E5 Alps Crossing Independently

Cross the Alps at your own pace. On this independent journey, you follow the route of the European long-distance trail E5 towards Merano without a mountain guide and stay in cosy guesthouses. We organise the essential arrangements so that you can enjoy the freedom of shaping each walking day yourself.

Duration

6 days, Monday to Saturday; further dates on request

Independent walking with professional organisation

You’ve already gained some experience on a few mountain hikes and feel confident enough to hike using GPS data. If so, our self-guided Alpine crossing is the perfect tour for you. On this self-guided tour from Oberstdorf to Merano, you’ll be hiking without a mountain guide; you set the pace and can plan your day’s itinerary yourself.

The great thing about this option is that you’ll be following the E5 long-distance hiking trail, experiencing nature up close whilst enjoying the comfort of the guesthouses in the valley.

You’ll carry your own luggage, though. If the weather isn’t on your side, you can alternatively cover the stages by taxi or public transport. You hike – we’ll take care of planning and organising your self-guided tour. The GPS data and further tour information will be provided to you around two months before the tour starts. Please familiarise yourself with how to use the GPS data and the Komoot app.

If you have any questions about the tour, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Tour itinerary (summary)
Day 1: Hirschegg - Bärgunttal - Hochalppass - Hochkrumbach - Hotel Jägeralpe

Day 2: Kaisertal - Kaiserjochhaus - Pettneu - Arlberg Boutique Hotel

Day 3: Zams - Venet - Wenns - Mittelberg - Haus Bergheim, Pitztal

Day 4: Braunschweiger Hütte - Pitztaler Jöchl - Sölden Gletscher - Vent - Berghotel Gasthof Gstrein

Day 5: Martin-Busch-Hütte - Similaun Hütte - Meran, City Hotel Meran or similar

Day 6: individual journey home

A detailed itinerary and additional practical information are available in the separate downloadable travel programme.

Group size
1 Person, max. 6 Personen

Price per Person

795,00 €

Please find here our payment terms.

Who is this tour for?
This tour is suitable for experienced hikers who have already walked on mountain paths, can navigate confidently using GPS data and would like to cross the Alps independently rather than as part of a guided group. A realistic assessment of fitness, sure-footedness and mountain experience is essential. Further guidance is provided in the separate Fitness & Technical Guide.

Fitness
Ascents and descents of up to 1,200 vertical metres, with a maximum walking time of 4 to 6 hours per day, depending on the weather, trail conditions and the fitness of the group. Longer breaks are usually taken after around 1 to 2 hours of walking.

Technical requirements
You will mainly hike on moderately difficult mountain trails, which are mostly narrow and steep. Occasional rocky and exposed sections are well secured with steel cables and may require the use of your hands from time to time. Depending on weather and snow conditions in the mountains, the ground can be slippery. For these tours, you should already have hiking experience and be sure-footed with a good head for heights.

Included in the tour price

4 nights with half board in a hotel or guesthouse (double or multi-bedded room)
1 night with breakfast in a hotel (double or multi-bedded room)
GPS tracks
Complimentary access to the Komoot app
Detailed transfer information
Office-hours telephone support

Additional costs
Drinks, snacks and packed-lunch provisions: approximately €45.00 per person per day, depending on personal requirements
1 evening meal
Cable-car journeys
Transfers during the tour
Return transfer
Travel insurance
Parking fees

surcharge for single room (optional)

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation
You will stay in guesthouses or hotels. Rooms are usually double rooms. If you are travelling in small groups, triple rooms or apartments with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom may also be possible. Single rooms can only be allocated on request, subject to availability and usually at very short notice. A corresponding surcharge applies. Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee a private bathroom for every single room.

Meals
You will be well catered for at the accommodation with half board. Vegetarian meals are also possible; please state this when booking, as short-notice changes cannot be accommodated. Along the way, there are often welcoming places to stop for refreshments, or you can arrange a packed lunch in the morning for an additional charge. It is therefore sufficient to bring enough to drink and a small snack, such as an energy bar, for the start of the tour.

Departure Dates 2026

S115-26-2 13.07.2026 - 18.07.2026

S115-26-7 20.07.2026 - 25.07.2026

S115-26-3 27.07.2026 - 01.08.2026
S115-26-4 10.08.2026 - 15.08.2026

S115-26-5 24.08.2026 - 29.08.2026 (Warteliste)

Further dates may be available on request. The payment and cancellation conditions published on the website apply.

Meeting point

Wanderparkplatz Baad (Baad 1, 6993 Mittelberg, Österreich)

Return
Arrival in Meran on last day of tour, approx 6 pm

Parking

Paid parking is available in Baad/Kleinwalsertal; alternatively, you can park in Oberstdorf.

Missing information? Please have a look at our Q & A!

About the region and the E5
The European long-distance trail E5 is one of the major walking routes crossing the Alps. The complete trail runs for approximately 3,200 kilometres from the Atlantic coast of Brittany in France, across the Alps and onwards to Verona in Italy.

Its best-known Alpine section leads from Oberstdorf in the Allgäu to Merano in South Tyrol. The route passes through a striking sequence of mountain ranges, high passes and valleys. Scenery and vegetation change rapidly, from green Alpine meadows and dramatic high-mountain terrain to the almost Mediterranean atmosphere of South Tyrol.

This combination of demanding mountain crossings, varied valleys and comfortable overnight accommodation makes the route an excellent choice for experienced walkers seeking an impressive yet independently organised Alpine journey.

Downloads and further information:

detailed tour description
packing list
Frequently asked questions

Why hike the Alps with Sörmland Outdoor?