European E5 long-distance trail: Hirzer Hut - Meraner Hut

The European hiking trail E5 is 3,200 kilometres long and leads from the Atlantic coast of France across the Alps to Venice. A highlight of the entire trail leads through the hiking area of Schenna, via the Hirzer Hut to the Meraner Hut on Meran 2000.

The European long-distance hiking trail E5 is 3,200 kilometers long and leads from the Atlantic coast of France, over the Alps, to Venice. A section of the long-distance hiking trail number 5 runs through South Tyrol in four stages, one of which goes through the Hirzer hiking area. From the Hirzerhütte hut (1,980 m), which was inaugurated in 1874 as the first Alpine Club hut in South Tyrol, it goes over the Hirzerscharte to the Kratzberger See at 2,128 m and further to the Meraner Hütte hut.

The starting point of this challenging mountain hike is the top station of the Hirzer cable car. From here, you first hike on a wide, flat path to the Hirzerhütte hut and then to the Tallner Alm Kaser mountain inn. From here, you ascend steeply on the "Gebirgsjägersteig", partly secured with ropes, to the Hirzerscharte. Once at the top, you briefly walk along the ridge towards the Hirzerspitze peak, and then descend the "Gebirgsjägersteig" to the Kratzbergersee lake. Passing the lake, you continue on the narrow path to the Missensteiner Joch and then to the Meraner Hütte hut. Through trail no. 14 and then no. 17, you reach the top station of the Meran 2000 cable car, which takes you back to Meran.

From Merano in the direction of Schenna and on to Verdins to the valley station of the cable car Verdins-Tall.
From Merano in the direction of Passeiertal Valley and on to Saltaus to the valley station oft the cable car Hirzer.

• Free parking lot cabel car Hirzer

• Bus line 231 from Schenna to Merano (bus stop: Plankensteinstraße)
• Bus line 240 from Meran to Passeiertal Valley (bus stop: Saltaus – cable car Hirzer)
• For the return bus line 232 from Merano 2000 valley station back to Schenna

Only for hikers who are sure-footed and free from giddiness.

Before setting out on your day excursion, please make sure of the weather and trail conditions. 

Alpine boots