Read our travel diary from the amazing E5 here!

General advice and tips

Flight to Munich and return from Verona

Pack the right equipment: Remember to bring good rainwear, reliable walking poles, light hiking boots and sturdy mountain footwear. Having the right gear will contribute to a more enjoyable experience.
Keep up to date on the weather: Always ask at the hotel or other hikers about the weather forecast for the next day. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, so it's important to be prepared and feel safe.
Explore alternative routes: If the weather turns bad, you should choose alternative routes. There may be other trails or roads that are safer to follow when conditions are unfavourable.
Have plenty of snacks: Take enough snacks and plenty of water with you for the trip. This will help keep your energy levels up along the way. Also remember to take out cash to cover lunch, coffee, beer, etc. The mountain huts and buses do not accept card payments.
Plan your time well: Arrive early in the morning so you have plenty of time to enjoy your trip. Check bus timetables in advance to avoid long waits.

With these tips, you'll be well prepared and able to enjoy your trip to the fullest!

Arrival (day 1)

Arriving at Munich Airport was the start of an exciting journey. After arrival, I chose to take the train to Oberstdorf, which took about 3.5 hours with two stops in between. It's a good idea to bring some food and drinks, as the trains were quite short and I had to run a bit to catch them. After the train journey, I walked from the train station to the hotel, a short 10-minute walk.

The hotel I stayed at was the charming Wittelsbacher Hof Hotel. After checking in, I treated myself to a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool. Next, I decided to explore the area, choosing a bike from the hotel's offer. A short 3-minute bike ride down to the city centre gave me a great opportunity to soak up the sun.

While cycling to the city centre, I really enjoyed the lovely weather. However, the vagaries of nature showed themselves when I decided to cycle back to the hotel. The pouring rain surprised me and reminded me how quickly the weather can change in the mountains.

First stage

First part of the trip: I started by taking the bus from Oberstdorf to Spielmannsau, a short 30-minute journey that cost 5 euros. This stage took me through the majestic Allgäu Alps, where I followed the trails up through the Sperrbach gorge and to the Kemptner Hut. The 8.6 kilometre hike took me about 2.5 hours. The scenery was impressive and the trails were in good condition, although some of the passages were narrow. Despite this, I never felt unsafe. The use of my poles proved to be wise, especially after the night's heavy rain that had made some sections muddy and slippery. After having lunch at Kemptner Hut, I began the next part of my journey that would take me into Austria.

The second part of the trip: This part of the trip continued to impress with its well-maintained trails. One of the highlights was crossing a suspension bridge, an experience that was a little scary, but at the same time rewarded me with an amazing view. After this adventure, I took a well-deserved break in the charming town of Holzgau, where I enjoyed a refreshing beer. Then I took the bus to the hotel, Hotel Styrolerhof. It might be a good idea to consult the driver about the right bus stop, as I found myself getting off in the wrong place and having to walk for an extra half hour. Despite that little challenge, the experience was well worth it. On arrival at the hotel, I took the opportunity to relax in the sauna before enjoying a delicious dinner. The place really turned out to be a gem.

In total, the trip took about 5 hours

First stage

In total, the trip took about 5 hours

Stage three

Today's weather forecast painted a less than ideal picture, with a combination of rain and fog. With this in mind, I decided to take an alternative route for the day. I was hesitant to take the cable car up to 2,000 metres due to the expected snowfall and subsequent poor visibility.

Embarking on the captivating Roman trail known as the Via Claudia Augusta, I embraced the rain as I hiked directly from Landeck to Fließ, and then onwards to the Gacher Blick viewpoint located at the Naturparkhaus on Pillerhöhe. The trail led me through picturesque moorland and finally to Wenns. Although the ascent was demanding, the start of the tour offered outstanding scenery.

Later in the day, the weather deteriorated and I walked in the rain for six hours. By the end of the adventure, I found myself both chilled and exhausted. Naturally, an invigorating shower, a refreshing beer and a good meal were necessary to recover from the day's exertions.

What was supposed to be the fourth leg - Unexpected changes on my trip ????️

What was supposed to be the fourth leg of my journey turned into half a day without power, all within the charming village of Stillbach and its incredibly picturesque hotel. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, with flooding leading to the destruction of a road. Four others were also planning to take the same route, so we set up a WhatsApp group to keep each other updated. It wasn't quite the day I'd imagined, but when it comes to the elements, we have limited control.

I called Eurohike to explain the situation and they managed to extend my stay at this hotel for another night. Honestly, it was quite nice to sit by the fireplace, read and reflect on the trips I've been on.

We had a delicious lunch at the hotel and I felt incredibly lucky to stay in this lovely place. They had a lovely sauna, a climbing wall and a refreshing yoga class with essential oils. The service and food at this hotel was nothing short of amazing!

Transport from Stillebach to St Leonhard in Passeier (what should have been the fifth stage)

Due to the flood that had caused damage to parts of the road, the itinerary had to be adapted. This meant that the experience was somewhat shorter than planned. I had to spend an extra night in Stillebach. However, the next morning I was picked up by a transfer and transported to Italy. It was a beautiful drive through the majestic mountains, which led us down to a charming little St Leonhard in Passier. There I had a good meal and sauna and a little walk through the village.

Sixth and final stage

Today, I embarked on a long journey along the trail that wanders high above the mountains. I started the journey right from the hotel in St Leonhard and this excursion took me about six hours to complete. The road led me through forest paths and occasionally asphalt, where I was rewarded with beautiful views. After a long day's journey, it was a pleasure to rest at Hirzerhütte, where I could enjoy a tasty beer before taking the gondola down to Saltaus. At the gondola, I found the bus stop, which was waiting just a stone's throw away, and soon I found myself in Merano after a 20-minute journey. Feeling exhausted after the captivating ride, I sought refuge in the first and best pizzeria I came across. Nothing could compare to the pleasure of savouring a delicious pizza and drinking red wine after the day's long journey.

Departure

I took a taxi from the hotel to the train station. From there, I chose to take the train to Verona airport and the journey took about 2.5 hours with two stops along the way. Once you reach Verona Porta Nuova station, you'll notice that Trenitalia sets up buses to the airport. These buses can be found just outside the train station, to the right, in front of some red signs. I was a little unsure, but when I realised that there was no train to the airport, I asked one of the Trenitalia staff for guidance.