Route of the Ötzi Trailrun on the Sonnenberg / Monte Sole of Naturno
The sun is out, you’re fully packed – now where do you want to go? The peaks, pinnacles and towers of the Dolomites gleam invitingly in the morning light. Are they even more beautiful from the summit? The valleys are criss-crossed with trails through vineyards and apple orchards, past imposing castles, around enchanting lakes and along the Waalweg canal trails. South Tyrol has more than 16,000 km of signposted hiking trails that run through the ever-changing natural landscape, including themed trails, multi-day tours and high-Alpine trails.
Route of the Ötzi Trailrun on the Sonnenberg / Monte Sole of Naturno
Start by the Fußendras hamlet along trail 17 through the Droßberg valley on the steady ascending trail to the Drosberg mountain hut (1933m, no service).
Starting point: mountain station Rosskopf Monte Cavallo (1.860m)
The cable car (valley station near the north park in Vipiteno) takes you to the mountain of Vipiteno. Leave the mountain station and follow on your right the marked trails: “Kastellacke”, “Flaner Jöchl” or “Vallminger Almen”. After approx. 15 minutes of walking time you finally reach the mountain hut Sternhütte above the mountain station.
Alternative: by foot to the Rosskopf Monte Cavallo: starting point is the valley station of the Rosskopf Monte Cavallo cable car. Follow path no. 19 or no. 23 through a shady forest and over serpentines to a forest path. Continue to the mountain station. From there follow the trails “Kastellacke”, “Flaner Jöchl” or “Vallminger Almen” until you reach the mountain hut Sternhütte.
Tip: children’s playground and sunbathing area, on Sundays spear ribs
The trail leads from the Val di Vizze high valley through the Droßberg-mountain valley along the old military road upwards in the Fundres mountains. By the Sandjoch jag is waiting a panoramic view on the surrounding summits like Wilde Kreuzspitze summit and Grabspitze summit. Route: Start by the Fußendraß hamlet in direction Droßbergalm on the trail 17, passing throug the Droßberg valley and after the mountain hut on trail 17 up to the Sandjoch joke (2651m) and through the pastures to the Brixnerhütte mountain hut (2282m). Lunch possibilities: Brixner Hütte.
The trail leads from the Maria Trens sanctuary along the hamlets of Campo di Trens. To discover next to the picturesque Maria Trens village and the sanctuary is the St. Valentines church in Valgenauna.
By the Nordpark Sterzing parking lot along the Via Pineta and furtheron on trail 19 over Raminges or trail 23 along the water experience path to the sunny Rosskopf hiking area.
The trail leads from the Sterzinger valley bottom to Schmuders hamlet and up to the typical Prantneralm mountain hut, which invites with a great view on the surrounding mountains. The hike descends from the pasture to the Novale hamlet and passes the Strassberg ruin, where centuries ago the local counts had their habitation.
From the playground, follow the E5 path towards Colle dei Signori/Herrenkohlern, from where you can admire a wonderful 180° panorama that sweeps from the Mendola/Mendel to San Genesio/Jenesien, the Forcella Sarentina/Sarner Scharte and the Corno del Renon/Rittner Horn. The little church dedicated to St. Mary was built in 1744. Pass the houses and walk along the forest road following the trail E5 to the Totes Moos biotope. Turn right at the biotope and follow trail no. 1A, keeping the pond on the left and the forest road on the right. The little path leads up to the Sasso Rosso/Rotenstein overhang, where you can see the Adige Valley and the villages of Appiano/Eppan, Caldaro/Kaltern and Laives/Leifers. Return to the biotope on the same trail and then continue along trail no. 1 to Schneiderwiesen and then back to the cable car.
The trail leads from the Afens hamlet at the entrance of Val di Vizze valley to the Pfammes meadows and on to Val di Vizze barrier lake. Enjoy the scenique of the traditional, unspoilt mountain valley.
The trail leads from the pitoresque Prati village through the forest upwards to the Gschließegg panoramic point and further to Sprechenstein castle, where you will find a nice overview on the Vipiteno valley bottom.
The Leitenrundweg circular hiking trail runs through the forest beside the Mauls village. A nice panoramic view on the Isarco valley, the valley of trails, is waiting at the highest point.
Route of the Ötzi Trailrun on the Sonnenberg / Monte Sole of Naturno
From Fuldres followin the forestal road into the Egg valley, passing by old military street constructions and after a short walk at the left starts the trail 16. In steep terrain upwards to the Onser mountain hut (no service) and further to the Puntleider See Alm shelter. On trail 14 you will arrive to the Puntleider See lake (1850m). Lunch possibility: Puntleidersee Alm.
