Alpine Crossing East: From the Watzmann to the Three Peaks

7 days, 7 participants, challenging crossing from the Königssee to the Puster Valley
Level
    Alpine asters line the path.
    What a picture-book mountain! You can only get this view from the Three Peaks at the Auronzo hut.
    You'll have earned it as soon as you cross the Italian border: Crossing the Alps with a mountain guide
    This breathtaking view awaits you at the Parternsattel on the Watzmann - Drei Zinnen Alpine crossing. Your mountain guide can explain the peaks and routes to you in detail. Fantastic!

A fantastic guided Alpine crossing with a circumnavigation of the Grossglockner and breathtaking views of the Three Peaks.

Experience one of the most beautiful hikes in the VIVALPIN program: The Eastern crossing of the Alps takes you through the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Eastern Alps. This route is far more than just an alternative to the classic E5 - it is a journey through the superlatives of the mountain world.

The highlights of the Alpine Crossing East at a glance
Even the start at the picturesque Königssee promises goosebump moments. But this is just the beginning, it will follow over the next 6 days:

  • Großglockner: We circle the highest mountain in Austria (3,798 m).
  • Three peaks: Enjoy the direct view of the world-famous landmark of the Dolomites with its vertical north faces (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Experience nature: Discover hidden sights off the beaten track with your mountain guide.

Claim and stage planning:
The 7 stages of this long-distance hike are ideally designed: With daily ascents of up to 1,300 meters in altitude (Hm) the tour offers a balanced mix of sporting challenge and scenic enjoyment. If you are looking for a physically demanding but rewarding crossing of the Alps, this is the tour for you.

E5 or Eastern Alps route?
Not sure which tour best suits your preferences? In our vivalpin.blog you will find a detailed comparison of the routes to help you decide.

You can find even more great Alpine crossings here!

Are you missing equipment?
You can hire many items of equipment from us, for everything else you will receive a discount of 10% at bergfreunde.de

Here you will find important information on pricing and cancellation policies

Program and schedule

  • Mountain guide:in with the appropriate qualifications
  • 5 x overnight stays in AV huts
  • 1 x overnight stay in a guesthouse
  • 6 x rich breakfast
  • 6 x multi-course evening menu
  • 3 x cab / bus transfer
  • 1 x return transfer to Berchtesgaden
  • Sea to Summit Daypack
  • Free participation in the online training Alpine Crossing Preparation (1 h)
  • 10% discount code for your purchases at bergfreunde.de

Additional costs

  • Snacks, drinks
  • Arrival, possibly parking fee
  • mögliche zusätzliche Tranfers bei Schlechtwetter o.ä.

Day 1: Treffpunkt, Ausrüstungscheck und mit dem Schiff über den Königssee nach St. Bartholomä. Aufstieg über die Saugasse zum Kärlinger Haus (1. 638 m). Übernachtung/Halbpension im Kärlinger Haus. Aufstieg 1.100 Hm / Gehzeit 4 – 5 h

2nd day: Überquerung der verkarsteten Hochfläche des Steineren Meeres zum Riemann Haus (2.177 m). Abstieg über einen teilweise drahtseilversicherten Weg nach Maria Alm. Kurzer Taxitransfer und Aufstieg zur wunderschönen Trauneralm. Ascent 900 m / descent 1,100 m / walking time 7 h

Day 3: Aufstieg zur “Pfandlscharte” (2.665 m) mit herrlichem Blick zum Großglockner. Weiter geht es bergauf und bergab zum Glockner House (2.132 m). Aufstieg 1.200 Hm / Abstieg 650 Hm / Gehzeit 5 – 7 h

Day 4: Nun geht’s auf die Glockner-Südseite. Der Weg führt über den Margaritzen Stausee und die Stockerscharte (Wiener Höhenweg) zur Salmhütte (2.644 m). Nach einer Mittagspause wanderst du weiter zur Glorer Hütte (2.642 m) und über idyllische Almwiesen abwärts zum Luckner Haus (1.918 m) oder alternativ zur Lucknerhütte (2.241 m). Aufstieg 900 Hm bzw. 1200 Hm / Abstieg 1.100 Hm / Gehzeit 7h

Day 5: Nach dem Frühstück Transfer ins Defereggental nach Maria Hilf. Vorbei am Stallebach Wasserfall und Alpe Stalle, Aufstieg auf das Villgrater Törl und dann Abstieg zur Unterstalleralm. Von hier mit dem Bus / Wandertaxi nach Kalkstein zur Pension. Aufstieg 1.100 Hm / Abstieg 830 Hm / Gehzeit 5 – 6 h

Day 6: Ein wunderschöner Aufstieg zum Toblacher Pfannhorn (2.663 m) mit den ersten Blicken in die Dolomiten. Beim Abstieg Einkehr auf der Bonner Hütte. Nach einem kurzen Transfer und einem kurzen Aufstieg steht man inmitten der Dolomiten. Übernachtung auf der Drei Schuster Hütte (1.626 m). Ascent 1,300 m / descent 1,000 m / walking time 6 h

Day 7: Durch das Innerfeldtal zur Drei Zinnen Hütte (2.438 m) mit überwältigendem Blick auf die Nordwände der berühmten Drei Zinnen, weiter über den Patersattel zur Auronzo Hütte, wo der Transfer zurück nach Berchtesgaden erfolgt. Ankunft in Berchtesgaden abends. Aufstieg 930 Hm / Abstieg 300 Hm / Gehzeit 5 h

Note on program changes:

Alle Kurse und Führungen werden gewissenhaft organisiert und entsprechend der Sicherheitsstandards der Berg- und Skischule Vivalpin mit qualifizierten Fachkräften (z. B. Berg- und Skiführer, Bergwanderführer, o. ä.) durchgeführt. Eine Anpassung des vorläufigen Tourenprogramms ist aus sicherheitsrelevanten Gründen, wie z. B. schlechtem Wetter, gefährlichen Verhältnissen, unvorhergesehenen Naturereignissen oder ungenügenden Voraussetzungen der TeilnehmerInnen möglich. Die Entscheidung für das endgültige Programm trifft der/die Guide:In vor Ort.

You should know about good physical condition, a good physical condition, A head for heights and endurance for daily stages with about 8 kg of luggage.

You can expect approx. 7 h walking time and ascents of up to 1,300 m - including 5 hours of ascents and descents with up to 1,250 m difference in altitude. Good preparation for multi-day hikes is half the battle. Get used to your equipment - especially your hiking boots and carrying a rucksack. The best way to practise this is on hikes with comparable differences in altitude.

Für deine gezielte Vorbereitung empfehlen wir unser Intensivtraining Trittsicherheit und Schwindelfreiheit in jedem Fall die Teilnahme an unserem Online Training.

You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an e-mail. 

"From the Watzmann to the Three Peaks, that doesn't just sound good, it really is good. This alpine crossing is more demanding than the classic E5. The stages are longer and also technically more demanding. So if you have already done the E5 or another long-distance hike, then the tour from the Watzmann to the Three Peaks is the logical step up for you. Absolutely recommended!"

Lisa Pütz
Mountain hiking guide
Head of department for mountain school for many years

8 TN

Meeting point at 10:00 a.m. Königssee parking lot (tourist information)

AV huts and inn

7 days

Public transport recommended

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