The Dream Way:Trekking Munich–Venice Part ITrip #2236 scheduled 22 August–4 September 2022

Der Traumpfad (“Dream Way” in German) from München to Venedig is like a modern daypilgrimage—a long walk to an iconic destination but without the religious overtones. It is one ofthe most popular trans-alpine treks, but little known outside the German speaking world. Prolificguide book author John Hayes writes that he has “crossed the Alps on foot many other timesbut this was the best.”

The “Dream Way” links two of Europe’s most iconic destinations with a journey across some ofthe best scenery in the Alps. From the heart of Bavaria, from biergartens, wurst, andlederhosen, to the Adriatic and prosecco, fritto misto and tiramisù—it’s a journey across culturesas well as mountains.

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The route’s origin has a unique history. Rather than being developed by a national alpine club, itwas the invention of just one German man, Ludwig Grassler. The final route plan was set in1974. Just like Wainwright’s famous ‘coast-to-coast’ walk across England, one man’s vision hasresulted in many thousands of hikers following this route each year.

One Journey in Two Parts over Two YearsThe 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 tosection walk the trail over two years, two weeks per year: in 2022 from Munich in Germany,through Austria, to Pfunders in Italy. In 2023 we continue through the Dolomites to Venice. Wewill 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.

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We use the reference guide Trekking Munich to Venice by John Hayes.

Trip Itinerary and DescriptionWe will meet in Munich, a major airport hub, skip the initial flat section to Bad Tölz, follow theDream Way, stop along the way for a day of local hiking/cultural opportunities in Innsbruck, andfinish fourteen days later in Pfunders, Italy.

Zillertaler Alps [courtesy Marcus Rahm]

To ease our adjustment to the new time zone we will spend the first evening in Munich. Asidefrom the travel days of arrival and departure, we will hike every day with a typical altitude gain of850m (2635’) and a distance covered of 16km (9.4 miles). We will be outdoors eight hours perday of which six hours are hiking and the balance for lunch, taking pictures, & smelling the freshair. The trip is a true alpine experience containing sections with exposure, use of cables forsecurity, short ladder sections, etc. This trip is aimed at seasoned trekkers and is ratedstrenuous.

LodgingWe will spend every night in either hotels or mountain huts. Blankets and pillows will beprovided. Participants must bring a sleeping bag liner (sleep sack) to use instead of sheets.

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Accommodations are typically in a bunk room with 4–12 people of mixed gender. Mattresses areeither side-by-side or in two-level bunk beds. Alternatively, we may sometimes have twopersons (same sex) per room sharing two adjacent mattresses in a single bed frame.

Opererhuette [courtesy Frederich Boehringer]

ItineraryDay Activities

Sunday 22 August 2022 Depart USA to Munich (MUC)

Monday 23 August: Munich Arrive Munich. Settle in. On-your-own tourtown, Deutsches Museum, BMW factory,English Garden, & Marienplatz.

Tuesday 24 August: Tutzinger Hütte🔄book time 5h:00m ➡distance 19.5km⬆ascent 350m ⬇descent 570m

Post office to mail extra gear to the finaldestination. Train to Bad Tölz. Walk 3km onthe River Isar path. Cable car toBrauneckhaus avoids steep forest climb.Walk on ridge ascending & descendingmini-summits. Several places have ladders &

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fixed ropes—first of many on the Traumpfad.

Wednesday 25 August: Vorderriß🔄7:20 ➡18.0km ⬆710m ⬇1,270m

Warm up on the mountain side climb.Descent through a path of mixed deciduous &coniferous trees, river, & waterfall. Continuethrough meadows & farmsteads. Climb toRißattel pass for excellent views before steepdescent to hut.

Thursday 26 August: Karwendelhaus🔄7:10 ➡24.0km ⬆1,050m ⬇50m

Cross the border into Austria. EnterKarwendel National Park. The scenery is trulyspectacular. The entire day is one longmellow climb that gets progressively steeperas we reach Hochalmsattel pass, 15 minutesbefore hut.

Friday 27 August: Hallerangerhaus🔄5:30 ➡16.5km ⬆796m ⬇56m

Taxi transfer to Gasthaus Wiesenhof justoutside of Scharnitz. Gentle climb along thevalley on forest route 224 to Kastenalm, atraditional farmhouse serving beer, buttermilk,cold meat, & cake. Continue through alpinemeadow. Deutscher Alpenverein flag on ourhut visible ahead.

Saturday 28 August: Wattens🔄6:10 ➡19.0km ⬆440m ⬇1,460m

Climb 300m to Laftcherjoch at 2,081m to viewInn river valley & Tux alps. Rest of the day ismostly long mild descents. Food stop at StMagdalena. Most of the original monasterywas destroyed in an earthquake in the 17th

century. Wattens is a small industrial townhome to the Swarovski glass-cutting factory &Crystal Worlds visitor center.

