Der The Merano High Mountain Trail

Scenic hut hike in the Texel Group

Nature Park The Merano High Mountain Trail is one of the most beautiful circular hiking trails in the Alps. The trail, marked with no. 24, was created by AVS mountain guides Robert Schönweger and Helmuth Ellmenreich and opened in 1985. In five to eight daily stages, experienced and sure-footed mountaineers hike nearly 100 kilometers around the Texel Group Nature Park, accompanied by views of the mountain landscape of the Merano region, the Val Venosta Valley, and, in clear weather, the Dolomites and the Ortler Massif.

While the southern part leads through Mediterranean vegetation, hikers find themselves in high alpine mountain landscapes on the northern sections. Along the Merano High Mountain Trail, hikers gain insight into the world of South Tyrolean mountain farmers, who have created and maintained this mountain and cultural landscape over centuries. The numerous ascent and descent options to the Merano High Mountain Trail allow starting the hike at various places or descending into the valley. The approaches are easily accessible by cable cars, public transport, car, or taxi. Some spots along the trail require surefootedness, a head for heights, and attention. In exposed places, there are chains, ropes, or railings for safety. Numerous refreshment and overnight options are available along the route. Quality is a priority at all establishments along the trail, and typical South Tyrolean dishes make the hike a culinary experience.

Hikers are also catered for 7 days a week at the Patleidhof.

The Merano High Mountain Trail

Start and end points:

Katharinaberg (Senales Valley), Unterstell (Naturns), Hochmuth (Dorf Tirol), Ulfas (Passeier Valley), Vellau (Algund), Giggelberg (Partschins), Pfossental (Senales Valley), Pfelders, Christl, Matatz (Passeier Valley)


  • Duration: 5 - 8 days
  • Length: approx. 100 km
  • Elevation difference: 5,100 m
  • Difficulty: for experienced mountain hikers
  • Best time: from July 1st to the end of September

Best hiking times:

Merano High Mountain Trail South: May – October (depending on snow conditions, possibly longer).
Merano High Mountain Trail North: End : End of June – September (depending on snow conditions)
Entire circular trail: July – end of September

Hiking paradise Merano High Mountain Trail

"Hiking is an activity of the legs and a state of the soul."
(Josef Hofmiller, writer and teacher)

Long-Distance Hiking Trail E5

Hiking through the Alpine countries.

The classic Alpine crossing: a 6-day hike on the E5 from Oberstdorf to Merano through the Allgäu, Lechtal, and Ötztal Alps.

For many hikers, crossing the Alpine arc is a long-cherished dream. From valley to valley and from peak to peak, not only on the classic long-distance hiking trail from Munich to Venice, but also on the E5. The Alpine crossing leads in six days along the most famous and popular section from Oberstdorf to Merano. The first four days follow the "classic" E5, then a variant to Merano. Three countries are hiked through in six days, with the surrounding mountain world changing almost hourly. In total, this tour covers 4950 meters of ascent and 6470 meters of descent. On foot, we cover 106 km. There are numerous options for overnight stays and meals along the way. The accommodation options for this tour range from huts to alpine pastures to hotels. Depending on personal preference, one can choose rustic or more comfortable accommodation. Catering can be booked at every hut.

Requirements for an Alpine crossing on the E5


  • Day 1: From Oberstdorf (Spielmannsau) to the Kemptner Hut
  • Day 2: From the Kemptner Hut to the Memminger Hut
  • Day 3: From the Memminger Hut to Zams
  • Day 4: From Zams to the Braunschweiger Hut
  • Day 5: From the Braunschweiger Hut to the Martin-Busch Hut
  • Day 6: From the Martin-Busch Hut to the Tisenhof in Vernagt
  • In two further stages to Merano or stop at the Patleidhof
  • All information on the Alpine crossing on the long-distance hiking trail E5
The Merano High Mountain Trail
Contact us:
Patleidhof
Sonnenberg 47
I-39025 Naturno [BZ] - South-Tirol
Mobil: +39 346 3269105
Email: info@patleidhof.it

IVA number.: BRHRMN83H06I729C

Bank details:
  • Raiffeisenbank - IBANK:
  • IT 93 T0815758630000300258172
  • SWIFT-CODE: RZSBIT21022
  • Country: IT
  • Cin-Eu: 93
  • Cin: T
  • ABI: 08157
  • CAB: 58630
  • Bank account number: 000300258172