The E5 Route: across the Eastern Alps from Germany to Italy
![E5, crossing the Alps / Photo: Björn S. [CC BY-SA 3.0] Wikimedia Commons](https://travesiapirenaica.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/E5-cruzando-los-Alpes-_by-Björn-S.-CC-BY-SA-3.0-Wikimedia-Commons_1000x750.jpg)
From Lake Constance in Germany, this guidebook describes the E5 hike, which covers 600 km in about 30 days through a remarkable diversity of landscape and culture in Switzerland, Austria and Italy to its destination in Verona. It passes through the Allgauer, Lechtaler and Ötztaler Alps. There is a good network of alpine huts and lodges along the route.
Passes of up to 2,900 metres in altitude are crossed on the way to the northern Italian city of Bolzano. The gradients become gentler as the E5 runs south parallel to the mighty Adige River through the Lagorai, Pasubio and Lessini groups. The final destination is wonderful Verona, a romantic city par excellence.
READ ALSO: Trekking in the Alps".
Practical guide
When to go?
Summer to avoid snow on the high passes. Accommodation open from the end of June to the end of September.
Difficulty: you must know
600 km in 30 days. Positive elevation gain of 21,000 m and negative elevation gain of 23,000 m. You will find an alpine route at high altitude and easier mountain sections. If you are not going to do the whole route, choose the sections that best suit your level and experience.
It can easily be divided into shorter stages
Supporting the route is a well-organised network of alpine huts and lodges. Transport links make it possible to join or leave the trek at many stages.
Don't miss
- Stunning alpine landscapes and glaciers.
- Visit spectacular geological sites
- Surprise yourself with remnants of World War I.
- Let yourself be carried away by the diversity of the traditional mountain cultures that you will encounter.
Cities & Services
Lake Constance, Bozen, Verona, Oberstdorf, Sölden, Moos, Levico Terme, Carbonare
Stages
- Stage 1 Constance to Arbon
- Stage 2 Arbon to Rheineck
- Stage 3 Rheineck to Lingenau
- Stage 4 Lingenau to Staufnerhaus
- Stage 5 Staufnerhaus to Gunzesried
- Stage 6 Gunzesried to Kemptnerhütte
- Stage 7 Kemptnerhütte to Memmingerhütte
- Stage 8 Memmingerhütte to Zams
- Stage 9 Zams to Mittelberg
- Stage 10 Mittelberg to Zwieselstein
- Stage 11 Zwieselstein to Moos in Passeier
- Stage 12 Moos in Passeier to Pfandleralm
- Stage 13 Pfandleralm to Hirzerhütte
- Stage 14 Hirzerhütte to Meranerhütte
- Stage 15 Meranerhütte to Bozen
- Stage 16 Bozen to Wastlhof
- Stage 17 Wastlhof to Gfrill
- Stage 18 Gfrill to Cembra
- Stage 19 Cembra to Palù di Fersina
- Stage 20 Palù di Fersina to Levico Terme
- Stage 21 Levico Terme to Carbonare
- Stage 22 Carbonare to Passo Coe
- Stage 23 Passo Coe a Rifugio Lancia
- Stage 24 Rifugio Lancia to Pian delle Fugazze
- Stage 25 Pian delle Fugazze to Rifugio Campogrosso
- Stage 26 Rifugio Campogrosso to Giazza
- Stage 27 Giazza a Erbezzo
- Stage 28 Erbezzo to Montecchio
- Stage 29 Montecchio a Verona
