Hiking in South Tyrol

A leisurely, only somewhat steep, excursion across woods and chestnut groves.

This relaxing hike leads to the historic Prösels Castle built in 1200 by the Counts of Völs in the year 1200. Take a trip back to bygone days on a guided tour of the Knight’s Hall, the castle chapel and other parts of the Renaissance castle and grounds. There’s no chance of getting bored!

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

Alpe di Villandro is an extended high alpine pasture above the locality of Villandro. This alpine meadow is characterised by lush green meadows, moors, lakes and grass-covered hills. Numerous refuges are spread all over, offering traditional delicacies and a great place for a rest and having a cool drink.

Spring and autumn are the ideal times for this hike. From the sports ground in Lasa/Laas, walk along the dry Lasa Leitenwaal canals (Laaser Leiten) to the mountain village of Tanas. From here hikers can enjoy unique panoramic views of the valley basin and the Ortler range on the opposite side.

This hike is normally snow-free, with gorgeous views of the Laaser Tal valley, the marble quarry and the incline railway.

11 boards provide multimedia and vivid information about the history of Schabs and local sights; the three Chapels of Christ’s Passion on the Spinges mountain, the background to the construction of the fortress of Franzensfeste, the connections around the Tyrolean “Standschützen”, the short life of the witcher “Lauterfresser” Matthäus Perger ... - Experience history up close and personal!

The Gereuther Höfeweg farm trail offers insights into the different lifestyles of the Gereuth mountain farmers. Several drinking fountains and vantage points invite visitors to picnic and linger. The circular trail on the Pfeffersberg mountian side can be started from several points and is particularly recommended in spring and autumn.

This beautiful hike leads from the legendary Lake Carezza over the new suspension bridge trough the Passo Costalunga/ Karerpass, from where you hike across the mountain meadows at the foot of the Catinaccio/ Rosengarten to the Frommer Alm hut.

The Renon/Ritten earth pyramids are a phenomenon caused by erosion, appearing where ice age moraine loam from glaciers collected in the valleys. When dry, the material is as hard as rock but, combined with water, it becomes a clay-like mush which flows into the valley. It remains protected from the rain under large stones so that columns of earth are built up becoming taller after each rainstorm.

Route: the hike begins in Collalbo/Klobenstein, the main village on the Corno del Renon mountain. The trail leads through Collalbo to Longomoso/Lengmoos until to the hiking trail no 24 in the Erdpyramidental valley, which is so flat that it can be walked with any sort of shoe and with a buggy. View the earth pyramids against the backdrop of the imposing Dolomites from the viewing terraces. Return via the same route, through Longomoso to the beginning of trail no. 37, the von-Eyrl Promenade and the starting point at the railway station in Collalbo.

Tip: the easy way to get from Bolzano/Bozen to Collalbo is on the Rittner Seilbahn cable car and Rittner Bahn narrow-gauge railway.

The Peace Trail (Friedensweg) in Caldaro was created between 1995 and 2000 by an action group led by Georg Reider. It leads from the Sportzone St. Anton car park across the cultural and natural landscape through the Kardatschertal valley or the wild Rastenbachklamm gorge to St Peter’s Church in Castelvecchio/Altenburg.

Seven stations invite hikers and pilgrims to pause and reflect. Artists have interpreted the five themes of “Moderation, Wisdom, Justice, Belief and Hope,” artistically applying them to the environment. The sixth station (Courage) is the Rastenbachklamm gorge. The seventh, Love, is represented by the ruins of the early Christian St Peter’s Church in Castelvecchio, probably the oldest church ruins in Tyrol.

Sturdy footwear is recommended for the hike and sure-footedness is also essential in some places.

This gorgeous panorama path leads above the village Nova Levante to the Pension Erna and it's a perfect family walk.
A total of 9 stations along the panoramic path explain facts about the village Welschnofen, their history and tradition and the nature in the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Numerous benches invite you to relax and to enjoy the tranquility and fresh mountain air.

Medium-easy exkursion across beautiful deciduous forests. The view to Bolzano and Sciliar is beautiful along the path.

A rewarding hike past the historic Ansitz Gravetsch Residence to the Church of St. Anna in Rotlahn.

From the swimming pool in Chiusa/Klausen, you walk along the main road to the crossroads for Velturno/Feldthurns. Follow the marked Wine Trail (Weinwanderweg), first along the road and then through the Leitach vineyards past various wineries up to the Hienghof farm and from there back down to the swimming pool. On the way you will get a fascinating insight into winegrowing in the Eisacktal valley and learn about the different varieties of grape.

The Geologists’ Trail takes you on a journey through the history of the Earth. Over millions of years waters of the Frötschbach stream have eroded the rock strata, revealing how the Dolomites came into being. With spectacular waterfalls en-route, this trail offers hikers and amateur geologists a beautiful hike and a fascinating insight into the Earth’s history.

