Across the Alps: Bavaria to South Tyrol

Due to the length of the stages, the difference in altitude and the nature of the route, the crossing of the Alps from Füssen to Meran is suitable for walkers with some mountain experience and a good level of fitness. The route profile requires surefootedness and a head for heights.

The landscape along the Alpine crossing from Füssen to Meran is impressively varied. Along the way, you will pass through green mountain pastures and dense forests, with striking Alpine panoramas along the way. The stages are a mix of narrow mountain paths and well-maintained forest trails, some of which lead over scree and rock. There are no technical challenges. There are a few exposed sections on the Meraner Höhenweg, which are secured with ropes. We offer an alternative walk for this day.

This tour is graded moderate-strenuous. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

You'll stay in hand-picked 3 and 4-star hotels that offer a warm welcome to walkers. We've chosen these properties to give you a comfortable, well-located base each night, and if one of them isn't available, we'll book you into a hotel of a similar or better standard.

One thing worth knowing before you go: twin and double rooms in Austria and Germany are often made up as two single mattresses pushed together in one bed frame, each with its own separate duvet and pillows.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

We'd recommend some previous Alpine hiking experience if you're planning to take on this particular tour solo.

Breakfast is included every day, usually a buffet with a continental spread of bread, jams, pastries, yogurt and muesli, along with local meats, cheeses, eggs and fruit. Lunch and dinner aren't included, giving you the freedom to choose what's on offer each day - you may be able to order a packed lunch from your accommodation for the next day, or stock up at a bakery or shop in town before you set off. There's plenty of choice for dinner too, either at your hotel or a nearby restaurant. Food in this part of the Alps is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese featuring heavily - look out for Tyrolean specialties like Tiroler Gröstl (a bacon, onion and potato fry-up topped with a fried egg), Kiachl (a fried yeast dough pastry served sweet or savory) and Kaiserschmarrn, a well-known sweet, fluffy pancake dish. Let us know about any dietary requirements when you book.

This tour is available to start on any day of the week, from the beginning of July to the beginning of September. Each year in late August, a local cycling marathon event takes place in the Ötztal, meaning accommodation around Sölden can be unavailable for a few days around that time, with roads closed and bus services running irregularly - we're unable to confirm tours through that area on those dates. You'll hike through a number of different climate zones on this tour, and weather in the Alps can change very quickly, particularly at altitude - be prepared for all conditions, as snow is possible even in summer. We'd recommend checking the local forecast each day before you set out. Your hosts are usually well informed about current conditions too, and are happy to help.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

All of the hikes on this tour are way-marked.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start: this tour starts in Füssen. Fly into Munich Airport, from where you can take a train to Füssen (3 hours) - Macs Adventure can also arrange a private transfer from the airport, so just ask your Sales Specialist. Information on trains in Germany is available in English at bahn.de.

Getting from the end: this tour ends in Merano. From Merano you can travel by train to any other Italian destination, or to the Milan airports (both around 5 hours), and you can also reach Munich Airport by train in around 5 hours total. Trenitalia, the Italian national railway, has information available in English on its website.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport. Your accommodation can usually help with arrangements, and our German, UK and US offices are also on hand to assist.

A few of the daily hikes on this tour require a short public transport transfer to the start point, which isn't included in the cost of your tour and is payable locally (typically a modest amount per person across the whole tour). Your Tour Info gives full details of the connections you'll need.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation