The European long distance hiking trail E5 was officially inaugurated in 1972 and is hence one of the oldest long distance hiking projects. The marked route covers a distance of about 3,200 km. E5 starts in the Northwest of France and leads from the French Atlantic coast via the alps to Verona, Italy. As it crosses the Alps from Lake Bodensee to Verona, it follows one of the oldest long distance paths in Europe. In the Ötztal Alps, the E5 follows the same route as the Via Alpina. The highest point of the route is the Pitztaler Jöchl (2995 m), the old connection between the two valleys, the Pitztal and the Ötztal (Caution! In summer the crossing is often dangerous due to melting snow). It continues over Zwieselstein and Timmelstal and continues to the Italian border at the Timmelsjoch (2509 m), and then down to Moos in the Passeier valley.