St.Leonhard in Passeier/San Leonardo in Passiria, Meran/Merano and environs
Have you ever seen the inside of a hydroelectric power plant? Do you know how eco-friendly electricity is generated from water?
The Passeiertal Valley is one of the most water-rich valleys in South Tyrol. For decades, the power of water has been harnessed here to produce sustainable energy in numerous hydroelectric power stations.
On a hike from St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo along part of the impressive Passer Gorge "Passerschlucht", you'll have the opportunity to visit the Gomion power plant. During an exciting guided tour, Sepp will tell you more about the history and technology of the facility – you'll get first-hand insight into how clean electricity is generated from water.
Along the way, we'll stop for a break at the Hinterbruggerhof inn and enjoy a traditional "Marendebrettl" with regional specialties. After this cozy rest, we'll head back to St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo feeling refreshed.
Walking time: approx. 2.5 h | Difference in altitude: approx. 230 m
The event will be in German.
Moos in Passeier/Moso in Passiria, Meran/Merano and environs
Hidden in the upper Passeiertal Valley at 2,355 meters lies the historic Schneeberg mine. It was once the largest ore mining area in Europe. Since 1967, operations have ceased. Join hiking guide Franz on this exciting tour and learn first-hand about the history of mining and the tough lives of the miners.
After the ascent, we'll stop at the mountain hut in St. Martin am Schneeberg for a well-deserved lunch. Afterwards, we'll explore the adventure mine and experience the tunnels up close.
Walking time: approx. 4.5 h | Difference in altitude: approx. 680 m in ascent and approx. 800 m in descent
The event will be in German and Italian.
This contemporary history tour leads through hidden alleys and squares of the spa town. Who are the women who shaped Merano in the 20th century? Many of them are not mentioned in any history book, even though they achieved remarkable things. What stories can be told about them? In collaboration with the Women’s Museum, we take a women's and gender history walk through the past century.
Are you new to the city? Or would you like to meet new people and socialise? Then come along to our walk! All women are welcome, children and dogs are of course also welcome. The meeting point is the urania house, from there it's a leisurely 60-minute walk through Merano. Meeting point: in front of the urania house, Ortweinstraße 6, Merano.
Meeting point urania house
Registration required
On the11th October, the historic rooms of the castle will serve as the backdrop, in a race against time, for the search for Empress Elisabeth´s secret diary.
A secret diary to retrieve, a very demanding patron, only 30 minutes to find it before the imminent departure of the train with which Empress Elizabeth will flee the danger of the flooding of the Rio Nova: put yourself at the service of the sovereign and solve all the riddles to complete the task she has given you!
Like around 30 other churches, monasteries, and chapels along the "Alpine Road of Romanesque Art," the round church of St. Georgen in Schenna will take part in the "Days of the Romanesque" on October 11 and 12, 2025.
The church is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture and painting in the Alpine region and is one of only three preserved round churches in South Tyrol. Particularly impressive are the late Gothic winged altar by Hans Schnatterpeck and the 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes from the martyrdom of Saint George.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Guided tours in German
Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
With Ms. Birgit Knoll
Guided tours in Italian
Saturday and Sunday, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
With Mr. Alfred Piffer
Musical performance
Saturday, October 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
With the Roathaler Stubenmusik ensemble
Apple tasting
Saturday, October 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Admission is free.
A cultural experience for everyone who appreciates Romanesque architecture, music, and regional specialties.
Experience the Mystical Romanesque at St. James Church in Grissian – with Free Guided Tours
No registration required.
Every visitor will receive a small welcome gift: a South Tyrolean apple.
Children can test their knowledge with fun quiz questions and win a small prize.
The church is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Guided tours on Saturday, October 11:
In German: 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
In Italian: 12:00 PM
Guided tours on Sunday, October 12:
In Italian: 1:00 PM
In German: 3:30 PM
Children’s tour (in German and Italian): 2:30 PM
The church is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For Romanesque Day the museum and the church are open from 10. 00 – 17. 30. Admission is free and guided tours take place free of charge. (in italian and german languages.)
