Hiking in South Tyrol

Explore the natural beauty along the Troi Paian, the first trade route in Val Gardena. This hike will take you through picturesque forest trails from Furnes to St. Peter and Laion. Immerse yourself in the pristine nature and enjoy the tranquility along this historic path.

Trail of Legends in Val Sarentino/Sarntal | A hike with a theme: Legends of South Tyrol | Trail of Legends in Val Sarentino/Sarntal | Directions | Starting point: Wippingerhof

The Stone Men (Stoanernen Mandlen) - Moonlight and Satan’s milk - the true story of the Val Sarentino witch ‘Pachlerzottl’

Barb (Barbara) Stöckele married Kunz Pachler and moved to the Bachlerhof from her home on the opposite side of the valley. The cheerful young farmer’s wife brought new prosperity to the farmstead, though Katl Hiller, the former housekeeper at the Bachlerhof grew suspicious of her. Several years later, after no heir to the farm had been born, Katl took Kunz aside, asking if he hadn’t noticed that Barb was involved in black magic and saying that God would never entrust her with a child. Kunz became increasingly estranged from Barb, who grew lonely and depressed realising she had been abandoned. One day Katl observed her as she splashed around in a water trough, deep in thought. Straight afterwards a devastating thunder storm broke out over the Sarntal valley and all Windlahn blamed it on Barb, saying she had brought it about by magic. Barb soon realised that she had been branded a witch, and that every kind of misfortune was attributed to her: the death of a child, just as much as a cornfield flattened by hail. Barb became a recluse and hid at her mother’s for weeks on end. After her mother’s death she went to ruin, wandering from place to place, homeless, in rags, ‘zottelig’ (unkempt, with matted hair). The accusations of witchcraft accumulated and she, the ‘Pachlerzottl’ was imprisoned in Schloss Reineck castle. Under torture she admitted to making mice out of coal, to putting a spell on milk, to riding on a broomstick to the Steinernen Mandlen at Auen, to masticating children and to copulating with the devil. She was tried in the Kellerburg in 1540 and the trial records are still preserved complete. ‘Pachlerzottl’ was condemned to death for witchcraft and burnt alive at the ‘Galgenangerle’ (gallows corner) at the northern end of Sarnthein where the Öttenbach stream runs into the Talfer.

The Pachlerzottl tragedy is re-enacted as a play on the first three Thursday evenings in July, with the original Steinernen Mandeln as a backdrop.

The starting point of the hike is the mountain station of the Seiser Alm. Follow the path no. 9 to the „Almgasthof Tirler“, from here continue along the trail no. 8 in direction of Goldknopf, until Kompatsch (path no. 7). The walking time is about 4 hours. The way back leads via Sanon and Monte Piz back to the starting point. You will need about 1.5 hours for this last part.

This easy and pleasant tour leads you through the wild nature from Ortisei to S. Jacob. This forest experience, which is well suited for families with children, is a hike with a unique view of the Sassolungo.

Ask any of the locals, and they might let you in on their favourite insider tip: a lovely, historical trail which crosses forests and meadows. Get ready for a beautiful walk and a somewhat mystical experience. The delightful scent of flowers and mesmerising birdsong will accompany you for 5 km as you explore the lush, untouched nature: the dappled sunlight washes over the moss-covered forest, creating a pleasant ambience and tableau to be admired.

Hike through the breathtaking views of the Seiser Alm, suitable for the whole family. The trail is easily walkable and takes you first to the Sanon Hut via the Schgaguler Hut. The return is via the Contrin Hut until you reach the Mont Seuc mountain station again.

Starting from the Resciesa mountain station, follow trail no. 35, which takes you to the Resciesa hut. From there the trail continue along the same path to the cross. Arrived at the cross, which is the highest point on this hike (2281 m), follow trail no. 31, which takes you to the Valluzza pass. Here, you can admire the unique view from the Val d’Isarco to the Sciliar. The hike continues along trail no. 35, past the Ega Ciajiarines spring to Brogles. The return route passes along the Costa dl Cason to the mountain station of the Resciesa funicular.

This tranquil hike on the plateau of the Alpe di Siusi offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty of nature and enjoy a day in good company. During the walk, you can admire a breathtaking landscape, with stunning views of the Sassolungo group, the Sella group, and the Sciliar.

The Völser Aicha Höfeweg farm trail is a beautiful hiking route through ancient farmsteads, mountain restaurants, vineyards and chestnut groves. This trail can be seen in all its glorious beauty in springtime when the mountain meadows are blossoming all around, and in autumn when the trees are decked in vibrant hues.

At Castle Prösels, you can take a trip back into the Middle Ages on a guided tour of the   Knights’ Hall, the castle chapel and other parts of the Renaissance castle and grounds.

