The Traumpfad - Munich to Venice


­­­­If yo­­­u ask a German hiker how to get to Venice the chances are they would tell you to go to Munich, find the Marienplatz, then head south across the Alps on Der Traumpfad (the Dream Way).  Thirty days later after the trip of a lifetime, you’ll have swapped the crowds of Munich’s busiest square for what Napoleon described as the ‘drawing room of Europe’, the Piazza San Marco. 
On the ferry approaching the Piazza San Marco
Der Traumpfad has the same must-do status for German walkers that the coast-to-coast has for the British. Each year hundreds of people take up the challenge and set off from Munich on a trans-alpine adventure.


Although there are a number of German language guides, the absence an English version has left Der Traumpfad virtually unknown outside central Europe. Putting this anomaly right has been an absolute pleasure. My guide, published this autumn in good time for the next year’s walking season, opens up one of Europe’s most epic walks to English speakers everywhere.

The attractions of Der Traumpfad are immediately apparent. It links two of Europe’s most iconic destinations with a journey across some of the best scenery in the world. From the heart of Bavaria - beirgarten, wurst and lederhosen - to the Adriatic coast’s prosecco, fritto misto and tiramisù, it’s a journey across cultures as well as mountains.
In the Dolomites
Like Wainwright’s coast-to-coast, Der Traumpfad is largely the product of one man’s vision (although a similar route across the Alps is said to have been used centuries earlier by aspirant Northern European artists seeking rich patrons in Italy’s city states). Der Traumpfad was developed by German alpinist Ludwig Grassler in1974 and Grassler’s first guide was published in 1977.  As an experienced mountain walker he was careful to construct a route that was direct, spectacular and accessible.   
In the Tuxer Alps
Most long distance walks involve some scenic compromise.  Breathtaking scenery doesn’t usually organise itself along a line from A to B, especially when the line is 570 km long.  Although the last 4 days, the approach to Venice, are less than perfect the rest compare with the best in the Alps.  The scenic fireworks start on days 3 and 4 with the climb up to the Benediktenwand ‘pre-alps’ and an amazing ridge walk. They continue on days 5 to 7 through the Karwendel to the highest point in the range, the Birkkarspitze.  Without time to draw breath days 8 to 12 cross the Alpine spine itself on a high traverse through the Tux and Zillertal Alps. In Italy now and more fireworks explode with arguably the most beautiful mountains in the world – the Dolomites. Days 14 to 23 are spent crossing the Puez and Sella mountains, skirting the north face of the Marmolada to then traverse around the famous west wall of the Civetta group.
Looking back to the Karwendal

As well as these scenic wonders Der Traumpfad neatly combines challenge with accessibility.  It’s designed for any able-bodied walker who can sustain daily ascents and descents of around 1000m. It will provide interesting moments for those who haven’t yet experienced the steps and fixed steel ropes that are common in the Alps and you will need a head for heights. With these caveats, and providing you keep an eye on the weather, this is a safe route and loaded memory etching highlights.

Der Trampfad does not have its own specific set of waymarks. Instead, most of it follows existing routes and some of these (such as the Alta Via 1 and 2 across the Dolomites) are famous in their own right.  The actual route is dynamic with slight differences between guidebooks and changes to reflect new circumstances.  When accommodation closes, when a landslip destroys a section of the route, or when a new footpath is opened then Der Traumpfad responds to these changes.  In developing the recommended route for this guide, this evolutionary approach has been adopted. Instead of following every step of Ludwig’s original journey this guide follows Ludwig’s dream of finding the best way from Munich to Venice.
Naked Germans!
Despite spending days between 2,000 and 3,000m of altitude, Der Traumpfad is not a walk in the wilderness.  The Alps are where adventure walking with mass appeal was invented, and alpine walkers in their thousands have enjoyed ‘Europe’s playground’ for well over a hundred years.  As a consequence the Alps have some of the world’s best walking infrastructure enabling ordinary people to go to extraordinary places. Whether it’s the paths themselves, the waymarks, the steps and fixed ropes, or the high altitude hut accommodation, there is nothing quite like it anywhere else.

