Traumpfad Munich - Venice - 2009
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Traumpfad Munich - Venice // The Pre-Alps
The first leg of the Traumpfad Munich - Venice officially starts at the Marienplatz in Munich. From there you reach the "Deutsches Museum" via the Viktualienmarkt, then gradually leave the Bavarian state capital along the planet path.
On the way you will soon meet the first hiking fellows who are also on their way to the Alps. Pascal and I were very pleased when we happened to meet Ludwig Graßler. He first described the path many years ago and has run it again at the age of more than 80 years. However no longer in one piece and not with so much luggage. At one point he was really not wrong: we do not need a sleeping bag or camping mats, there is accommodation everywhere.
I particularly liked the gradual approach to the mountains with this section in the Pre-Alps. In Munich there is really not much to see from the mountains, but every day one gets a lot closer to the mountains. It is also very easy training to get used to long distance hiking. So the first real altitude meters do not meet quite so unprepared.
After the first nights in hotels or guesthouses, the "Hüttenleben" (live in the mountain lodges) starts. I always liked it, even if the first experiences with snoring in the room were not so positive. Earplugs, the things are simply a must if you do not want to suffer too much from the strange noises of the fellow human beings. The cabins are now almost on hotel level, which is partly a bit sad. The original character is lost. But one must also take into account the increasing influx of visitors in the mountains. The technology on the huts fascinated me everywhere. Solar systems here, UV water treatment with battery supply there or combined heat and power plants which provide electricity and heat in the hut.
Traumpfad Munich - Venice // The Karwendel Mountains
With the entry into the Karwendel mountain range, we soon realized that we are not in the middle mountains, but in the Alps. The first climbs were quite exhausting. The bigger the joy, when we could say tired but satisfied in the evening: Next stage managed!
It is a long way to Venice. And as so often, when one is at the very beginning of such a long journey, a great uncertainty is spreading. If you make the route, you have enough clothes, the time is really sufficient for the entire hike and finally: How is the weather. You just have to be very patient and rely on yours and the experiences of others. This uncertainty always exists when one is faced with something new. But from such experiences one can learn and finally also grow in them.
By reaching the federal border to Austria, we reached an important milestone for us after a few days. After all, we walked from Munich to Austria. This gives us an incentive for the further stages, even if, of course, the bones are tired in the evening and need a certain warm-up phase in the morning.
There are, as it is known, many Voodoo wisdoms when it comes to the question of making a long-distance hike or not. Some say, after three days many give up, others would give up after 7 days and so on. Well, we have never really had a reason to deal with the thought at all!
The stage in the Karwendelgebirge was quite short, because after a few days we reach Wattens in the Inn Valley. From here, the Central Alps begin.
Traumpfad Munich - Venice // The Central Alps
With the arrival in Wattens, Pascal and I separate ourselves from a few pieces of equipment. Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, digesters and a few other things, start the early journey home. In the post office, we find that we are not the first Munich - Venice hikers who want to get rid of a few kilograms of weight here.
Since life on the huts is quite costly, we have tried to find a healthy mediocre between self-catering and cottage-food. Of course, the technical installations already mentioned are very costly to purchase and the maintenance of the huts is also very expensive. We note, however, that a hut evening with dinner, bed and breakfast on average hits 50 euros. On 29 or 30 stages, we are already worried about the travel budget. On one or the other evening we refused the warm supper and eat of the provisions.
We had always enough provisions. Now, even if it is only a matter of large quantities of biscuits, cheese and bread, we have always been satisfied. On the obligatory apple for dessert or for between we did not dispense. There was finally a bit more space in the backpack since Wattens!
On our way through the Alps we can experience the climate change live. The sections of the trail, which are still described as tracks across the glacier area in the guide, now run only over gravel. The Tuxer Glacier ends in the middle of the hiking trail.
By reaching the border to Italy, we also reach the next major milestone on our hike. A simple stone border marking is the federal border. South Tyrol welcomes us with its beautiful mountains and lush pastures. Here we will also take our first break on the way to Venice. After almost two weeks of hiking, we realize that a day of rest would be good for us. What is clear, however, is that the thing is going to end in any case!
Traumpfad Munich - Venice // The Dolomites
After our rest day, we continue our tour exactly at the same place where friends have picked us two days ago: At the village square in Lüsen. After all, we want to go every kilometer to Venice and do not cheat. As good as the rest was, it takes a while to get back to our "everyday rhythm".
I would like to describe this section of our hiking trip as a royal set. The Dolomites are really a very impressive mountain! The "highlight" of our hike is indisputably the Piz Boe. With its 3152m heights, he is the highest point of our hike and neither Pascal nor I have ever stayed at such a high altitude. The small Refugio Capanna Fassa in which we stayed was very comfortable, but offered only little space to stay. On superfluous luxury, like a shower, you have to relinquish at this level of height. The food was great. This is by no means obvious in all huts. The Tissi Hut shows us that you can pay a lot for just a little food. And cold was the food.
Overlooking the Marmolada glacier we reach Allhege, on the lake of the same name.
The very rustic Rifugio Pina de Fortuno is our last hut in the Dolomites. After a few wonderful days in the Dolomites we arrive with the town of Belluno the southern end of the mountain chain. Meanwhile, the weather has also set for autumn and will bring the first snow of this winter in the next days from an altitude of 2000 meters nad more. The last stage in the Dolomites has not made it easy for us. The bypass of the "Schiara", the via ferrata, was impassable. Alternatives are also no longer available due to avalanches. So Pascal and me could only do the descent into the Piave valley.
Traumpfad Munich - Venice // The Piave plain and Venice
With the arrival of the town of Priula, our last section begins on our hike to Venice: The Italian Plain.
This begins what can be safely designated as a duty kilometer. The route runs through endless and shadowless dikes of the Piave. Often it simply goes out just for hours. This makes it simple for navigation, but is totally boring.
We tear down the kilometers and enjoy a nice evening at the beach in Lido de Jesolo. Bathing in the sea was a wonderful change to monotonous running in the brooding heat. The sea is reached. Venice can not be far away. Only one stage, then we stand in the Piazza San Marco.
Pascal and I unfortunately can not quite put our plans to walk completely from Munich to Venice. For the last few kilometers through the lagoon, we are going on a ferry that takes us to Venice.
And then we are at the Piazza San Marco. Surrounded by countless tourists, who sometimes look at us questioningly, why we lie in our arms in joy and congratulate ourselves on the hike. Maybe it is also due to the beer cans that we hold in our hands ...?
It's done!
We have achieved our goal. There were no accidents on the road and we are really proud of our performance.
In Venice we stay a few more days and enjoy the indescribable flair of this city. By train we go back to Germany. With one of the last trains we travel from Munich back to Leonberg. A nightcap in our local pub and then, after more than a month the ways of Pascal and me separate first for a few days. It was a very nice time, which I would not want to miss. I am happy that we have undertaken this hike together!