Spanning Brixen/Bressanone to Franzensfeste/Fortezza, this exciting and instructive theme trail focusses on the history and cultural landscape of the Eisacktal Valley. On the 24 information boards found along the way, there is much to learn about the art and history of the oldest settlement in Tyrol, as well as its natural environment and geology.

Marvel the impressive spectacle of the Rötbach waterfall above Kasern/Casere. Feel the cooling freshness on your skin, breathe in the pleasant fresh air and admire the colorful light reflections when the sun shines.

Resciesa is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Puez - Odle Nature Park and is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Val Gardena. This loop hike takes you from the top station of the Resciesa funicular to the summit cross. Passing then by the S. Croce Chapel you return to the starting point. Suitable for hikers of all ages, this easily hiked route guarantees spectacular panoramic views, extending from the Valle Isarco to the Sciliar area and to the Passo Sella.

Atop San Vigilio Mountain, you can get close to nature on a wonderfully quiet winter hike without seeing a single car: for a change, why not strap on some snow shoes? From the summit station, you can either strap on your snowshoes and follow Trail no. 34 or take the chair lift higher. From the Sessellift Tavern, you can visit the delightful little Church of San Vigilio, then continue on to the Gasthof Seespitz inn to the protected habitat of the Schwarze Lacke, or Black Lake, where people delight in curling and ice skating on the frozen lake. Trail no. 7 takes you back to the chair lift or more experienced snowshoe hikers can follow the more demanding Trail no. 9 to the summit of Guardia Alta/Hochwart Mountain at an elevation of 2,607 metres.

The leisurely hike leads through meadows and forests without any significant difference in altitude starting from Seis, past St. Konstantin and St. Anton to reach Völs.

This walk leads from Laion to Ceves and up to the Unterpulghütte hut, and from there to Pedrutsch and back along the Poststeig trail. Along the way there are beatiful views of the Dolomites.

The Malga Möltner Kasner, which lies under the Stoanerne Mandlen, is a hut surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

The Hufeisentour is a seven-day-lasting mountain trail in the Alpes of Sarntal. The route proceeds through the heart of South Tyrol along alpine areas, meadows, traditional alpine huts, peaks and yokes. You walk on unbeaten tracks and natural paths. As well as wounderful and unforgettable views on the UNESCO world natural heritage, the Dolomites, the Zillertaler Alps, the Stubaier Alps, the Ötztaler Alps and the Mountain Ortler in the Brenta Group are waiting for you.
The classical Hufeisentour starts in the eastern Alps of Sarntal at Sarnthein and contains 7 to 8 stages, running in counterclockwise rotation. Of course you can walk into the other direction as well or start at other starting points, for example at Mölten. Here you walk onto the stone cairns "Stoanerne Mandln" and can decide if to walk to the starting point Sarnthein or to the area Meran 2000 (opposite direction).

The Tschafon/Monte Cavone is the local mountain of Tiers, and is one of the many spots in the Seiser Alm Dolomites region which is steeped in myth and legend. With its beautiful panoramic views, this mountain is the perfect day-trip destination.

This hiking tour is included in the family hiking book "Out and about with Nix the witch".

This Walk leads from Laion to Ceves and up to the Unterpulghütte hut, and from there to Pedrutsch and back along the Poststeig trail. Along the way there are beatiful views of the Dolomites.

Kasern/Casere - Hochwieser Alm - Biotope Wieser Werfa - Waldner See/lake - Kasern/Casere

We move through an area of small streams, mountain rivers and moraines („Wieser Werfa” und “Wieser Moos”) and mountain lakes (Waldner See). At the same time we enjoy panoramic views of the glaciated world of the „Hohe Tauern” mountains as well as the dark peaks of the “Durreck Group“, a core landscape of the Nature Park “Rieserferner-Ahrn”. Historical pathways across the „Hundskehle” tell of former close contacts with the neighbouring people in “Zillertal” valley.

Sarner Scharte, Sarentino/Sarnthein’s local mountain, is a ridge which extends from the frazione of Ponticino/Bundschen to the frazione of San Martino/Reinswald.

This easy and impressive circular hike is especially recommended due to the panoramic views to the Rosengarten, Schlern and Latemar mountains and the Alps. The hike can be combined with a visit at St. Helen chruch, which is famous for its high-Gothic frescoes. These mural paintings are amongst the most precious local examples of the High Gothic period. The church is open all year round. Just in front of the church, at the "Buschenschank" Kreuzhof, the visitors can taste typical south-tyrolean food.

The zigzag shaped Latschander irrigation channel path in between Laces and Castelbello was created in 1872/1873 and provides an ideal walk for the whole family. Those who wish to stroll along the entire irrigation channel trail should allow approximately 2.5 hours to do so.