of maps at 1:50,000 for greater clarity. These show all the features highlighted in bold in the route descriptions, as well as using occasional numbered points for reference where a navigation decision is required at a place without an obvious feature. The maps and route descriptions, used in conjunction with printed maps or GPS information, should help you make sense of what you see on the ground.
Also included are profiles of each stage of the route that show the climbs involved and the time taken to get from one key point to the next. Once in the mountains it should be easy to see how your performance compares with the timings given and adapt the guide timings to your own pace.
The route summary table at the start of the book gives a quick overview of the distance, walking time and ascent/descent for each stage and section. Various appendices are also provided to help you get the most out of your Munich to Venice experience. Appendix A– the trek planner – provides a schedule of stages along with points with accommodation along the route, giving distances and estimated walking times between them. This is designed to help you plan alternative itineraries. On some parts of the route the limited amount of accommodation means that the German schedule described in the 30 stages in this guide has to be followed but on other parts you have a real choice. Appendix B brings together the contact details of the facilities referred to in the route descriptions and the trek planner and Appendix C is a list of other useful contacts to help you plan your perfect Munich to Venice mountain pilgrimage.
Panorama Hohenweg (Stage 12A)
1 MUNICH TO THE INN VALLEY
Descending to Peteralm (Stage 4)
First sight of the Alps (Stage 2)
This first section of the route is an ideal way to start a major multi-day hike. The first two days are uncomplicated and give you a chance to warm up for the alpine adventure ahead.
The walk starts in Munich, Germany’s third biggest city, dynamic, fast growing and very accessible. Most walkers travelling from abroad will probably arrive a day early in time for an early start next day and, if so, there is plenty to see. Consider looking at St Johann Nepomuk, better known as the Asam Church, a beautiful and very sumptuous Baroque church or, if you want to limber up, take a walk through the English Garden, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Section 1 could be broken down into three distinct legs. The first takes two and half days and follows the River Isar south from Munich to Lenggries. Despite starting in the middle of Munich the route is surprisingly quiet and for the most part follows a pretty riverside walk. It travels through the Isar Tal Verein a ‘citizens’ park’ acquired through money raised by subscription in 1902. A response to concerns that the environment was being damaged by industrial development, it was one of the first parks of its kind in the world. The walk is a long one so expect hot feet and blisters if you’re not careful.
The second leg crosses the Benediktenwand, part of the Bavarian pre-Alps. The term ‘pre-Alps’ suggests ‘foothills’ but these are proper mountains. After two and half days of flat walking an 800m climb will come as a shock, a shock compounded by arguably the most demanding ridge walk of the whole Traumpfad.
The third leg leaves Germany and heads into Austria, crossing the Karwendel and tackling another exciting climb up to the Birkkarspitz. A long and stunning descent down the valley to Kastenalm follows before climbing next day over the Lafatscherjoch and into the Inn Valley.
Access and accommodation
If you want to walk this first section in isolation, getting to and from the Inn Valley, a main transit route through Austria, is easy. Options include (from either Hall or Wattens) a train to Innsbruck airport or a train to Munich for a return flight.
Accommodation is in a mix of mountain huts and small alpine hotels. The Karwendel Haus, just before the Birkkarspitz, is particularly good, and you can get a two-person room if you book early enough.
Taking the easy way up
KEY INFORMATION
| Distance | 154km (or 159km following Stage 7B) |
| Total ascent | 5320m |
| Total descent | 6620m |
| Alternative schedule | The Inn Valley can be crossed in different ways, including an option that reduces the overall schedule by a day. The alternatives are outlined in the introduction to Stage 7. |
STAGE 1
Munich to Wolfratshausen
| Start | Marienplatz (521m) |
| Distance | 34km |
| Ascent/Descent | 140m/90m |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Walking time | 8hr 10min |
| Maximum altitude | 574m |
| Refreshments | There are plenty of places along the route to stop for lunch but if you’d prefer a picnic then Pullach has a particularly good baker and tempting local cheesecake. |
| Routefinding | The route is flat and easy to follow and there are several types of waymark providing direction to Wolfratshausen. Beware, however, no single set of waymarks leads to your destination and a wrong turn, annoying on what is a long day, is possible. The most helpful signs are the yellow Isartal Verein markers. Also useful are the Jacobswege signs (part of the trans-European St James’ Way network). |
Despite the fact that Stage 1 starts right in the heart of the third largest city in Germany this first stage is an enjoyable one. Making use of a long green finger that follows the River Isar through the city, it doesn’t feel urban and makes a pleasant way to warm up for the journey ahead.
The walk starts at the Marienplatz (521m), Munich’s main city centre square.
The square is dominated by the ‘new’ City Hall, a huge neo-Gothic building constructed towards the end of the 19th century. In the summer the square is generally packed with tourists, so taking unobstructed farewell pictures can be a challenge.
Leave the square on its southeast side and head along the Tal past Macdonalds, Burger King and the Schneiderweiss Brauhaus, one of the city’s best known drinking establishments. Pass the old city gates (Isartor) and after crossing a potentially busy junction continue southeast down the Isartorplatz into the Zweibrückenstraße and to the bridge over the River Isar. Don’t cross the bridge but turn right, heading down the Erhardstraße. After 300m turn left over a bridge and pass through the courtyard of the Deutsches Museum and then over another bridge (the museum is on an island in the river). Turn right after the bridge (1) onto a footpath running parallel with a cycle path and head southwest. Although you are still in the city your hard surface walking has now finished.
Continue southwest along a riverside walkway for 4km. Don’t