Start by the Fußendraß hamlet along trail 17 through the Droßberg valley, passing by the Droßberg mountain hut and furtheron on the old militar road 17A to the Pfunderer Joch (2568m).
The hike starts at the picturesque pilgrimage town Maria Trens and goes along a partially exposed and rocky forest trail up to the panorama point Gschließegg, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view over the attractive Sterzing basin.
Start by the 4th turn after Schmuders on trail 3 in direction Weißspitz summit until to the forrestal road. Along the road passing by the Prantneralm mountain hut (1780m) and the Riedbergalm mountain hut (1925m), and on the broad trail 11 to the Hühnerspielhütte mountain hut(1866m). Alternativ: Ascent all along the forrestal road, suitable for strollers. Einkehrmöglichkeiten: Hühnerspielhütte, Riedbergalm, Prantneralm, Braunhof.
Nice walk thorugh the forest from the Mauls village to the Flans hamlet.
From Schloss Moss building by Wiesen on mark 24 in direction Flains village. Before the village turn right on trail 25. Along the forest upwards to the street and a few meters on to the Braunhof inn. Lunch possibility: Braunhof.
The circular hiking tour connects the villages Maria Trens and Valgenauna - a nice walk for the whole family and don't lose the cultural interesting St. Valentine's church. Suitable for strollers.
From Sterzing on the Eisack river promenade to the bottom of Sprechenstein castle. Short ascend on trail 24B to the castle and furtheron on trail 24 to the Maria Trens sanctuary. Return by bus 310.
Start by the Wiesen Comunal Parc, passing the river and along the forestal road to Sprechenstein castel. Here on the right side of the castel on mark 24B to the valley bottom and along the river promenade return to the starting point. Lunch possibility: Hofschenke Sprechenstein.
From Pfulters following the forestal road through the Egg valley. By the third bridge crossing the river and ascent to the Egg hamlet (1500m). Lunch possibility: Gasthaus Egg, Gasthaus Schönblick.
In 2011, the Alpine Conifers Educational Trail was inaugurated in these woods and the Vinschger Fahr und Reitverein horse association is also located there. Adventure-lovers there is also the Lasa Adventure Park in the vicinity.
The circular hike runs along the sunny side of Freienfeld and connects the Trens and Mules villages. Highlights on the trail from Trens over Valgenauna and Flanes di Sotto to Mules are the churches of St. Valentine and St. Oswald. The first lies idillyc on a ridge over the Isarco valley, while the second one is the Mules village centre.
Easy hiking tour through the wooden hills by Stilves/Stilfes. Along the road to Novale Bassa/Niederried and soon after leaving Stilves/Stilfes village along the trail 17 at the right side to the Burgstall summit. Lunch possibility: Restaurant Hotel Wieser
Follow the street in Mauls upwards passing by the small sports field and further on over the bridge and for just 1 km on the street, than take the trail 10 on the left side up to the Ritzail farms, passing the street sometimes. By Ritzail further on for about an hour to the Valler Jöchl (1933m) and on trail 9 to the mountain station Jochtal (2007m). Lunch possibility: Kaspererhof, Bergrestaurant Jochtal.
The Rosskopf cable car (valley station near the north park in Vipiteno) takes you to the mountain Rosskopf Monte Cavallo. Leave the mountain station on your right and follow the marked trail “Vallminger Almen”. Alternative: by foot to the Rosskopf Monte Cavallo: starting from the valley station of the Rosskopf Monte Cavallo cable car and follow the paths no. 19 or no. 23 through a shady forest over serpentines. Then continue to the mountain station and finally follow the marked trail “Vallminger Almen”.
Tip: alpine butter and cheese
Starting point: park area a few meters after the Braunhof (1.350m) in Schmuders near Prati.
From the inn Braunhof near Schmuders follow the marked trail no. 3 on good forest paths upward the mountain pasture Prantneralm. From there a forest path leads to the mountain pasture Riedbergalm.
Tip: handmade yoghurt, alpine cheese, children’s playground, accessible by car
From Gasthof Klaus follow the path no. 3 first on an asphalted road and shortly afterwards on a footpath in the direction of La Costa/Seit, which leads to a wonderful viewpoint over Bolzano right below the Telecom antennas. Lunch possibility at Köhlhof (Saturday and Sunday). Cross the road and follow the path no. 3, pass the little church of St. Henry and after Fritscher turn right towards Bolzano until you cross path no. 10A which leads to Virgolo/Virgl. The baroque Church of the Holy Sepulchre dating from the 17th century and the Church of St. Vigil with gothic frescoes depicting the story of Mary and St. Vigil can be visited on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4 p.m. From there you can walk down Via del Calvario/Kalvarienbergstraße to the centre of Bolzano.