Hiking in South Tyrol

The „Gaisinger Waalweg“ is a popular attraction among locals and tourists, which not only offers a great hiking experience for all, young and old, but also provides interesting cultural and historical insights.

The Kirchsteig Adventure Trail invites walkers to learn about flora and fauna, agriculture and forestry in a fun and interactive way. Highlights include a listening station, a telescope, a wild animal memory game and a mill. A great day out for all the family!

Not suitable for bicycles and baby carriages!

This scenic route, known as the Sentiero di Sissi in Italian and the Sissiweg in German, leads to the areas of town most beloved by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi. The charming Habsburg sovereign stayed in Merano several times in the second half of the nineteenth century, and was enchanted by its charm. This path dedicated to her connects the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle with the city centre; it passes through eleven stages along the way, each with a story to tell. From the castle that majestically dominates the botanical gardens, Sissi’s Path winds its way past Pienzenau and Rubein Castles, the Reichenbach Residence, Piazza Fontana (Brunnenplatz), Rottenstein Castle, and the Bavaria Hotel; it then continues down to the river, crosses the Roman Bridge, skirts the Wandelhalle and finally pays homage to the empress in the park dedicated to her. The park is on the edge of the Summer Promenade and there is a statue erected in Sissi’s honour. Obviously, the trail can be followed in either direction.

To commemorate the First World War, the municipality of Toblach/Dobbiaco and the Province of South Tyrol want to use this themed path to remember the diverse, interesting and eventful history of the Höhlensteintal/Val di Landor valley. In order to show this story, suitable sculptures were erected at 4 locations, which evoke associations with the topics of traffic & travel, view of the Three Peaks, tourism & alpinism and war & defense and make these easily understandable for everyone.

Transport & Travel: There is an abstract locomotive on the former railway line, as a reminder of the Dolomite Railway, which operated here from 1921-1964. At the same time, the history of the railways and traffic is dealt with.

View of the Tree Peaks: The portal on the street as an eye-catcher and the covered wooden platform are the actual starting point and thus the most important part of the themed path concept. At this station, the topics of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, the Three Peaks Nature Park and mountaineering history are dealt with, with the pioneer Paul Grohmann, who set out from the Höhlensteintal valley on August 21, 1869 to climb the Three Peaks for the first time.

Tourism & Alpinism: A stagecoach with information on the successful and later tragically ending tourism history of the Postgasthof and later Grandhotel Baur is a reminder of tourism. At this point, the ruins of the hotel complex, which was unfortunately completely uselessly blown up due to the impending war in 1915, are still visible. The chapel alone was spared at that time.

War & Defense: A steel sculpture in the form of an armored personnel carrier is located at the location of the huge fortress from 1884, which was built by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and taken over by Italy after 1919. In 1942 it was supplemented with extensive bunkers.

suitable for baby stroller

Easy circular route on the trail of winegrowing in Dorf Tirol/Tirolo. This leisurely walk through the vineyards above the roofs of Meran/Merano starts at the tourist information office. 

This leisurely loop-route around the Puflatsch leads to fairytale spots and breathtaking lookout points with unforgettable views over the Seiser Alm, the Dolomites and the Val Gardena and across to the Ritten/Renon, the Rittner Horn and the Ortles Group.

A number of benches and tables line the route, offering ample opportunity for picnicking.

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

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 begins in the idyllic village of St. Valentin, from there up to the Haideralm. From there, the easy and carefree high trail no. 14 unfolds, which is ideal for family hikes. The trail leads to Schöneben and from there via Rojen to the old village of Reschen and the source of the Adige river.

Leisurely walk boasting breathtaking views of the Langkofel/Sassolungo and Plattkofel/Sassopiatto, passing countless mountain huts offering food and refreshments and a very unusual bench.

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

On the marks of Gustav Mahler we reach Altschluderbach/Carbonin Vecchia, where the summer residence and the small house of musical creation are located. In the summer months of 1908-1910, Gustav Mahler composed some of his most famous works in this simple wooden hut in the heart of the Dolomites: the 9th and 10th symphonies and the "Song of the Earth".

The summer residence and the small house of musical creation are only visible from the outside.

This easy, generally flat hike leads through the meadows and forests along the Maiser Waal irrigation channel and is especially popular with families who even enjoy walking the route on hot summer days. 

The Konstantiner Weiher lake, also known as “Pfarrmoos”, is one of the 7 lakes of Völs am Schlern. Nestled in an idyllic forest and meadow landscape, this lake is a beautiful destination if you are in search of peace and quiet.

