The E5 Alpine Crossing

The E5 is a remarkable journey, however, it demands a high level of physical fitness. With daily walking times extending up to 9 hours, being in excellent shape is crucial. Prepare yourself for the challenge, and you’ll be rewarded with striking views and an experience like no other!

The walks are tough, crossing high mountain passes over rocky, rough, and exposed terrain. The weather can also change quickly in the mountains, making progress more difficult if it becomes wet underfoot. Some sections include rope which is bolted into the rock face to aid ascent/descent. It is likely, even in the height of summer, that you will walk over late-lying patches of snow or snow fields. You may want to bring crampons for extra grip in case of snow on the high trails.

This route ranges from moderate-to-strenuous to extreme, depending on which tour variant you choose. Each tour variant has a grade, and within that tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of friendly 3-star hotels and guesthouses along the route, with one night spent in a mountain hut (either a private room or dormitory accommodation, depending on the tour variant you choose). Please note that twin and double rooms in Austria and Germany typically consist of two single mattresses on one double bed frame, each with its own duvet and pillow.

In a couple of the larger towns along the way, a two-night minimum stay requirement in peak summer, combined with high demand, means you may be accommodated in a neighbouring town rather than the town centre itself. Hotel upgrades are available at most overnight stops, should you want to treat yourself.

Unfortunately, this tour is not available to solo travelers due to the demanding, high-alpine nature of the route. We can, however, offer single rooms on request if you are traveling with others, available for a supplement.

Continental breakfasts are included throughout, usually served buffet-style with items like boiled eggs, ham, cheese, fresh bread and muesli. Lunch isn't included, but you can pick up supplies at local supermarkets and bakeries, or buy a packed lunch from your accommodation in more remote spots, with various alpine chalets and huts also offering lunch options along the way. Dinner is included on the night you stay in the mountain hut, and at one or two other overnights depending on your itinerary, otherwise you're free to choose a restaurant locally, including in the town of Oberstdorf.

Expect hearty Bavarian and Austrian specialities such as Weisswurst, Käsespätzle, Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel. Let us know about any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

This tour runs from July to the middle of September, when conditions in the Alps are at their most favorable. Summers here are generally warm and sunny, but storms can develop rapidly, and trails can become prone to landslides or flash floods after heavy rain, so it's worth packing gear and footwear that can handle mud. Weather at altitude can change very quickly, and you should be prepared for all conditions, including the possibility of summer snowfall in the mountains.

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.

Because of the remote, mountainous nature of this route, bag transfers aren't possible on every stage. On the days where your bag can't be transferred, you'll carry your overnight things in your day pack and be reunited with your main bag at your next overnight stop where transfers resume.

The E5 and connecting trails are generally well waymarked, following well-maintained mountain, forest and alpine paths, though you'll still need to be able to orientate yourself in the terrain at certain points given the high-alpine setting.

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.

Fly into Munich, then take the train to Oberstdorf (around 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on your connection), Deutsche Bahn operates Germany's national rail network.

Your tour finishes in Italy, nearby airports are around 5 hours away, you can also travel back to Munich Airport by train (around 5 hours). Trenitalia operates Italy's national rail network.

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 help arrange this, or our German and UK offices are on hand to assist.

This is a demanding, high-alpine crossing and isn't suitable for children or inexperienced hikers. If you don't have previous alpine hiking experience, it's worth considering a less technically demanding alpine tour first.

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