Hiking in South Tyrol

“Good wine begins in the vineyard” – an oft-quoted maxim whose truth is unchallenged.

Why this is so and what happens in the vineyard is clearly described along the Castel Sallegg wine trail in Caldaro. Panels located in the midst of the vine rows explain all about Alto Adige’s grape varieties and their characteristics, relate the annual vegetation cycle of the vines and tell the history of winegrowing. Those wishing to learn more will find plenty of information about the local climate, geography and terroir. To round off the trail, visitors can visit the cellar and enjoy a wine-tasting session, thus completing the path from the vine via the barrel and into the bottle.

The starting point of the trail, which is some 350 metres long, is the Rottenburger Platz in the centre of Caldaro. From there it leads up through the vineyard to the inner courtyard of Castel Sallegg. Visitors can follow the trail alone or take part in an individual or a group guided tour: either way you can be sure of acquiring an informative insight into the traditional viticulture of Alto Adige.

Route: Rottenburger Platz (centre of Caldaro) to Castel Sallegg (30 minutes on foot).
Opening times: mid-March to mid-November (guided tours only during the ripening season).
Price: unaccompanied visits are free of charge: guided tours are €9.50 or €16.00 including cellar tour and wine tasting.
Guided tours: from 1 April to the end of October, followed by cellar visit (except during harvest time) and wine tasting. Guided tours followed by wine tasting can be organized for small and big groups.

From the Rifugio Bonner/Bonnerhütte you have an amazing view over the snowy Dolomites.

Attention: with fresh snow only possible with snow shoes.

From the end of the valley Ratschings/Racines follow path no. 10, walk steeply at first through the mountain forest, then up through alpine meadows to the inner pasture of Wumblsalm. Following the mark you will reach the pass Schlotterjoch (2,283 m), left from here, on path no. 12 climb to the top of the mountain Saxner. From here you will enjoy a spectacular view, on a clear day as far as to the mountain Ortler-area! The decent follows the same route.

A lovely winter hike that goes gently but steadily uphill. Almost the entire hike passes through snowy woodland and beautiful winter landscapes, making it wonderfully peaceful and relaxing.

The Wine Trail is layed out in the form of an "8" and takes you from the village centre, down to the lake and back – past wine vineyards, farms and estates. Ground markings have been laid into the ground so that the hiker is aware of the various vineyard names as he passes by. You will see some of the age-old poetic vineyard names, which date back to either Rhaetian or Romantic origins: "Vial", "Prunar", "Puntara", "Palurisch" …

This easy, family-friendly hike leads from Verdins along the Wiesersteig track down to the village of Scena. Shady forests, blooming meadows and pretty farmhouses lend a truly special atmosphere to this hike.

This extended circuit along the Archeopfad Archaeological Trail leads from Brixen/Bressanone through the vineyards and fruit farms to the Natz-Schabs/Naz-Sciaves plateau, covered in apple orchards. Passing two natural biotopes, the scenic trail runs from the northernmost vineyards in South Tyrol as far as the Augustinian Canons Monastery of Neustift/Novacella before returning to Brixen. This all-encompassing trail passes through some of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in South Tyrol.

This easy hike has a special bonus: excellent views! From the parish church, follow the road to Passo delle Erbe until you reach the first bend (tornante 1), then take a right onto trail no. 20b. After crossing the stream, walk across the meadows and to the Alfarëi farmstead which offers breath-taking views. Follow the forest road down to the hamlet Colac and return to Antermoia heading towards the sports grounds along trail no. 20.

Start by the Comunal Park in Wiesen on the promenade trail on the leftside to the valley end, over the Millerbrücke bridge by the village end and along the forestal road on the right side by the edge of the forest to Tulfer. Lunch possibility: Pretzhof, Parkbar Wiesen, Restaurant Wiesnerhof, Gasthaus Lex.

A pleasant walk to relax and simply enjoy life in a quite area on Seiser Alm. This route offers  a breathtaking view of the Schlern/Sciliar mountain, almost within hand’s reach from the Spitzbühl, and leads onwards over endless alpine meadows back to the starting point.

This snowshoe expedition to the Jocherhof farm leads you over gently undulating countryside above the Tierser Valley. It boasts breathtaking views over the Rosengarten mountain, and is not particularly challenging on a technical level.

An easy hiking of 2,5 km, in the Wielental/Valle di Vila, which presents no difficulties and is therefore well suited for families and children.