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

This hike leads around the beautifully situated Toblacher See. A nature adventure trail with 11 stations around the lake provides valuable information about the flora, fauna and geomorphology of the area and, above all, explains the special features of Lake Dobbiaco. The viewing platform on the west bank offers a place to rest and a view of the flora and fauna and the silting zone. In addition, the special and very varied panorama of the circular route should be mentioned.

suitable for baby stroller

You can find more information about the water features of Toblach/Dobbiaco: 
https://www.drei-zinnen.info/en/dobbiaco/dobbiaco/experiencing-dobbiaco/lago-di-dobbiaco-lago-di-landro-and-dobbiaco-water-treasures.html

This leisurely hike leads below the Catinaccio/Rosengarten on a pleasant trail through forest and flowering mountain meadows to the Ochsenhütte hut. Homemade South Tyrolean specialities and delicious cakes can be enjoyed on the beautiful sun terrace with mountain views, while the children let off steam on the playground.

 

Pleasant, approximately two hour-long hike with wonderful views of the spa town of Meran/Merano.

With their crystal-clear waters, the Schrüttenseen lakes lie ensconced amidst Alpine roses, dark green Swiss stone pines and light-coloured boulders. This challenging hike starts at Schalderer Tal Valley, in the unspoilt high mountain valley above Vahrn/Varna.

This winter hike starts in Saltria and leads along the hiking trail towards Piz. From there the trail runs through the snow-covered landscape with a wonderful panoramic view of the Dolomites.

The tour starts at the source of the Adige river, the hike leads along the Venosta Valley high trail, past the Altgraun church tower and on to St. Valentin.

Along this sensory adventure trail, you can play, track animals and have endless fun in the countryside. And if you want, you can walk at least a part of the trail barefoot to make it all the more magical and fun. Are you excited?

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

Starting from Compatsch on the Seiser Alm (1835 m), passing the new wooden Franziskus church, we follow the small asphalt road that leads to Saltria across the alpine pasture. The traffic-calmed road across the alpine pasture area is used by the typical horse-drawn carriages and horse-drawn sleighs both in summer and in winter. Shortly after the Restaurant Panoramalift we use the pedestrian underpass and after a slight ascent we reach the natural monument Tschonstoan, a huge rocky outcrop, which is located directly at the roadside. The hike continues in slight ups and downs to the wide meadow of the Großes Moos (1860 m). Near a crossroads, we can decide here whether to continue in the direction of Saltria to the nearby Restaurant Ritsch Schwaige or turn left in the direction of Piz. If you continue walking, after a short descent (9%) you leave the asphalt road and take the unpaved road to the Sanon hut on the right. The road leads through beautiful alpine meadows and past several huts dominated by the rocky splendour of the Langkofel and Plattkofel mountains. At a gradient, a path branches off to the left which leads across the meadows down to the alpine pasture: At this point the path becomes much narrower, bumpier and in some places quite steep. Over some wooden footbridges we finally reach the nearby Sanon hut (1848 m). The hut is open all year round and offers a welcome stop for refreshments. The return to Compatsch follows the same route.

The newly created 360° Upper Vinschgau Valley is an adventure-packed circular hiking trail through the villages of the Upper Vinschgau Valley. For families and pleasure hikers the nine stages can be seen as individual hiking tips for day tours. Experienced hikers looking for a challenge can plan a hiking tour consisting of several stages.
At each stage interactive nature installations from local larch await young and grown-up hikers.

With the extraordinary profile of the Schlern mountain, the Seiser Alm is one of the most fascinating landscapes in the Dolomites and one of the most famous hiking and winter sports areas in Europe. Numerous legends and sagas about witches and other creatures that are said to have afflicted this area give the largest high alpine pasture in Europe a magical touch.

This pleasant, approximately one hour-long hike leads from Scena to the district of St. Georgen, which attracts visitors with its fresco-decorated round church and wonderful views of the mountains of Merano and Environs.

The cultural highlight of the four-hours hiking tour from San Martino in Monte to Silandro are the derelict varlet farms, but also Schlandersberg Castle from the 13th century A.D. and the San Egidio church.

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”.

Pleasant family hike from the mountain hamlet of Platten/Plata (1,600 m) to the alpine pasture Plattner Alm/Malga Plata, which invites you to linger and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding Dolomites.

Easy walk along the Schlossweg from the centre of the village of Dorf Tirol.

Panoramic family hike on the Schennaberg to the Rastlhof Farm. Rastlhof Farm is a paradise for animals alike: cats, ponies, a Bernese mountain dog and Highland cattle live on this farm!

Ski racers and mountaineers Hans and Paola Steger made their mark on the Seiser Alm like no other, before or since. Pioneers of mountaineering in the Dolomites, they made an immense contribution to the development of skiing on the Seiser Alm: The Hans & Paola Steger trail pays homage to their achievements. Info boards lining the route provide a host of information on the nature and culture of the Seiser Alm. A magnificent Dolomite panorama accompanies hikers along this leisurely yet fascinating trail. 

Easy hike through the mixed forest above Dorf Tirol/Tirolo to the Schwåmmplouder. The Schwåmmplouder is a stream pool or basin before a little waterfall. Ideal for a leisurely hike on hot summer's days.