The route in detail

So, the route in detail!? Now it gets complicated, because how detailed should I go?

Not many details: Car - Long-distance bus - Long-distance bus - 2 nights in Meran - Hiking - Hiking - Bus/Train - Hiking - Hiking - Hiking - Via ferrata in Arco - and done.

To be honest, if I continued in this concise form, I could stop right away.

So! On 09/07/2017, we drive to Frankfurt by car, then take the long-distance bus to Munich, change to the next long-distance bus and get off in Meran. I will stay there for 2 nights to acclimatize and finally start on Sunday, 09/10/2017.

But now, let's get into the details.

As mentioned before, my main motivator, better known as 'Mr. Route Planner', and I crawled on the floor. When he roughly determined the first stages, I didn't even know where my starting and goal points were. Everything was printed too small and I couldn't see with my progressive lenses. Then he jumped up, went to the table and clicked on the alpenvereinaktiv route planner. I couldn't follow along here either. The young people click way too fast.

Slowly but surely, we adjusted our working method to each other and the first successes became apparent since I had noted down the rough stage destinations.

A few weeks later at home, I tried the route planner myself. Wow, pretty ingenious.

So, finally the details:

The journey starts on 09/08/2017 at 12:10 am (a short note for my taxi to Frankfurt: this is Friday, so the night from Thursday to Friday, not Friday to Saturday) with the long-distance bus from Frankfurt/Hbf, a transfer in Munich at 06:45 am, and hopefully arriving in Meran on time at 12:35 pm.

For acclimatization and final mental and moral preparations, the journey starts on Sunday, but then for real.

From Meran we take the Marlinger Waalweg/Jakobsweg/Brandiswaalweg - 33A - 5A - 1A on a planned 14 km route to Tisens. Allegedly, the route is relatively flat with few ascents.

Day 2 is different. Now we go from Tisens to Fondo. This time the paths are called 8 via 'Fahlburg' to 'Rainer' - 9 - 9A - 9 west of 'Felixer Weiher' - 511 to the east - 517 (alternatively continue on 511). In contrast to the first day, this is now 22 km and it will be anything but flat. In fact, there are about 1100 meters of ascent in a distance of 10 km. I am curious about my hotel. Behind the name 'Lady Maria Hotel Wellness & Resort' there could be many things hidden.

Now it's time for some relaxation and the man who recommended 2 pairs of underwear to me said I should have a washing day. Ahh, now I understand. From Fondo or Masloco, we take the bus and train to Mezzolombardo. It will be around 40 km. I'm looking forward to it, not to washing, but to the bus and train ride - even though I'm not really a train fan.

Now, on day 4 of my hike, I'm going to Molveno to the Molveno Lake. The names and numbers of the paths still don't mean anything to me (602B - then continue without a number to 'Fai della Paganella' - F13 - F14 - continue without a number to 'Molveno'). This time it will be about 21 km where I climb from about 300 meters to 900 meters in 3 km, then to about 1500 meters in 12 km, and then walk back to 900 meters. Oh boy, it will be hilly. Hopefully, I won't arrive too late at Lake Molveno, because I'm really excited about it.

On day 5, we continue to Fiavè. If I read the map correctly, it's mostly downhill with a few ascents. But it's a proud 25 km. I don't really care what time I arrive today. The main thing is that I arrive on foot, find my hotel, and still have enough strength on day 6. The names of the paths sound a bit simpler (west along the lake - until 'S. Lorenzo' 300 and from 'Dosino' on 349B).

So, the last day of hiking lies ahead of me. From Fiavè we go via 'Godenzo' - 'Poia' - 'Favrio' then - 433 - 412 - 410 - 406 to 'Rif. S. Pietro' - via 'Monte Pozze' to 'Tenno' on a route of 22 km to Arco. I will ascend from 600 meters to 1600 meters in 6 km, then descend to about 900 meters, and the last 4 km should be flat. I will surely have earned that.

That's it, you could say, if it weren't for Colodri, which lures me. It is a via ferrata located slightly north of Arco. I will treat myself to this, hoping I have enough energy reserves

If I still have strength and stamina, I will hike to the supermarket in Arco, where Carola will pick me up by car to spend a relaxing week in Gargnano on Lake Garda afterwards.

That's the theory.

The planning was fun. Reading 3 maps at the same time, using the route planner, and reserving hotels. Did I mention that it won't be a hut hike, but a hotel tour? I want my bed, my shower, and my toilet - all in one room just for me. I'll save the shared dormitory for my next life.

Yup, the planning was great. 8 hours of concentrated work doesn't happen often, so I enjoyed it. If the hike is only half as good, it will be great.

However, I hope that the signage is much better than the small colored arrows stuck on my map. But for safety, I have brought a GARMIN eTREX Touch 35. But more on that soon on WandernAlleineZumGardasee under 'My Gear'. And again, I hope that I can operate it. The big advantage is that I could load the route created with the alpenvereinaktiv route planner onto it.

Wow! It got a bit long, but my tour is not exactly short.

P.S. I would be happy if you mark the reports with 'like' and maybe even share them on Facebook. Thank you very much!

P.S. 1: Oh yes, the comment function is of course also enabled!