Alpine crossing Merano - Lake Garda

• Mountain guide with the necessary qualifications
• 5 x overnight stays in huts
• 2 x overnight stay in hotel/ inn
• 7 x half board
• 4 - 5 x transfers by cab and bus
• Return journey from Riva del Garda to Merano
• Mountain railroads & lifts according to program
• Free participation in the online training: Crossing the Alps - Preparation (1 h)

Additional costs

• Snacks, drinks
• Arrival, possibly parking fee

Day 1: The meeting point is at 10:00 am at the Texelbergbahn valley station. From there, the Texelbahn cable car takes us up to the Giggelberg (1,565 m). This is the start of one of the most beautiful sections of the Merano High Mountain Trail through the wild landscape of the Texel Group. Numerous vantage points offer wonderful views of the Adige Valley deep below and across to the glaciers of the Ortler region. A highlight is the suspension bridge over the 1000-step gorge, before the cable car from Unterstell takes us back down into the valley to Naturns. Overnight stay in the hotel. Ascent 450 m / descent 700 m, time 3 h

Day 2In the morning, we take public transport from Naturns to Latsch. From there, a small chairlift takes us comfortably to the Tarscher Alm (1,940 m). There we start our ascent up to the Tarscher Pass (2,530 m). We continue to enjoy the view of the Ortler group and can already see the steep rocky peaks of the Dolomites in the distance. We hike down to the Kuppelwieser Alm, where we can enjoy an excellent apple or poppy seed strudel! After a short hike, a bus takes us via St. Nikolaus to St. Gertraud. Overnight stay in St. Gertraud. Ascent 600 m / descent 600 m / walking time 5 h

Day 3After breakfast, we start our hike to Rabbi Joch at 2,449 m and via Haselgruber Hütte and Haselgrubersee. We take a break and enjoy the fantastic view. We then descend towards Piazzolo. From there, a cab takes us further into the Val di Sole until we reach the rustic Albergo Lago Rosso (1,178 m). The rustic inn is located in the middle of the Adamello Brenta National Park on the unique Lake Tovel. Overnight stay at the Albergo Lago Rosso. Ascent 1,000 m / descent 1,100 m / walking time 6 h

Day 4Our Brenta crossing starts with the ascent through the Val di San Maria della Flavone to the Groste Pass (2,442 m). First we take a shady path through the forest. Later we reach the Malga Flavona mountain pasture, where our path now leads narrowly and steeply uphill. A lonely and green high valley rewards us for our efforts. Above the tree line, a steep mountain path leads to the pass. Only a few minutes' descent separate us from the Rifugio Graffer (2,261 m) in the middle of the Madonna di Campiglio ski area. Grandiose views of the Latemar, Mendelkamm and the Sarntal Alps delight us all day long. Ascent 1,265 m / descent 250 m / walking time 6 h

Day 5Dream hiking day: past wild rock towers, the "Crozzon di Brenta" rock face and the "Cima Brenta", we hike through the heart of the Brenta Dolomites. After a short break at the Tuckett hut, we set off on a spectacular trail via the Brentei hut to the "Bocca di Brenta". At the end of a huge rock cauldron, we climb over short passages secured by steel cables to the top of the "Bocca di Brenta" pass at 2,552 m above sea level. Our destination for the day, the Rifugio Pedrotti, lies in the middle of the impressive rocky backdrop of Cima Brenta Bassa 2,812 m, Cima Brenta Alta and Croz del Rifuguo 2,568 m. A breathtaking view! Ascent 850 m / Descent 650 m / Walking time 6 h

Day 6Early the next morning, we hike past the south-facing rock faces of the Brenta. On the opposite slope we see the Pedrotti hut as a small dot between the mighty Brenta rocks. Climbing slightly, we reach the Forcolotta di Noghera (2,423 m), where we may be able to observe a herd of climbing chamois. From there, we descend steeply at first, then cross over to the Agostini hut, where we fortify ourselves for the descent to the Cacciatore hut. Overnight stay at the Cacciatore hut. Ascent 840 m / descent 190 m / walking time 5 h

Day 7We cycle to the beautiful Lake Tenno. The last and very varied stage takes us up to the San Pietro hut (963 m). From here we have a breathtaking view of the destination of our big mountain hiking week: Lake Garda. We take a short break at the hut and enjoy the view of our destination. We slowly descend past the Varone waterfalls. We hike the last few kilometers through olive groves to the shores of Lake Garda near Riva del Garda. A great long-distance hike comes to an end! Overnight stay in a hotel on Lake Garda. Ascent 410 m / Descent 830 m / Walking time 5 h

Day 8: Return together to the Texelberg cable car.

Note on program changes: 

All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.

Good physical condition, good stamina, sure-footedness, a head for heights and stamina for daily stages with approx. 8 kg of luggage of approx. 7 hours walking time, ascents of up to 1,300 m and 5 hours in ascent, descents of up to 1,250 m. Good preparation is half the battle for multi-day hikes: Get used to your hiking boots and to carrying your rucksack. The best way to practise this is on hikes with comparable differences in altitude. For your targeted preparation, we recommend our Intensive training in surefootedness and head for heights
You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an email!