Across the Alps: From Watzmann to Tre Cime

What to expect

Crossing the main ridge of the Alps – a dream for many mountain lovers – becomes reality on this unforgettable seven-day trek. In just one week, we take on the challenge and hike across the entire Alpine ridge on foot: from Germany through Austria to Italy. Our journey begins at the crystal-clear Königssee near Berchtesgaden, beneath the towering east face of the Watzmann (2713 m) – Germany’s second-highest peak. We then traverse the stark beauty of the Steinernes Meer plateau before entering the Glockner Group, where sweeping views of the Großglockner (3798 m), Austria’s highest mountain, await us in the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park. After days of steep climbs, glacier views, and wild alpine terrain, we reach our grand finale: the legendary Tre Cime (2999 m) – the iconic crown of the Dolomites and a spectacular ending to this alpine adventure.

Physical requirements

A Trans-Alp is a serious and challenging undertaking that requires thorough preparation. On most days, we will hike between 10 and 15 kilometres, with an average altitude gain of 1,000 meters or more. This means we will be out on the trail for 8 to 10 hours each day, leaving very little time for the body to recover.

To truly enjoy and complete this trek safely, you need to have experience hiking in high-alpine terrain (above 2,000 m in the Alps) for multiple days in a row while carrying a heavy backpack. Ideally, you should have already joined one of my medium or difficult multi-day treks, so you know how I guide and you comfortably move as part of the group, and have previous experience staying in Alpine-style huts. You must be sure-footed and free from vertigo, able to maintain a steady uphill pace, and have no knee or joint problems that could make long descents painful. A high level of overall fitness is essential. In addition to physical readiness, you should have enough time in the months before the trip to train through regular hikes of similar difficulty, and in the final weeks, focus on building endurance and cardiovascular fitness through activities like running, cycling, or stair climbing. Beyond the physical demands, mental stamina, resilience, and a positive mindset are key to successfully hiking for seven consecutive days across the Alps.

Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that you are fit enough and able to participate in this trip. If you have never hiked with me before or are unsure whether you meet the physical and technical requirements or whether you have the right equipment, I’d be very happy to speak over the phone with you about the trip in advance. Please keep in mind that, no matter how the routes are rated, multi-day hikes in the Alps may feel difficult if you have not hiked in the Alps before.

Service included

• Organised trip by a registered travel company
• Guided hiking by a fully qualified UIMLA & VDBS International Mountain Leader
• 6x nights in huts / simple hotels in shared rooms including half-board
• Information package about the trip including a packing list

Extra costs on tour

• Lunch and beverages during the trip
• Public transport & taxi transfers during the trek (approx. 75 – 100 € p.P)
• Transport to the start of the hike and back (Deutschlandticket is valid for part of the trip)

Optional

• Overnight-stay before and after the trip in Munich
• Transport to Munich

Accommodation

The huts are simple mountain huts, and all offer shared rooms, which are shared with other hikers if we do not fill all beds and the hut is fully booked. All huts have shared washing facilities, and some huts offer showers at additional cost. The huts serve buffet-style continental breakfast and a set multi-course dinner. The huts aim to cater for dietary restrictions; however it is not always possible given their simple facilities and remoteness of their location. If you have any dietary requirements, please communicate them in advance. We stay two nights in the valley in simple hotels that also offer shared rooms with private bathrooms.

Please note that not all huts have opened their booking process yet. While I have confirmed reservations for most huts, minor route adjustments may be possible depending on availability. Any potential adjustments will not affect the overall tour experience, price, or cancellation terms.

Travel

Start: Munich main station at around 6:00 am on Day 1.
End: Munich main station at around 9 pm on Day 7.

You can travel with me from Munich Main Station to the start of the hike on Saturday and return to Munich on Sunday. Once you have signed up, I will send you the train connections three months before the trip. Alternatively, you are welcome to travel individually and meet the group at the start of the hike in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and leave the group at the end of the hike in Dobbiaco, Italy.

If you would like travel advice for getting to Munich or to the start and end points of the trek, as well as hotel recommendations in Munich or in the Alps before or after the trip, or holiday ideas to extend your stay, please feel free to contact me directly.

