40 stages across three countries: Italy, Austria, Germany.

The Yellow Trail takes the walker from sea level to 3000m, from the Adriatic Coast to the mountain pastures of Allgäu, from the blend of cultures in Bolzano to the untouched Lechtal environment, from the Dolomites, volcanic formations from the ancient sea bed, to the land of Ötzi the Iceman of the Similaun: a journey full of contrasts.

On leaving Trieste, the scenery is characterised by ruins from various periods and natural monuments typical of the karst: caves, gorges and torrents.

In the Southern Carnic Alps the Via Alpina crosses several traditional routes which link Friuli to Carinthia, and offer numerous opportunities to make a circular walk combining the Red and Yellow Via Alpina Trails.

In the heart of the Dolomites it crosses the legendary massifs of the Marmolada and Catinaccio/ Rosengarten.

On arrival in Bolzano, the multicultural city par excellence the Via Alpina veers north (you can also link up with the Stelvio National Park in the west, which allows you to rejoin the Red Trail while remaining on the southern slopes of the Alps).

The trail crosses the Niederjoch (3019m), the highest Via Alpina pass, very close to the site where Ötzi the Iceman was discovered.

Then comes a change in scenery with the crossing of the largest glacier massif in the Alps, the Ötztal, before descending to the wooded Inn Valley.

The return to limestone is marked this time by the high mountain pastures in the Allgäu that lead to the junction of the Yellow, Red and Purple Trails in Oberstdorf in Bavaria.


Massifs crossed: Eastern Julian Alps - Carnic Alps - Dolomites - Ötztal Alps - Lechtal Alps - Allgäu Alps.