Monday, August 22, 2022 - Sunday, September 4, 2022
Alps,
International,
Germany, Austria, Italy
Der Traumpfad ("Dream Way" in German) from München to Venedig is like a modern day pilgrimage-a long walk to an iconic destination but without the religious overtones. It is one of the most popular trans-alpine treks, but little known outside the German speaking world. Prolific guide book author John Hayes writes that he has "crossed the Alps on foot many other times but this was the best." The "Dream Way" links two of Europe's most iconic destinations with a journey across some of the best scenery in the Alps. From the heart of Bavaria, from biergartens, wurst, and lederhosen, to the Adriatic and prosecco, fritto misto and tiramisù-it's a journey across cultures as well as mountains. The entire trail is 569km (335mi) with 30,290m (93,900') of elevation change. To manage the itinerary within the typically available vacation time of two weeks, we plan to section walk the trail over two years, two weeks per year: in 2021 from Munich in Germany, through Austria, to Pfunders in Italy; and in 2022 continue through the Dolomites to Venice. We will use public transportation to traverse some of the flatter, less interesting parts of the journey. Participants in Part I will have priority to register for Part II. We will hike every day with a typical altitude gain of 850m (2635') and a distance covered of 16km (9.4 miles). We will be outdoors eight hours per day of which six hours are hiking and the balance for lunch, taking pictures, & smelling the fresh air. The trip is a true alpine experience containing sections with exposure, use of cables for security, short ladder sections, etc. This trip is aimed at seasoned trekkers and is rated strenuous. We will spend every night in either hotels or mountain huts. Blankets and pillows will be provided. Participants must bring a sleeping bag liner (sleep sack) to use instead of sheets. Accommodations are typically in a bunk room with 4-12 people of mixed gender. Mattresses are either side-by-side or in two-level bunk beds. Alternatively, we may sometimes have two persons (same sex) per room sharing two adjacent mattresses in a single bed frame.