Programme

Day 1 – Carl-von Stahl-Haus (1631 m)
15 km, ↑1200 m, ↓ 580 m, 6 hours hiking time, 8-9 hours in total
We meet at Munich main station or Berchtesgaden station from where we take a short bus ride to Hinterbrand. From Hinterbrand, we hike through forest paths and open meadows to Priesbergalm, where we stop for lunch. The trail then continues through the Stiergraben and up toward Seleneck, becoming steeper and more rugged. Reaching the Schneibstein offers our first chance to spot ibex along the rocky slopes. From there, we descend directly to the Carl-von-Stahl-Haus, beautifully located on the Austrian–German border.

Day 2 – Trauneralm (1522 m)
17 km, ↑400 m, ↓1300 m, 5 hrs hiking time, 7-8 hours in total
In the morning we have time to explore one of the surrounding peaks if the weather aligns. After that it’s a steady downhill to Golling from where we transfer towards Tauern National Park. The Käfertal is beautiful and time allows for a refreshing dip in the river before we ascend for an hour to the beautifully located Trauneralm.

Day 3 - Glocknerhaus (2132 m)
9 km, ↑1200 m, ↓600 m, 5 hrs hiking time, 7-8 hours in total
From Trauneralm, the trail first climbs steadily through lush alpine meadows and the steep green slopes typical of the Tauern range. It then becomes rockier as we approach and cross a year-round snowfield, where spikes are needed for safe footing. After the snowfield, the path flattens slightly as it leads to the Pfandlscharte Pass at 2.665 m. On the descent, the terrain softens again, passing several small glacier lakes before continuing across rolling hills toward the Glocknerhaus.

Day 4 - Lucknerhaus (1920 m)
15 km, ↑900 m, ↓1000 m, 6 hrs hiking, 8-9 hours in total
We hike on the Glockner Trail past the Stausee, a scenic reservoir below the Großglockner, before starting a steady climb to the Stockerscharte Pass (2.442 m). The descent on the far side is steep and secured with ropes, leading us gently onto the green slopes that wind toward the Salmhütte, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, we continue along a trail lined with Edelweiss, crossing another short, exposed section with fixed ropes before reaching the Glorerhütte (2,642 m), a welcoming mountain hut. From there, an easy descent in wide serpentines brings us down to the Lucknerhaus in the valley. A short taxi ride then takes us to our hotel in Kals, where we can enjoy a luxury shower.

Day 5 – Innervilgraten (1402 m)
10 km, ↑1000 m, ↓850 m, 5 hrs hiking, 6-7 hours in total
A taxi ride takes us to Maria Hilf in the beautiful Defreggental valley. From there, we follow the Wasserfallsteig, a scenic trail that climbs steadily alongside waterfalls and through forest paths, leading up to the Alpe Stalle alpine pasture. We continue the ascent toward the Villgrater Törl (2,502 m), the border crossing between East Tyrol’s Defreggental and Villgratental valleys. From the pass, the trail descends through wide alpine meadows and open pastures to the charming Unterstaller Alm, a traditional mountain hut, where we can pause to relax before a taxi transfer takes us to our overnight hotel in Innervillgraten.

Day 6 – Drei-Schuster-Hütte (1639 m)
12 km, ↑↓1100 m, 6 hrs hiking, 8-9 hours in total
After a short taxi ride we start in Kalkstein through the Alfental to the Toblacher Pfannhorn (2663 m), which is right on the border with South Tyrol. As we descend, we pass the Bonner Hütte (2340 m), where we stop for lunch. We continue a short distance down the valley to Kandellen, where a taxi awaits us and takes us to the Innerfeldtal. From there it's just a short hike up to the Drei-Schuster-Hütte.

Day 7 – Drei-Zinnen-Hütte (2320)
12 km, ↑1100 m, ↓ 350m, 5 hrs hiking, 7-8 hours in total
We start directly at the hut and hike up the Innerfeldtal to the Drei-Zinnen-Hütte. From there we have a fantastic view of the north walls of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The descent leads us via the Zirmboden into the Schwabental to the Landro chapel. From there a local bus takes us in 15 minutes to the nearest town, Dobbiaco, from where we catch the next train connection back to Munich.

Note that our hiking days may differ from the described programme due to weather and path conditions or the physical ability of the group.

Payment Information

Price: 1.295 €

A deposit of €150 is required within seven days of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days before the start date. Payment in instalments is possible; please contact me directly at info(at)shantitreks.com. Please note that the cancellation policy applies as outlined in the T&Cs.

Booking opens on Saturday, 15 November.