Sunday 29 August: Wattens Rest day. Several options within 15 minutesof Wattens: 1) Innsbruck was the capital ofTyrol, the region through which folks hiked inthe middle ages. It became an important partof Austria in the 1500's. Until WWI the Tyrolencompassed the Dolomites. Even thoughtoday they belong to Italy, they are still knownas Sud-Tyrol. We will visit them in Part II.Innsbruck highlights include the magnificentDom zu St Jakob church, the Imperial Palace,the historic pedestrian center, SchlossAmbras overlooking Innsbruck, the GoldenesDachl and the Nordkette cable car to themountains above Innsbruck. 2) Hall in Tirol -

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center of the historically significant salt miningindustry that began in the middle ages.Historic town, fascinating salt mining museum

Monday 30 August: Lizumer Hütte🔄7:40 ➡17.0km ⬆1,760m ⬇210m

The walk up the valley is best described aspleasant rather than exciting. Initially on theside of the valley the route passes throughold farming villages, some of which now havea suburban feel. It drops down, tracking ariver through conifers, before climbing into anopen alpine landscape and then making thefinal approach to the hut.

Tuesday 31 August: Tuxer Joch Haus🔄6:30 ➡10.0km ⬆1,140m ⬇870m

Complete the Tux alps traverse to welcomethe Zillertal alps. Climb to Geierjoch at2,743m. Walk gentle contour around the headof a valley featuring a glacial lake for anopportunity to swim. Climb toGschützspizsatter at 2,657m. Steep descentalong a grassy mountainside down a valleybedecked with waterfalls. Final climb to hutwith great views of Hintertux glacier.

Wednesday 1 September: Olpererhütte🔄6:30 ➡11.0km ⬆1,100m ⬇500m

Highlight is Friesenbergscharte at 2,904mthrough confined space between the HoherRiffler at 3,231m & theGefrorene-Wand-Spitzen at 3,288m. Climbalongside a rapidly retreating glacier.Descend from the pass on a stretch ofsustained steel cable assisted walking. Mergewith Berliner Höhenweg, one of the mostwell-known & alluring trails in Austria. Cross asuspension bridge just before the hut.

Thursday 2 September: Stein🔄5:30 ➡13.0km ⬆400m ⬇1,310m

Walk on a beautifully engineered contour pathknown as the Panorama Höhenweg - it is apure delight. Like most contour paths in theAlps the route is far from flat and, as itmeanders its way into side valleys & aroundstreams, it does not feel very direct either.However, the constant views east into thehighest mountains of the Zillertal are a greatreward.

Friday 3 September: Hochfeilerhütte🔄5:30 ➡8.5km ⬆1,192m ⬇30m

In Italy, with glimpses of the Dolomites, it istempting to think that the last lap has started,at least for our walk this year. Amazing views

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of the Hochfeiler, the highest mountain in theZillertal Alps, & Höher Weißzint and theglacier that flows down it. Our hut at 2,715mpractices “Cooking with love provides food forthe soul”.

Saturday 4 September: Bressanone🔄6:00 ➡18.0km ⬆483m ⬇2,028m

After a short descent from the hut, the realwork begins as the route climbs steeply butsteadily up to the Gliderschartl at 2,644m.Continue south from the pass to the littleglacial lake, where hardy swimmers might betempted to take a dip. Look south to thehorizon where in good weather the distinctprofile of the Dolomites should be visible.Arrive Pfunders after a long descent. Bus toBressanone.

Sunday 5 September: depart Bus or train to the airport. Flight to the USA.

Terms and ConditionsPlease refer to Terms & Conditions regarding the AMC Adventure Travel, dated 20 July 2020:

● Cancellation Policy● Leaders’ Right to Change Itinerary● Leaders’ Expectations of Participants● Trip Price● Travel Documents● Safety● Activity Rating System

PriceCost is US$2,750 per club member shared occupancy. Non-members add US$100. Deposit ofUS$1,000 is due with application. Balance of US$1,750 is due by 1 March 2022.

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Karwendelhaus [courtesy Andreas Ruech]

Includes:● Thirteen nights of lodging.● Breakfast and dinner for the entire trip, not including travel days, starting with dinner on

Monday 23 August 2022 through breakfast on Sunday 5 September 2022.● All transport within the trip including buses, taxis, & cable cars.● Emergency medical & evacuation insurance coverage.

Does not include:● Airfare. We estimate the cost for a round trip ticket between Boston & Munich about

$1,250.● Lunches, beverages, & incidental expenses.● Local transport between arrival airport & beginning of the trip.● Local transport between the end of the trip & the departure airport.● Local transportation and activities on Sunday 29 August 2022.● Insurance for travel delay, interruption, cancellation, or for baggage loss. If the possibility

of such problems concerns you, individual travel insurance is suggested. The AMC has arecommended vendor whose material will be sent to you if your application is accepted.

