Snowshoe Hiking in South Tyrol

At the entrance to the Münstertal valley lies the Tellakopf, a pleasant hiking peak that is also ideal for an easy ski tour. This rewarding tour destination offers breathtaking views of the Vinschgau Valley, the Münstertal Valley, the Ötztal Alps and the Ortler Mountains.

A beautiful panorama tour across the Aschtalm, Pfinnhütten, Pfinnscharte and Hoher Mann

Starting point: Head of the valley in St. Magdalena in the Val Caises Valley (1465 m)
Descent: back via the ascent route
Hiking time: ca. 3 ½ hours
Level of difficulty: easy ski mountain that requires some endurance
Altitude difference: 1100 m
Slope exposure: south + east

The entrance to the Langental valley is located in Selva Gardena and runs through a pleasant walking and hiking path with views of the Stevia massif and the walls of the Puezgruppe on the left, as well as the Chedul Mountains and Col Turond on the right. Along the path you can find the mystical Silester Chapel.

The circular hike Martinsweg is an easily walkable circular trail named after the little church of St. Martin, near the Eggerhöfe farm houses. The Martinsweg is signposted as saasy family hiking tour with spectacular mountain views!

Short, pleasant route along the "Kondlwaal "irrigation channel to Greithof and back to the Stallwies inn.

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.

Snowshoe tour: The “Gsieser Törl” – over centuries a strategic passage for man and beast: pilgrims, smugglers, pedlars, hunters, shepherds, as well as the odd lover…

Starting point: Head of the valley in St. Magdalena in the Gsieser Valley 1465 m
Descent: back via the ascent route, from Kradorfer Alm left turn is also possible
Hiking time: 2 ½ hours
Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult; technical difficulties are minor; but last part of the climb is steep
Altitude difference: 745 m

The mountain pasture Lafetz lies on 2,015 m a.s.l in the middle of a magnificent natural landscape. There you will be rewarded with an exclusive view of the Similaun, the Ötztal Alps and the place of discovery Ötzi.

Tranquil low mountain hike – clockwise through meadows and woods of the Taistner Unterrain

Starting point: crossroad 100 m after the Hotel Alpen Tesitin in Taisten
Altitude difference: 260 m
Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours
Level of difficulty: easy and ideal terrain for snowshoe hiking
Important: Orientation in forest difficult when leaving marked path
Please note: this is only a snowshoe hike
Rest point: mountain restaurant Mudler Hof

The climatic terrain cure is a special form of exercise therapy characterised by activity adapted to one’s fitness level, endurance training, and time spent in the outdoors experiencing the landscape, which is carried out through a personalised walking programme.

So-called terrain hiking improves endurance and agility, increases speed and flexibility, reinforces the cardiovascular system, stimulates breathing activity and strengthens muscles, ligaments and joints. It has a positive impact on the metabolism, activates the digestive system and noticeably increases the expenditure of calories.
The climatic terrain cure is recommended for functional cardiovascular disorders, respiratory and metabolic disorders, and above all is a tried and tested method of primary prevention and general health promotion.
The "Terrainkur" trails in Partschins/Parcines have been certified  by the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich.

The snowshoe hike begins at the Schwarzseespitze, the mountain station of the Bergbahn Rittner Horn cable car.

Route: take trail no. 19 to the Unterhornhaus inn and continue on the gently ascending trail to the highest point, the Rittner Horn, which is especially popular in winter due to the many hours of sunshine that can be enjoyed here.

Tip: travel from Bolzano/Bozen to Soprabolzano/Oberbozen on the Rittner Seilbahn cable car. Continue on the Rittner Bahn narrow-gauge railway to Collalbo/Klobenstein. Continue on bus 166 to the valley station of the Rittner Horn cable car.

