Hiking in South Tyrol

How is tasty mountain cheese made?
The ‘Drei Zinnen’ display dairy at Dobbiaco/Toblach and the ‘Milk Mile’ at Sesto/Sexten provide answers to questions like this. The local Alpine dairy farming world is explained along an interactive woodland trail. Interested visitors can try their hand at milking using a wooden cow and read how the various cheese types are made.

This hiking tour will lead us through a pine wood to the idyllic Lake Göller, to the “Göller Spitz” (Peak Göller) and the “Rotwand”, a spectacular cliff with an amazing panoramic view of the South Tyrolean mountains and the Val d’Adige. On our way home we will see a ruin called “Burgstallegg” and one of the most beautiful biotopes in South Tyrol, the “Pigleider Moos”.

Snowshoe tour from Zans, about the Gampenwiesen, to the hutGampen Alm. Return with the toboggan to Zans or to St. Magdalena/Ranui.

This relaxed walk does not require any experience or sure-footedness: It runs along an easy path which is also suitable for children.

At the foot of the Geisler peaks. During this snowshoe hike to the hut Dusler Alm and Glatschalm hikers can admire the up over 3000 meters towering pinnacles, peaks and towers of the Geisler close.

The wine teaching trail Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | On the 1.6 km path through the vineyards of Cortaccia, hikers can trace all of the important things that happen over the course of the wine-growing year. You’ll learn about wine cultivation, landscape, and history at a number of different information stations along the way. You can also smell different aromas found in wine. | The wine teaching trail Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | Starting point: The main square of Cortaccia/Kurtatsch | Highest point: 400

Easy, three-hour hike around the top of Mount Kronplatz, suitable for all hiking levels.

Starting point of the snowshoe hiking tour is the funicular railway to Resciesa, ascend with the funicular railway (for a fee); tour along Rasciesa in direction to Brogles and Geisler Alm; afterwards it is recommended to do a toboggan ride (toboggan rental at Geisler Alm) until Ranui

A narrow rocky gorge, thundering water, and a breathtaking view – the “Hölle” - the hell waterfall is an impressive natural spectacle you definitely shouldn’t miss. The water plunges about 46 metres down a steep rock face, creating a scene that is both powerful and mesmerizing.

The waterfall is also known as a weather oracle: in good weather, fine spray rises and glistens in the sunlight, resembling smoke – that's when “Hell smokes.” On cloudy or rainy days, the effect disappears, giving the waterfall its reputation as a natural weather indicator.

Your short hike to the “Hölle” begins conveniently at the parking area in Stein/Innerpflersch. First, you follow a paved road that soon becomes a well-maintained forest path. This peaceful walk through nature already makes the approach a special experience. After a while, you’ll reach a viewing platform offering an impressive first look at the waterfall.

But your journey doesn’t end there: a narrow trail leads you to a stunning viewpoint, where you can enjoy not only the full beauty of the waterfall but also sweeping views of parts of the Pflersch Valley. On sunny days especially, it’s worth pausing here to soak in the serenity and raw power of this unique spot.

When you take the so-called Solder Hiking Trail, you will start in the village center of Truden to the "Leger" outlook platform. You will pass by the Jäger Cross, and then proceed along the staircase. Suddenly, you will find yourself amidst spectacular alpine scenery where dwarf pines, alpine rhododendrons, the dryas, and other plant species dominate the landscape. From the "Hochwand," you can admire a vast and beautiful panorama. Continue on your way until you come to the Cisloner Alm (managed). From there, you proceed along the trail – similar to a balcony ("Solder" is Tyrolean for "balcony"). You will pass by several great outlook points as you return to the village center.

A hike to a beautiful pasture beneath the Geisler Mountains. You can stop by to eat at the alpine hut Geisler Alm which offers also a playground for children.

Although the trail itself is neither very exposed nor particularly difficult, this hike is a long one and requires a certain amount of stamina. The peak offers stunning 360° panoramic views out onto the central Alps and the Dolomites.

A stroll through times long gone

More than 2000 years ago, the Pusteria/Pustertal valley was put under the administrative control of the Roman Empire. Today, a stroll through Casteldarne/Ehrenburg reveals many a witness of the times when the valley formed part of the Noricum Province, formerly a vast Celtic kingdom. A 2 m column sculpted from quartz phyllite is one of the best-preserved Roman milestones. Erected under the rule of Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus, it marks the distance to the Roman city of Aguntum near Lienz in East Tyrol. The magnificent Ehrenburg Castle, which dates back to 1250, is another sight not to be missed. Casteldarne/Ehrenburg with its traditional wooden fences and pretty dry stone walls, is the ideal place to stop, sit back, and take in the marvelous views of the soft-rolling meadows and craggy peaks of the Fundres/Pfunders massif.
There are a number of inns to take a well-deserved break at: Gasthof Gatterer, Gasthof Obermair, and Hotel zur Post.

Although easy in terms of required hiking skills, its long duration makes this hike a medium-difficult one.Trail numbers: 8 + 4 + 7

When you take this extra segment, you will begin from Gfrill, which is located at approx. 1,300 meters above sea-level, and continue to Buchholz at 560 meters above sea-level. At first, you'll have a pleasant, relaxing stroll downhill until you come to Unterstein. You can then continue along the old aerial lift trail until you reach the vestiges of an old cableway. The trail then goes downhill until you come to the brook where the Truden Faultline is especially noticeable. This boundary is distinctly visible not only on the basis of the different geological strata (dolomites and porphyry), but also due to the abrupt change in vegetation. You can then continue to the small village of Buchholz.

The looped trail around the lake is well worth the effort because a pastoral pathway runs directly along the waterfront and is, of course, particularly beautiful from about mid-July when the reservoir is full. In the winter, water is released from the reservoir to generate electricity and, depending on the water level, the tower of the immersed church may be visible. There are some photos on display in the chapel in Vernagt of the flooded plain and farms.

Itinerary from Schmiederalm to Schönrastalm, Neuhütt further to Kösertal and Schmiederalm.

Start with snowshoes at Eistil Boden (car park below Russis bridge), towards Schatzerhütte. From there continue along path no. 9 and over the Piskoierböden to the hut Halslhütte. Return via path no. 10 to the starting point.

Start at Car park Zans (1680 m) towards the hut Kaserill Alm and continue via Wörndle Loch to the summit cross of Zendleser Kofel (2423 m).