There are many ways to cross the Alps: flying, driving, by train, walking. What? Walking? Yes, and it might be the most beautiful one. In German, crossing the Alps is referred to as Die Alpenüberquerung and can take many forms from days to more than a month. I’ll be starting it tomorrow so this is my introduction to this journey, an overview of the route and the gear I’ll be taking with me.
Since it’s my first time, I went with a seven-day hiking route from Tegernsee in Germany to Sterzing in Südtirol, northern Italy. This is not a tremendous physical challenge: it’s a Genusswanderung, a scenic journey through changing landscapes, cultures, and mindsets. I think this will be a nice introduction to this. There are other variants like the E5 where there’s way more elevation gain and you typically sleep in small huts atop the mountain unlike the one I’ll be doing where you sleep in villages in the valleys.
This is a trail for those who want to move enjoying the lakes, valleys, mountain villages, many cows depending on the season, and lots of that fresh alpine air. And yes, rain and cloudy weather might be another piece of this adventure puzzle. This trail has well-marked paths and a varied offer of accommodations, making it ideal for both experienced hikers and those new to multi-day treks.
7 Days of Alpine Magic
From forest trails to alpine passes, each day brings a new mood and rhythm. The first few days offer a gentle warm up. The later stages test your endurance and reward you with scenic views beyond this world. I think it’s going to be not only a physical but a mental challenge too.
| Route | Ascent / Descent | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmund – Bad Wiessee / (Kreuth) | ▲ 180 m ▼ 180 m | 14 km | ~4 h |
| Kreuth – Achenkirch | ▲ 820 m ▼ 770 m | 17 km | ~6 h 30 min |
| Achenkirch – Fügen | ▲ 120 m ▼ 100 m | 14 km | ~4 h |
| Fügen – Hochfügen | ▲ 350 m ▼ 740 m | 14 km | ~4 h 30 min |
| Hochfügen – Mayrhofen / Aschau | ▲ 840 m ▼ 300 m | 11 km | ~4 h 15 min |
| Aschau / Mayrhofen – Pfitsch | ▲ 480 m ▼ 820 m | 13 km | ~4 h 40 min |
| Pfitsch – Sterzing | ▲ 140 m ▼ 640 m | 20 km | ~5 h 20 min |
What’s in my Backpack
Having usually carried everything in “traditional” backpacks like a Deuter Futura or an Osprey Stratos, I decided to go with something lighter this time and chose a Rab Veil XP 30L. The weight difference is remarkable: while backpacks like the Deuter Futura 32 weigh 1,44 kg, the Veil weighs only 553 grams. Another advantage is that it’s fully waterproof which is one less thing to worry about during rain.
Clothing
- 3 Merino t-shirts, good feeling, regulate the body temperature, odorless and fast dry.
- 1 basic t-shirt just to let the performance t-shirts rest. And dry.
- 1 Merino thick layer to keep me warm in case of unexpected cold, although I don’t foresee it at this time of the year
- 1 waterproof jacket, which with ~150 grams is extremely light.
- 1 hiking pants with zip-off so it’s like having shorts too.
- 1 running tights, very light and enough to wear as pants.
- 1 cap which is waterproof.
Footwear
- My beloved Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots. Rugged and reliable.
- I’m also taking a pair of light barefoot shoes. First time trying them and they’re very comfortable.
- 3 pairs of hiking socks
Equipment
- trekking poles
- sunglasses, essential for alpine sun
- hydration packs that I know from my running group and they taste good and perform well
- first aid kit, German DIN-compliant, of course.
- picnic blanket made of recycled plastic and super compact.
- collapsible rubber cup just in case.
- microfiber compact towel.
- a Nalgene water bottle, an ever lasting gift from my time at Automattic.
- Rab soft flasks compatible with this backpack that I had from their running vest Veil 12L
- And the most important one, my old loyal companion Fujifilm X-T2 camera. Since 2017 I’ve carried it everywhere.
I tried to keep it as light as possible and so far the heaviest thing is the camera. Well, in fact, it’s the water, but that’s an essential necessity.
Let’s Begin
The weather already announces rain for the first day for the trail so it’s important to keep the spirit high. It’s going to be nevertheless a great experience to remember forever and I’m really looking forward to it.
This trek from Tegernsee to Sterzing is a journey through the heart of the Alps. Whether you’re drawn by the challenge, the peace, or the beauty, the Alps will meet you there.
Crossing the Alps: Days 1-2 · From Gmund to Achenkirch Across the Border
Crossing the Alps: Days 3-4 · Along the Achensee to Hochfügen
Crossing the Alps: Days 5, 6, 7 · Towards Mayrhofen and crossing the border to Sterzing in Italy