Panoramic snowshoe escursion over the Sarner Scharte peak to the Rittner Horn

The classic Val Casies Valley ski and snowshoe hike through the Pfoital and to the Hochkreuzspitze

Starting point: Head of the valley in St. Magdalena in the Gsieser Valley 1465 m
Hiking time: 4 ½ hours
Level of difficulty: moderate – difficult; for average skiers, the route offers a wide and open terrain with only a few steep slopes that only require extra caution following fresh snow
Altitude difference: 1274 m
Slope exposure: southwest

With a view towards the Dolomites

Starting point: parking lot at Tesido above the Mudler mountain farm (1620m)
Distance: 6,1 km
Descent: circular hike
Walking time: 04:00 h
Difficulty: medium
Difference in altitude: 525 m
Information: also feasible with touring skis

This hike takes you past Totenkirchl Chapel and picturesque Totensee Lake to the peaks of Villandro (Villanderer) Mountain.

Snowshoe tour with a panoramic view

Starting point: Val Casies Valley/ Colle Hotel Stoll (1255m)
Distance: 5 km
Descent: along the ascending route
Walking time: 03:0 h
Difficulty: difficult
Difference in altitude: 733 m

The tour to the Watleskreuz leads along a comfortable path through the wintry landscape. Here, above all, the beautiful mountain scenery becomes a highlight for the winter hiker.   

The mountain pasture Mastaun is also temporarily managed in winter. It is located in the high mountain valley of the same name, the Maustaun Valley, and belongs to the farmstead Mastaunhof, which is one of the largest farms in the Schnalstal Valley in terms of area. There are some indications that several centuries ago the mountain pasture was still a farm that was inhabited all year round.

The Fundres/Pfunders massif offers a wide range of hiking options with anything from soft-rolling hills to steep slopes leading up to craggy peaks. Gorgeous excursions for both summer-time hikers and winter sports fans – all topped off by breath-taking 360° panoramic views.

The untouched Lagauntal, one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol, and the mountain pasture Bergl are also a popular place of excursions in winter. You hike through a snowy, idyllic high mountain landscape with extensive larch forests.

The “Rotlahner” – an easy but famous ski mountain in the Gsieser Alps

Starting point: Head of the valley in St. Magdalena in the Gsieser Valley 1465 m
Descent: back via the ascent route
Hiking time: 3 ½ hours
Level of difficulty: medium to difficult; with the exception of two steep slopes (one just beneath the Kasermähder Alm and the other in the area of the Heimwaldjoch) there are no considerable technical difficulties concerning the route
Altitude difference: 1270 m
Slope exposure: mainly southwest slopes

Panoramic snowshoe tour passing by the Aschtalm hut

Starting point: Val Casies / S. Maddalena head of the valley (1465m)
Distance: 7,5 km
Descent: along the ascending route
Walking time: 04:00 h
Difficulty: difficult
Difference in altitude: 687 m

Superb hiking options along the ample ridge leading up to Monte Sommo-Sambock and a singular 360° view down onto Brunico-Bruneck, the Dolomites and the Zillertal Alps.

With snow shoes from S. Maddalena to S. Martino

Starting point: Val Casies / S. Maddalena head of the valley (1465m)
Distance: 3,8 km
Descent: with public transportation
Walking time: 02:00 h
Difficulty: easy
Difference in altitude: 110 m

Walking along snowy meadows, through romantic larch forests in winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and traced path and discover the beauty of the rear Schnalstal Valley. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.

The Sesto ski touring trail teaches you everything you need to know for safe ski touring during a tour lasting just under two hours. The ski touring trail combines basic theoretical knowledge, for example about the correct behaviour in the event of an avalanche, with an almost six-kilometre tour on which around 540 metres in altitude have to be conquered. The ski touring trail, which is equipped with information boards, starts behind the Zin Fux restaurant and leads between trees and across meadows to the Rotwand. From there to the mountain station, the uphill kick turn is practised in open terrain before returning to the valley via the ski slope.

This hiking trail starts from the fraction Daunei, from where you reach the Juac hut. Continuing you get to the Firenze refuge (closed in winter) and from there down to the cablecar Col Raiser. Along the whole path you can enjoy the wonderful panorama.

Hiking along white meadows, past over ancient farmsteads, in the midst of winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and prepared winter hiking trail in Madonna di Senales. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.