E5 hiking trail Italy

The European network of hiking trails is an extremely long network of hiking trails that crosses Europe across several national borders. The European Ramblers‘ Association (ERA) is responsible for defining the European network of hiking trails and the Federazione Italiana Escursionismo is the recognised partner of the European Ramblers’ Association for marking and maintaining the Italian routes of the various European hiking trails. (E1, E5, E7, E10, E12).

The European hiking trail E5 connects Pointe du Raz on the Atlantic coast in Brittany (France) with Verona. It is around 3,200 km long and runs through several countries (France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy), with the most frequently travelled section being the one from Lake Constance to Verona, which is around 600 km long and takes an average of around 30 days to complete.  This section was defined by Hans Schmidt from Sonthofen (D) and realised by linking existing paths by the European Ramblers' Association, which inaugurated it on 2 July 1972.Although the route also crosses rocky areas with high peaks, no special experience or preparation is required as the paths are well signposted and have no dangerous passages. Along the way, there are various places to stop and spend the night in different types of accommodation (mountain huts, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, farms) and numerous opportunities to discover the true identity of the areas you pass through.

The E5 long-distance hiking trail is of particular importance in Italy, as it is one of the most important routes leading hikers across the Alps into the country. The E5 has developed into a popular hiking trail over the years. This is due to the scenic beauty, the variety of landscapes and the well-developed infrastructure. It offers people the opportunity to experience different Alpine landscapes and ecosystems on a hiking holiday, from high mountain regions to green Alpine valleys and Mediterranean landscapes in the south. It is also a sustainable journey into Italy's history in the north of the country, a unique opportunity to discover different cultures, traditions and even languages in a very small area and within one country.In addition, you cross several cultural regions on the way in Italy, which offers a unique opportunity to experience different cultures, languages and traditions.