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30
Nov 2024
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07
Dec 2024

E5 (European long-distance hiking trail)

Overcoming limits and boundaries

The European long-distance hiking trail on 3200 kilometers from the French Atlantic coast to Venice culminates in the crossing of the Alps. The queen's stage leads surefooted hikers with excellent stamina and a good head for heights from Pitztal via Ötztal and Timmelsjoch Pass to Moos in Passeier. A new alternative offers border-cross hikers an attractive route plus useful services.

Ötztal long-distance hiking folder

Via Timmelsjoch Pass to South Tyrol

Long-distance hikers don't just cross geographical borders. Physical, psychological and sometimes spiritual limits can be explored as well. The new queen's stage of the E5 in Ötztal is dedicated to the exact perception and the shifting of these borders, leading from Braunschweiger Hütte in Pitztal via Vent and Obergurgl into Northern Italy's Passeiertal valley in two or three days. Since September 2018, specially designed welcome steles inform hikers about the topic at the starting points while text stones are positioned along the hiking route, displaying selected quotes on borders and boundaries. You can share your impressions in a hiking book at Timmelsjoch. An embossed stamp makes a perfect souvenir to take home with you.
 

Sponsored joint project

The new attractions along the queen's stage were realized as part of a cross-border joint project of the municipality of Moos in Passeier and Ötztal Tourismus. The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund / Interreg V-A Italy-Austria 2014-2020.

Timmelsjoch High Alpinestreet Landscape Ötztal

Original route

E5 Ötztal Hiking Landscape Panorama

European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King’s Segment – Braunschweiger Hut to Zwieselstein (original route)


This particularly challenging segment of the trail starts at the Braunschweiger Hut (2,758 m) with a rather steep and difficult ascent to the Pitztaler Jöchl saddle (3,000 m)...
 

Route description

E5 Obergurgl Timmelsjoch Hiking Landscape

European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Zwieselstein to Moos in Passeier (original route)


This is a technically easy segment of the E5. However, it is long and strenuous with lots of vertical metres...
 

Route description

Alternative route

E5 Vent Braunschweigerhut Hiking Landscape

European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Braunschweiger Hut to Vent (alternative route)


This particularly challenging segment of the trail starts at the Braunschweiger Hut (2,758 m) with a rather steep and difficult ascent to the Pitztaler Jöchl saddle (3,000 m)...
 

Route description

E5 Hiking Ötztal Landscape Panorama

European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Vent to Obergurgl (alternative route)


This E5 segment in high-alpine terrain is physically challenging and full of scenic highlights. Starting in the mountaineering village of Vent, a rather steep trail will take you across the Ramoljoch saddle (3,189 m) to Obergurgl...
 

Route description

E5 Hiking Landscape Panorama Obergurgl

European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Obergurgl to Moos in Passeier (alternative route)


Obergurgl is the starting point for this alternative route. Walk across beautiful slopes full of alpine roses as the trail steadily climbs to the Königstal valley...
 

Route description

Frequently asked questions about the E5 European long-distance hiking trail

How is the E5 hiking trail?

The European E5 long-distance hiking trail, also known as E5 long-distance hiking trail, covers a total of 3200 kilometers, stretching from the French Atlantic coast across the Alps to Venice. The high alpine queen's stage leads from Braunschweiger Hütte via Zwieselstein in Ötztal and Timmelsjoch pass to the South Tyrol's Passeiertal valley. HERE you will find a detailed description of the route and further information on the queen's stage, which leads through Upper Ötztal.

How difficult is the E5?

A long-distance hiking trail of more than 3200 kilometers is of course physically challenging. Especially the queen's stage from Braunschweiger Hütte in upper Pitztal via Zwieselstein in Ötztal and Timmelsjoch pass requires a lot of stamina, but also surefootedness. However, if you want to cross the Alps on the E5 European long-distance hiking trail, you should have an excellent basic level of stamina, feel comfortable on (high) alpine climbs and be able to cover a distance of up to 14 daily kilometers or 1400 altitude meters while carrying a backpack. HERE you will find a detailed description of the route and further information on the queen's stage, which leads through Upper Ötztal.

How much does it cost to cross the Alps?

The costs for an Alpine crossing strongly depend on several factors: how many nights will you stay overnight in a mountain hut? Is there a luggage service or passenger transport? Do you do the alpine hike alone or together with a mountain guide? Depending on all these basic conditions, the expenses can vary. And yet a certain sum can be estimated: about € 300 to € 600 (without travel costs) must be calculated for an individual crossing of the Alps.

Ötztal in Tirol is home to one of the most beautiful and spectacular crossings of the Eastern Alps along the queen's stage of the E5 European long-distance hiking trail. HERE you will find out everything about the ingenious cross-border hiking tour. Thanks to Ötztaler Urweg or Ötztal Trek, Tirol's longest side valley also boasts other exciting long-distance hiking options.

Where is the E5?

The scenic E5 European long-distance hiking trail starts in Pointe du Raz on the Atlantic coast, France's westernmost mainland point. The long-distance hiking trail covers a total of 3200 kilometers, leading through France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy before reaching its destination in Venice.

The high alpine queen's stage leads from Braunschweiger Hütte via Zwieselstein in Ötztal and Timmelsjoch pass to South Tyrol's Passeiertal valley. HERE you will find a detailed description of the route and further information on this impressive stage which leads through Upper Ötztal in Tirol.