RegistrationWe expect a group size of 12 people, including the 2 leaders. This trip is likely to fill quickly. Youshould apply as soon as possible.

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Bressanone town festival [courtesy Stephen Cohen]

To apply, you must review, complete, and submit the application form which consists of:

● Application● Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release form● Medical Questionnaire

Full link to the form athttps://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=1WPPEIVo2067f46l1-dGypUwYmi-7bVFrwmao--wzJ1UOFYwRE84VlhCNjVNMzZUQ0wwRUNQVDVVRS4u

Mail deposit separately to address on the form.

You will not be accepted and your check will not be deposited until the leaders have determinedby telephone conversation with you that you and the trip are a good match. Deposit checks fromwait-listed applicants will not be cashed until a spot is available, the applicant is accepted ontothe trip, & they confirm their continued interest.

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Leaders

Rami HaddadRami is an active AMC leader with Adventure Travel, Bicycle, Ski, & Family committees. Hetravelled throughout the Alps region on several trips for hiking, bicycle touring, sightseeing, &Ironman Switzerland. He has been on extended trekking & bicycle tours through the PacificNorthwest, Pacific Coast, Rocky Mountains, China, Japan, France, & Germany. Contact Rami at+1-857-288-8571 or mcccxxv@outlook.com.

Steve CohenSince 2012 Steve has been an active AMC adventure travel leader. He has planned and ledtwenty-seven hiking/ trekking-oriented Adventure Travel trips to such destinations the HauteRoute (from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland), the Alta Via II through the ItalianDolomites, the tour of the Jungfrau region (Switzerland), Patagonia, the high mountains huts ofAustria, etc. His website www.adventuretravelwithsteve.com contains both photographs anditineraries of all past and upcoming trips. He lived in Europe for four years and is fluent in both

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French and German. Steve is the chair of Adventure Travel. Contact Steve at 617-997-6861 orscohen1234@gmail.com.

Packing List

BackpackWe cannot emphasize enough the attention you need to give for choosing the correct pack andpack weight.

● Size & weight (without water or food) matter. Aim for 32 liters & 5kg (11lb) forcomfortable light hike that allows you to run up the mountain. Cannot fit everything in?Try 35 liters & 6kg (13lb), trading some comfort with a third change of clothes. Youcannot hike without those extra equipment “just in case”, no matter how much yourshoulders ache & feet suffer? Go all out with 38 liters & 7kg (15lb). But remember, “weyou told so”. Do not bother coming on the trip with anything larger & heavier.

● Fit matters: get the right fit for your torso. Ever wondered what all these straps are for?Stop by your REI or local outdoor store for proper fitting.

● Packing matters: keep heavy items in the middle to lower part of the pack, close to yourback. Light items go on the outer & top layers. But none of this matters, because yourwhole pack is very light, right?

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Zillertal Alps [courtesy Eberhard Grossgasteiger]

Required● Passport. Tourist visa not required for US citizens. For other citizens, check with the

German embassy. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the start dateof the trip

● Broken-in waterproof hiking boots● Two or three sets of hiking socks. Some participants choose to use liners as well.● Non-cotton hiking clothes (tops & bottoms)● Sleeping bag liner (sleep sack)● Waterproof wind and rain gear (tops & bottoms)● Wool sweater, or synthetic fleece jacket● Long underwear top and bottom● Hat for warmth● Gloves or mittens● Polypropylene, Coolmax, Bergelene or other synthetic extra layer clothing● Sunglasses● Hat or bandanna for sun protection● Sunscreen

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● Sandals/crocs/etc to wear in huts, which do NOT permit the wearing of hiking bootsoutside of the public areas

● Headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries● Unbreakable bottles or hydration bladder (at least 3 liters total capacity)● Waterproof pack liner and/or pack cover● High-energy trail snacks● Toiletry kit (many huts do not supply soap or shampoo)● Camp towel (most huts do not supply towels)● Ear plugs or earbuds (noise-cancelling the best) if sensitive to noise at night● Personal first aid kit (leaders will have a group first aid kit)● Whistle● Lip protection balm● Toilet paper and plastic bags for carrying out the used paper

OptionalThe following is a long list of optional items to bring. Use it as a reminder of additional items thatcan make your trip more comfortable.

● Casual clothing for use in a hut● Gaiters: for rain● Hiking poles: check-in luggage, not carry on● Small knife: check-in luggage, not carry on● Synthetic line, safety pins or clips, and either soap or detergent for in-room laundry● Zip lock bags● Reusable plastic container(s) for lunch & snacks● Reading material: on your phone is best● Smartphone● Camera● Batteries & charger● Electrical adapter: plug type C same as for most of Europe

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