘, whose exotic floral splendor you follow as far as the cathedral square of Meran. Now you have reached the end destination of your impressive hiking week and get to toast to your experiences in the pretty centre of Meran.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Meran
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 19 km, 640 m of ascent, 860 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Departure your accommodation after the breakfast.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 7 breakfasts are included.
- Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
- Luggage transfers are included on this tour. 1 transfer from Telfs to Nauders, 1 cable car ascent to Mutzkopf is also included.
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Detailed Digital travel information documents
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- Service hotline
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Tourist tax
- Transfers not mentioned as ‘included’.
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Return transfer
- Printed Route Book
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. Good stamina and a good basic fitness level are required for the daily hikes of up to a maximum of 5 hours walking time. Daily routes run along well-maintained and most of all diverse mountain paths, where in parts surefootedness is required. Sometimes routes can be cut short by public transport.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
All tour information will be provided in English. German tour package is available as well.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover trekking. Get your travel insurance.
You can get to Garmisch-Partenkirchento by train from most of the major Austrian cities. Munich or Innsbruck airports are the closest.
The tour ends in Merano.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Why book Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Meran with 10 Adventures?
Self-guided Specialists
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of the logistics are taken care of.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
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