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Highlights
Walk from town to town across the beautiful villages of Alpine regions in Italy
Observe the impressive Dolomites that are a true contrast to the lush green of the alpine pastures.
Trek across the famous South Tyrolean Wine Route: One vineyard after another lined up along the South Tyrolean Wine Route between Nals and Salorno.
Enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle on Lake Garda: Cappuccino, gelato and a pinch of “dolce far niente” welcome you in Riva del Garda
Travel on your own pace with your group only, with all the logistics being taken care for you.
Starting in the famous spa town Meran you walk through vineyards and orchards, past historic castles and sparkling tarns and visit idyllic places with some of the most wonderful views.
All of the mountains of South Tyrol and Trentino are incredibly fascinating! They offer views of turquoise lakes, enormous plateaus, deep river valleys and canyons. The rugged peaks of the Dolomites accompany you on your way, giving you an excellent feel for the fascinating alpine world of the lonely and steep rugged giants. In Trentino you discover mountain villages with winding narrow streets and idyllic stone houses before you reach your final destination, Lake Garda. In the middle of high cliffs, enclosed by olive orchards, cypresses and fig trees you feel the Mediterranean flair. Cappuccino and Gelato at the banks of the dark blue lake – ‘La vita é bella!’
Meran, Lake Kalterer-See, the Dolomites, cappuccino and Lake Garda: When hearing these words, hikers want to pack their backpacks right away! In addition, the hiking holiday without luggage between Meran and Lake Garda has all kinds of surprises in store for you that will make you think back to this week for a long time. Have you ever bitten into an apple from the Vinschgau region? Or have you walked through the narrow streets of stone houses in Trentino? At the latest when enjoying the first ‘gelato’ in Riva del Garda it will be over for you!
Important note: This tour is part of the Alpine Crossing series, that can be combined into a 29-day trek from Munich to Venice. Check out other parts of the trek:
Alpine Crossing 1: Munich to Garmish
Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Meran
Alpine Crossing 4: Lake Garda to Venice
Starting in the famous spa town Meran you walk through vineyards and orchards, past historic castles and sparkling tarns and visit idyllic places with some of the most wonderful views.
All of the mountains of South Tyrol and Trentino are incredibly fascinating! They offer views of turquoise lakes, enormous plateaus, deep river valleys and canyons. The rugged peaks of the Dolomites accompany you on your way, giving you an excellent feel for the fascinating alpine world of the lonely and steep rugged giants. In Trentino you discover mountain villages with winding narrow streets and idyllic stone houses before you reach your final destination, Lake Garda. In the middle of high cliffs, enclosed by olive orchards, cypresses and fig trees you feel the Mediterranean flair. Cappuccino and Gelato at the banks of the dark blue lake – ‘La vita é bella!’
Meran, Lake Kalterer-See, the Dolomites, cappuccino and Lake Garda: When hearing these words, hikers want to pack their backpacks right away! In addition, the hiking holiday without luggage between Meran and Lake Garda has all kinds of surprises in store for you that will make you think back to this week for a long time. Have you ever bitten into an apple from the Vinschgau region? Or have you walked through the narrow streets of stone houses in Trentino? At the latest when enjoying the first ‘gelato’ in Riva del Garda it will be over for you!