From the bridge on the road to the Timmelsjoch Pass at the end of the Val Passiria valley, we begin our hike along the high-altitude trail “Tiroler Höhenweg,” which gently ascends through the forest. The final section climbs more steeply, leading us up small switchbacks to the Monteneve mine. We take a break at the Monteneve inn to refresh ourselves, then continue on to the “Obere Gostalm” mountain pasture, before returning to the road to the Timmelsjoch Pass.
Elevation gain: approx. 600 m
Walking time: 4.5–5 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Already in the late 13th century, Sinich was first mentioned in documents as "ze Ursinie" and in 1350 as "von der Sini". However, Sinich only grew to its current size as a result of the fascist settlement policies of the 1920s. The former swamp area had to be drained by the ONC, the Opera Nazionale Combattenti, before they could build the Montecatini fertilizer factory and new stilted farmhouses. On this architectural walk, we explore Sinich through its various development phases, from the "Borgo Vittoria" and typical residential buildings to works by well-known architects such as Abram & Schnabl, up to the present day.
A pleasure festival for all wine lovers & gourmets: evening tastings with South Tyrolean wineries, visits to the winegrowers in Castelbello/Kastelbell, Wine & Dine - gala dinners at the partner businesses, wine tastings with Franziska Steinhauser and visits to the local wineries Falkenstein and Castel Juval Unterortl... an enjoyable program awaits you.
During a guided tour of the Wezl private distillery, Jochen explains the creation of grappa and the important role played by the grape. Both the grappa and the accompanying wine will be tasted. Because wine and grappa harmonize excellently with chocolate, this sweet seduction is served for tasting.
The event will be in German.
Experience chestnuts and wine in Lana in the chestnut grove of the Katzenthalerhof on Brandiswaalweg and in the "Hännsl am Ort" vineyard in Mitterlana. Wine, nature, old stone walls & wine cellars. Enjoy a delicious chestnut soup and traditional chestnut bread and taste farm made wines. Last but not least, we roast chestnuts together on the open fire.
Included: excursion, chestnut delicacies, tasting of four wines, roasted chestnuts.
Booking: by Monday, 21 October, 10 a.m.
From the centre of Barbiano/Eisacktal we hike in the direction of the ‘Trimm Dich Weg’, past the sports zone to ‘Bad Dreikirchen’, with its three unique chapels built next to each other. We walk along the easy forest path to the ‘Briol’ inn and on to the upper (45 m high) and lower waterfall (85 m high), the highest point of the hike. Now it's downhill and back to the starting point.
Elevation gain: approx. 600 m
Walking time: approx. 3.5 hours
Difficulty: moderate
You love apples, but have never thought about who is behind the juicy-sweet vitamin bombs? Then a guided apple tour through the orchards is just the thing for you. Our apple farmer accompanies you through the apple meadows and tells you interesting facts about the diverse fruit. Afterwards, farmers Gitti and Sepp will make, bake and, of course, taste Apfelkiachl (apple fritters).
Walking time: approx. 1.5 h | Difference in altitude: approx. 100 m
The event will be in German.
St.Leonhard in Passeier/San Leonardo in Passiria, Meran/Merano and environs
Sheep shearing is the very first step in the journey "from sheep to sweater" – a traditional craft that requires skill and experience.
At the MuseumPasseier, professional sheep shearer Albert will demonstrate how sheep are sheared, while Annelies shares fascinating facts and stories about sheep and their role in local culture.
The tour continues at Spinnradl, a local business where regional sheep's wool has been processed into unique knitted jackets since 1948. Owner Franz will guide you through the workshops, giving you an up-close look at the entire process – from washing the wool, carding, spinning, and knitting, all the way to sewing the finished garments. To round off the experience, you'll get hands-on and creative during a felting workshop – an authentic craft adventure for all ages!
Walking time: approx. 30 min. | Difference in altitude: approx. 50 m
The event will be in German.
Guided tour through the apple meadows in Gargazzone/Gargazon (with reservation).
Our farmer will guide you through their fields, explains you about the healthy ingredients, the production area and about all sorts and brands of the South Tyrolean apple. Gain insight into the secrets of the apple farmers - from the latest technology of today and the gnarled giants of the past. Afterwards, you can taste for yourself.