There are various stations where visitors can learn lots about chestnuts. The Chestnut Experience Trail (Kastanienerlebnisweg) is especially recommended for families and those who like a gentle walk. Along the trail one can learn a lot about the tree's wood, its fruit and the various types of chestnut.

Parking is available next to the church in Foiana/Völlan or at the football ground. Follow the Propst-Wieser-Weg trail. After the sporting grounds a Keschtnigl, a spiky chestnut the size of a person, advertises the Chestnut Experience Trail.

Follow the signs past the Weinreichhof farm to the start of the Chestnut Experience Trail. The trail is designed to be easy and interesting for young and old. Ten stations, some of them interactive, await visitors on a hike through the chestnut trees where it is all about the precious fruit.

The hike starts begins in the town center and follows trail no. 18 along a forest trail to a waterfall before reaching the Plose cableway valley station. From here, the circular hiking trail leads up to Meluno di Sopra/Obermellaun and sloping downward to the Oberplattnerhof farm. The route continues to Meluno/Mellaun on the Höfestraße road (trail no. 7), then along field trails (no. 12) back to the starting point.

Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail II - from Bletterbach to the Sexten Dolomites

A hiking trail to discover the fossil archipelago of the  Dolomites UNESCO World Hetitage

In 2009 UNESCO listed the Dolomites as a World Heritage Site for the aesthetic value of its landscape and for the scientific importance of its geology and geomorphology. From this arose the idea of designing a trekking route through the Dolomites that would present this spectacular history and beauty to hiker.

The Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail explores the entire Dolomites World Heritage Site in 47 stages. 10 of these stages run through the South Tyrolean Dolomites, traversing some of the most beautiful and geologically interesting mountain ranges in the region. There are breathtaking views to be had along a route that features plenty of opposites, while hiking is a unique experience along the well-marked, well-maintained paths.

The Geotrail is thus a combination of long-distance footpath and educational trail. The individual stages of this trail are also possible as day tours; you can almost always use public transport to get back to your starting point or to return from the day’s destination. The main challenge is nevertheless to attempt the Geotrail in ten days, taking the time to explore a unique world full of secrets and for a while escaping the hustle and bustle of our (over-)organised everyday world.

For more information, please visit: https://www.dolomitiunesco.info/attivita/dolomites-world-heritage-geotrail/?lang=de

Lenght: 176 km

Duration: 10 days

Please check the opening hours of the huts and restaurants: www.seiseralm.it/huts

Hiking & "törggelen": This ancient South Tyrolean custom alone is worth a trip. From October to the beginning of the Advent season, you meet the "törggelen" in the Renon inns and taverns with young wine, sweet cider and hearty delicacies. When the chestnuts are roasted over the "Keschtnfeuer", you feel as if you have travelled back in time. One-time quaint!

Trail "mountain pine" e distillery Mountain Pine - Villanderer Alps

From the Farming Museum in Foiana trail no. 8 (Mühlenweg) branches left through deciduous forest. At the Talmühle inn it crosses over the Brandisbach stream on a stone bridge dating from the 17th century, then continues through Scots pine forest and orchards until reaching the Obermairhof farm.

After passing the Narauner Weiher pond, which is located at the foot of the Pöltener Bühel, the trail reaches Gampenstrasse (detour to St. Hippolyt). After crossing this road, you will reach another road to Tesimo, the destination of your hike.

This path between the water irrigation channels, so called Waalwege, embraces the valley basin of Merano and allows hikers to experience the area on a 80 km walking path.

The road joins eleven separate paths allowing the discovery of huts along the channels and even castles, churches and natural wonders. The path between the Merano channels isn't at high altitude, but cut into the valley between 400 and 900 meters in height.

Hikers can walk the entire trail in eight stages over one week, or alternatively experience one leg as a day tour. The path between the Merano irrigation channels supplements the beloved Merano High Mountain Trail.

"The channels" are artificially created canals for irrigation originating from the thirteenth century. A narrow bridge was built to maintain and care for each channel. In the past, the farmers dedided to build the channels using rudimentary tools to regulate the distribution of water, a very clever idea. Today, the paths along these water irrigation channels have become popular hiking trails and walks, suitable at any time of the year.

Enjoyble hiking tour through the forests and alpine pastures of Alta Val di Non, highly recommended over the late spring - early summer months because of the great variety of alpine flowers and in autumn due to its glowing larches. The hike starts at the parking area “Klammbrücke” just above the village of San Felice. From there the hiking trail no. 9 leads you directly to the San Felice lake (called also Felixer Weiher or Lago di Tret) in about 1 hour. The hike takes you through rough forests and mountain grassland whit panoramic views to the Val di Non and the Brenta Dolomites. The swimming lake (1604 m) has preserved itself as a natural biotope and has been rewarded for its excellent water quality. Not far from the lake there is the Felixer Alm - Malga di San Felice where you can rest end enjoy local dishes. The forest road from the Felixer Alm brings you back to the parking area. This hiking is also recommended for families with children.