Important note: This tour is part of the Alpine Crossing series, that can be combined into a 29-day trek from Munich to Venice. Check out other parts of the trek:
Alpine Crossing 1: Munich to Garmish
Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Meran
Alpine Crossing 4: Lake Garda to Venice
Read more
Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Meran
Enjoy the Mediterranean flair in this wonderful and cultural town in the heart of South Tyrol. Wander around the charming arcades or follow in the footsteps of Emperess Sissi along the ‘Passer’ esplanade.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Meran
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Start on the Alpine Crossing Route to Nals
Along the Waal paths you venture through apple plantations before arriving at an impressive waterfall. Soon your trail leads you through the hills of the chestnut place Tisens and up to the historic little church of St. Christoph. After hiking through a beautiful woodland with fantastic views deep into the Etsch valley you reach Nals, an idyllic little village in the middle of apple orchards and vineyards.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Nals
Distance: 5-6 hours, 20km, 560m on ascent, 550m on descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Trek to Kaltern/Kalterer Lake
Today you can look forward to a fascinating hike on the trail of castles. On interesting and steep roads you walk from fortress to fortress where you can admire diverse historic architecture. In the afternoon you wander through the region of ‘holes in the ice’, a natural phenomenon which gives you the chance to discover icicles in midsummer. Past the tower of St. George and many more vineyards, you will soon reach Lake Kaltern (Lago di Caldaro).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kaltern/Kalterer Lake
Distance: 5-5.5 hours, 18km, 710m of ascent, 600m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Onwards to Coredo
In the morning you travel to the Mendelpass (saddle of Mendel) by train. Enjoy the phenomenal view before you continue your comfortable walk over the plateau towards Nonstal, the language and provincial border. Into amazing canyons and through idyllic small villages to the pilgrimage site of Saint Romedio and past two small sparkling lakes, you will soon reach Coredo. Here you can enjoy the Italian comfort in the middle of Trentino.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Coredo
Distance: 4.5-5 hours, 17km, 200m of ascent, 700m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Hike to Molveno
After a short transfer you can admire the impressive landscape of the Nonstal, before you begin your walk along the ‘Way of St. James’, up to the airy high plain of the Paganella. The path leads through wide woodland areas up to Cavedago with its famous triple-arched bridge. Further on across the wetland of a karst lake towards Andalo and then on to the village of Molveno, situated at the foot of the Brenta-Dolomites and the same-named mountain lake with its turquoise water.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Molveno
Distance: 4.5-5.5 hours, 15km, 700m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Dayhike in the Brenta-Dolomites
Enjoy the fascinating alpine world of the tall peaks of the Brenta group! You ascend into the mountain area of the Pradel by cable car and you discover one of its most beautiful hiking routes. Stop at a Rifugio (mountain hut) and enjoy a typical Italian snack as well as the impressive view of the surrounding mountain tops, before you slowly descend to the crystal clear, green tarn Lago Nembia.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Molveno
Distance: 3-5 hours, 15km, 390m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Trek to Riva del Garda
At the end of your hiking week you walk through the untouched meadows of the valley of Lomason. After that you climb up to Rifugio Monte San Pietro, where you are presented with a stunning view of Lake Garda. Walk down through winding streets and archways, past stonewalls to the castle of Tenno. On the last few kilometres of your tour you walk through olive groves and Mediterranean cypress vegetation until you reach the goal of your hiking week, the banks of Lake Garda.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Riva del Garda
Distance: 3-4 hours, 10km, 400m of ascent, 800m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure or extension
Departure your accommodation after the breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of the rooms that you need.2025 Departures: The departures are available daily, from May 3rd to October 5th, 2025.
- Single room: from EUR1348*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1049*
Accommodation on Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to half board for an extra charge.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers; however, you will be walking from town to town yourself. Tour package also includes Mendelpass mountain railway, 1 ascent fare cable for car Pradel-Molveno (only during summer season, otherwise short walk).
Also Included
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Transfers according to program
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- Service hotline
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Tourist tax
- Transfers not mentioned as ‘included’.
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Return transfer
- Upgrade to Half Board
- How hard is the Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Is this tour run in English?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included on the Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Meran start this tour?
- Where does the Alpine Crossing 3: Meran to Lake Garda Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany or Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Germany or Italy?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. You will mainly walk on well maintained walking paths, often on the Waal paths which are ancient water systems. In some sections you will be walking on forest trails and steep paths. We recommend a good basic fitness level for walking days of 3 up to 6 hours as well as for longer ascents. Easier alternatives of the daily sections are possible by bus. A varied walking tour for lovers of promising trails.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
All tour information will be provided in English. German tour package is available as well.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover trekking. Get your travel insurance.
You can get to Meran by train. The closest airport is Verona.
The tour ends in Lake Garda.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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