Three castels in one night ("Drei Burgen in einer Nacht") in Prissian/Prissiano, is a short walk with torchlights from Castel Fahlburg to the Castle Wehrburg and to Castel Katzenzungen meanwhile you enjoy cultural and culinary surprises and at the end of the evening will be serverd a degustation dinner based on the local chestnut. Costs: 100,00 euro per person. On reservation only, whitin Monday, 21th October until 5 p.m.
Experience Chestnuts and Wine in Lana – in the chestnut grove of the Törggelehof and the vineyards of the organic Zollweghof Winery. A guided walk through nature, history, and ancient wine cellars: taste and enjoy chestnuts and wines with winemaker and nature guide Irmgard Windegger. Includes a small surprise picnic in the chestnut grove, wine tasting, organic snacks, and roasted chestnuts at the Zollweghof organic winery.
Hike through the vineyards of Riffian/Rifiano with local winegrower Michl and dive into the fascinating world of South Tyrolean wine. Along the way, Michl will share insights into the history and cultivation of the vines, different grape varieties, and how the wines are marketed. The highlight of the experience is a wine tasting right at the farm: savor exquisite wines from Michl's own production, paired with delicious regional specialties.
Walking time: approx. 1 h | Difference in altitude: approx. 100 m
The event will be in German.
When the days grow shorter and the plants retreat, it begins – the root-digger season. We turn our gaze downward and encounter ancient medicinal plants whose effects were already known to the legendary “Wurzelsepp”: valerian root calms body and mind, horseradish adds spice and helps with colds, comfrey supports bones and joints. But enjoyment isn’t neglected either: wood avens, evening primrose, and Jerusalem artichoke surprise with their delicate flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Together with Melanie from “sunnkraut,” we bring these underground treasures to light and explore the origins of the plants.
Von Mitterplars folgen wir dem alten Burgweg, der früher zum Schloss Tirol geführt hat, durch die Weingärten hinauf zum Café Konrad, wandern ein kleines Stück auf dem Algunder Waalweg in Richtung Vinschgau und zweigen bald auf den Großen Schlundensteinweg ab. Dieser führt uns mäßig steil zum schönen Ort Vellau. Neben der Bergstation des Sesselliftes kehren wir in einem gemütlichen Lokal zur Stärkung ein und genießen den Blick in den Vinschgau. Weiter geht es über den „Saxnerweg“ leicht abwärts nach Partschins.
Höhenmeter: ca. 550 m
Gehzeit: ca. 3 Stunden
Schwierigkeit: leicht
In from the Outside and Quickly Up
An ex-marketing manager runs his estate winery as a factory
Heiner Pohl calls his Marinushof in Castelbello “an agricultural start-up enterprise.” And the description comes not by chance. For two reasons: first of all, it originates from a former marketing manager who, secondly, built the estate winery out of nothing.
The product line of the Marinushof consists of varieties that feel right at home in the Val Venosta: Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Grigio. “Our wines are characterized by harmony and naturalness, and they age very well,” says the winegrower. And for all those who are perhaps not so familiar with wine vocabulary: “These wines make you most prefer to drink the whole bottle without stopping.”
(only in german and italian language)
Short hike with guided tour through the chestnut groves of the "Mair am Turm" farm in Grissiano. In front of the historic farm chestnuts are roasted and tasted. After that the hike goes back to the Schmiedlhof (tavern), where a "Marende" is served and enjoyed.
St.Martin in Passeier/San Martino in Passiria, Meran/Merano and environs
What comes to mind when you think of the Passeiertal Valley?
Andreas Hofer, the stunning nature, or perhaps the local dialect?
But do you also think of art?
Between 1719 and 1845, St. Martin/S. Martino was home to an important school of painting that not only filled the valley with artworks but also gained wide recognition beyond the region.
On this guided walk with Judith, you'll follow the baroque traces through St. Martin/S. Martino. Discover elaborate frescoes and paintings while learning more about the former painting school, the talented artists trained there, and the impressive works they left behind. After the walk, we'll stop at Hotel Jager Hans and enjoy a seasonal autumn lunch together.
Walking time: approx. 1.5 h | Difference in altitude: approx. 100 m
The event will be in German.