Sleeping and eating in Alpine huts is a feature of Der Traumpfad, and without the huts parts of the route would be difficult to do.  If you haven’t experienced the mixed pleasures of a sleeping in a densely packed dormitory or ‘lager’, this may come as a shock.  Many of these huts however are in stunning locations and their friendly ambience more than compensates for any initial sense of discomfort (and sleep deprivation).  The numerous huts together with other accommodation options (small hotels are very reasonably priced in the summer) make planning the journey particularly easy. 
On the Forcella Torond near La Schiara
The guide breaks the journey down into 30 stages with each stage corresponding to a 6- 8 hour walking day. The availability of plentiful accommodation and public transport links, however, allow for a wide range of options when it comes to individual itineraries. Not everyone will have the time to walk Der Traumpfad in one go, but it’s easy to break it into sections and complete the route over a number of years (many Germans also take this approach).

Same lake different weather - the Junsee
Given my recent experiences of the Alps I’m starting to think that bad weather follows me there.  After years of wonderful weather, I’ve enjoyed significant August snow on my last 3 visits.  Although there is a sacrifice to be made in terms of missing the best alpine flowers, the general consensus is that the best time to leave Munich is towards the end of August, making the traverse of the Alps in September (before the huts shut), when the weather is generally more settled. This means you miss the busiest month (August) in the huts and if you’re lucky will get your own room. You will also cross the Venetian plain in late September when the heat is less intense and when the prosecco harvest is in full swing.
A very socialable walk!
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Walker’s who enjoyed Spain’s GR1, the subject of my first guide, shouldn’t expect the same thing from Der Traumpfad. The two are like chalk and cheese. While the GR1 traversed beautiful countryside with a huge historical back catalogue, I hardly saw another person when I was walking it. The paths were empty.  Der Traumpfad, on the other hand ,is a social walk.  Soon after leaving Munich you meet other walkers who are heading for the same destination and following a similar schedule.  A loose group quickly forms which eat together in the evening and shared information, stories and gossip.  It’s a great walk if you’re walking solo or as part of a group.  Of course, some people will be attracted by the social nature of the Der Traumpfad, others appalled, but I found it one of the pleasures of the journey.  So if you fancy an iconic modern day pilgrimage, with far better scenery than the medieval antecedents and without the religion, then Der Traumpfad is for you.

11 comments:

  1. Giuliano Aléssio BiondoMay 10, 2017 at 2:47 AM

    Hello, I'm sorry for my bad english. I will be at Munich at 19 of September and I wanna do it this trail to Venedig. I have 45 days to walk, but I'm afraid if all the hugs will be opened. Can you please tell me if i will found huts or albergues to do this trekking? I can't go before and i don't wanna change trekking. I really would like to do it this year. Thank you if you can help me

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    1. Hi Giuliano

      I'm afraid that you are starting just a little late. The trouble is that the trek takes 30 days so if you start in late September you will still be the mountains in mid to late October when most of the huts are shut. There are winter refuges, i.e. huts without food but my guide is written for summer walking, so doesn't include that information.

      Sorry I can't give better news

      John

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  3. I just read your story.. I am hoping for a safe return! You are in my thoughts

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  4. I would like to know if there is a luggage transfer service on that trek. thank you

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    1. Hi there, I don't think there is. Sometimes you're staying in remote places where vehicle access is difficult.
      Honestly you can travel with hardly extra gear and by the time you've packed waterproofs, spare warm gear, and water the extra associated with an evening change of clothes is marginal. My wife did the MV trail with a 24lt day bag and she managed to pack several different evening outfits. Save money, dispense with bag ahead!

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    2. And how old is your wife? And may I ask how much she weighs?

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  5. Hi John. Great website. We're thinking of starting the Traumpfad on 8th June (2024). Do you think we'll be pushing our luck re snow (and passability) on the higher stages, which we will hit on 15th June (Glungezer Hutte)?

    Thanks for sharing your adventures.

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    1. Hi Edward

      Nice to hear from you.

      June I'm afraid is too early. Most years there is snow on the passes until July. Because of the snow, the mountain huts don't open so you'll have nowhere to stay Sorry to frustrate your plans.

      Best wishes

      John

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  6. Thank you John. I feared as much. I have your brilliant Cicerone guide! Two copies, in fact, because we’re been contemplating this for 3-4 years and mislaid our original copy.

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