The Four Churches Trail leads through the diverse natural and cultural landscape of the Pustertal plateau of the central mountain range. The churches of St. Valentin in Greinwalden/Grimaldo, St. Cyriak in Pfalzen/Falzes, St. Nikolaus in Issing/Issengo and St. Johannes in Haselried represent special signposts. These places of energy also offer spiritual impulses for the way ahead.

The hike starts directly at the mountain station Monte Elmo, reachable by the cable car from Sesto or the cable car from Versciaco. From there it goes over a wide forest road slightly uphill to the Rifugio Gallo Cedrone. 

Once upon a time, in the woods above the Tuff Alm, there lived a rather unusual man: Franz Mich, “Migg,” to all those who knew him was a hermit who lived alone in his cave. The cave is still there to this day, and has been preserved together with all of his belongings. This tour leads you to the world of Migg…

This hiking tour can be found in the family hiking booklet “Out and About with Nix the Witch”.

This hike will take you on narrow trails through a magnificent, lonely alpine forest at the foot of the Zanggen / Pala di Santa.

From Brückele/Ponticello you turn right before the bridge across the river onto a forest path; at the chapel turn right again to Postmeisteralm/Malga Posta, continue upwards until shortly before the Portella/Törl) and along the western slope to the summit. Sign-post: No. 29 Challenge: very demanding. Alternative: departure from alpine hut “Rossalm/Malga Rossalm” from the alpine hut “Rossalm/Malga Rossalm” upwards to Kuhglättenpinggl; continue in a northerly direction to the big Val Cavallo/gr. Rosstal and to the Gamssattel/Sella dei camosci, then to the right and up steeply to the summit. Walking time: 2 hours Sign-post: no. 4, no. 28 Challenge: demanding

The cultural round tour passes at all famous churches and chapels at Dobbiaco/Toblach. The parisch church of St. John the Baptist, the sanctuary of St. Mary, the chapels of Melate/Mellaten, Monte Rota/Ratsberg and Fienili/Stadlern, the church of San Silvestro/Wahlen an the "Leitnstöckl" are visitable.

Snowshoe hike with a magnificent panorama. Ascent with the cable car Speikboden and the chairlift Sonnklar to 2,400m. From there turn left onto the Sonnklar Nock and down to lake Trejer, the hut Trejer and back to the mountain station Speikboden at 2,000m. The tour is also possible in the opposite direction.

Guided snowshoe hike with certified hiking guides from Ahrntal Aktiv (www.ahrntal-aktiv.com). Rental equipment available at the ski rental at the mountain and valley station.

The 5 km long hiking trail serves the purpose of discovering the great diversity of species in the nature of the Ultental Valley.

Several sections of the Pilgrim's Way Cammino di Santiago cross South Tyrol and are convincing for the variety of scenic attractions, but also for the many well-preserved reminders of the pilgrimage era along the way. You start in Monguelfo and walk to Valdaora, from there to Nessano and finally to Brunico.
Difference in altitue ascending: 441m
Difference in altitude descending: 695m
Length: 21,2 km
Walking time: 05h 51min

Comfortable hike through the beautiful and scenic valley Innerfeldtal. A special feature is the view of the mighty rocky backdrop of the Dreischusterspitze/Punta dei Tre Scarperi.

This simple snowshoe hike does not lead directly up to the Three Peaks, but they are always in view from the start of the tour.

IMPORTANT: Before starting any ski tour/snowshoe excursion, you must check the weather conditions and danger avalanches report (https://avalanche.report), asking also experts (alpine guides etc.).

The hike with snowshoes begins on the top of the Gampen Pass - Passo Palade (1518 m), on the opposite side of the Gasthof Gampenass Hotel. Following the forest road you'll reach the Laugen Alm (1853 m) in about 1,5 hour. Just over halfway up you can take a shortcut to the Laugen Alm by following the hiking path no. 10. The Laugen Alm (closed over the winter months) is located on a small plateau with a gorgeous and inspiring view on the Dolomites. From the Laugen Alm you ca add a 40 minutes walk southwards on the path no. 10A (150 m elevation gain) to reach a small panoramic saddle just over the tree line at about 1950 m. (Pay attention in case of fresh snow or snowdrifts formed by the wind). From here, you can admire the majesty of the Maddalene mountains and the magnificent Brenta Dolomites. The way back is the same as the way up.

Beautiful hike with a lot of views. The first and the last part of this hike is dominated by beech and mixed forest. Douring the middle part you will find various ditches.