July 2026 – Crossing the Alps – Day 6: The Merano High Trail Ends the Alpine Crossing

Today was the final stage of my Alpine crossing. To finish, you could choose: either walk directly to Merano, or take the cable car up to the Merano High Mountain Trail and hike along above the city from there, before taking the next cable car back down to Merano. The high trail required not just a head for heights because of the cable car – the narrow, steep paths were demanding in their own right.

So our group split up once more. The couple, the historian and I opted for the high trail. As so often on this trip, everyone walked at their own pace. We kept meeting at a hut or a viewpoint for a short chat; otherwise, I was on my own most of the time.

I think that was the most strenuous thing I have ever done. And at the same time, I had the feeling that every hike before and every single stage of this Alpine crossing had prepared me for exactly this final day.

Today, the trail ran for long stretches just below the 2,000-metre mark. Although we used the cable car in between, around 1,250 metres of ascent on foot still added up by the end. It was truly demanding – physically as much as mentally.

On these narrow paths, you can't keep looking at the summit or the destination. You have to concentrate on the next step. Only on the next one. Every single step has to be sure. Especially up there, where one slip can quickly have dire consequences.

In return, you are rewarded with a view that can hardly be put into words. That's why, as an exception, there are ten pictures in the gallery today instead of the usual six. This landscape simply deserves it.

When I finally rode the cable car down to Merano and then walked the last few metres to my hotel, I actually had tears in my eyes. Of pride. Of relief. Of joy. I could hardly believe that I had really completed this Alpine crossing.

After a long shower, food was the first order of business. Starter, pizza and dessert – after a day like this, I was hungry for everything.

Now I'm sitting, exhausted, in my hotel room, writing this final daily report. Tomorrow it's back to Füssen by bus, and from there home again by train.

The Alpine crossing is done.

What a feeling – incredible.