Hikes in Meran/Merano and environs

The Spronser lakes are found at the center of the Texel Group Nature Park, one of the largest high mountain lake districts in the entire Alps. They are fed with melted snow water and are a real highlight of the Texel Group Nature Park. Their clear waters reflect the surrounding landscape and they are a popular place with walkers and hikers. The ten little lakes, which lie at an altitude of between 2,117 mt. and 2,589 mt., are the highest mountain lakes in South Tyrol.
The lakes include the Kasersee 2,117 mt., the Pfitschersee 2,126 mt., the small Mückensee 2,330 mt., the Grünsee 2.338 mt., the Langsee 2,377 mt., the Schiefersee 2,501 mt., the Kesselsee 2,512 mt., the Schwarzsee 2,589 mt. and the two Milchseen at 2,540 mt.

The Tappeinerweg trail is an approx. 6 km long promenade in the city of Meran/Merano. Long sections of the path offer wonderful views of the city of Merano. The Tappeinerweg has a wide variety of predominantly Mediterranean trees and shrubs.

A varied circular hike that takes you to South Tyrol's most impressive waterfall, the famous fountain "Elisabethquelle" through picturesque alpine landscapes and cozy rest stops – a perfect combination of nature, activity, and enjoyment!

The Alta Via Tirolo starts and ends in the tourist centres of Mayrhofen and Meran. Between the two, there are 130 km of hiking paths with ascents of 9000 m in total and descents of 10,000 m in total. It is possible to do this tour in 11 to 13 days.

You are rewarded with breathtaking views of the impressive mountains of various characteristics. The ice giants of the Ziller Alps, the dark mountains of the main Alps, the pale Dolomite peaks of the Tribulaune, the high peaks of the Passeier Valley as well as the largest high Alpine group of lakes in South Tyrol and then of course, the apple orchards of Meran.

The Tiroler Höhenweg/Alta Via Tirolo … Discover pure nature!

"Of water and of light" - untouched nature in the Zieltal valley in the Texel Group Nature Park!
At the back of Partschins/Parcines lies the spectacular water-rich Zieltal valley in the middle of the Texel Group Nature Park.
Water is an essential basic element of the nature park. It appears in the Zieltal as a waterfall, spring or rushing stream and here it also impressively demonstrates its shaping and landscape-forming power. Here the Zielbach river plunges into the depths as an almost 100 m high Partschins/Parcines waterfall.

This hike through the Ziel Valley, in the heart of the Texel Group Nature Park, will give you a unique experience of nature!
This hike is only recommended for hikers in good physical condition!

This eventful hike over the broad alpine meadows of Merano 2000 passes through the picturesque natural surroundings at the foot of the Ifinger. Along the way there are cozy huts and rustic alpine pastures offering refreshment. 

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.

This scenically enchanting hike over the broad alpine pastures of the Hirzer region is especially recommended during the alpine rose flowering season from late June to early July when the pastures are resplendent in shimmering red. 

Avalanche risk: Little danger of avalanches in general but when there is fresh snow, it is advisable to go back the same way!

Refreshment stop: Schönau inn

Following the path along the old irrigation canals you come to a stunning lookout point above Naturno. This panoramic hike offers fantastic views of the Schnalstal Valley, Juval Castle and Vinschgau Valley, as well as of the Sonnenberg.

The Hintereggalm forms part of the Tall pastures and has been used as a summer meadow for rearing local agricultural animals for generations. The area has been popular with the many hikers that visit it from an early stage, meaning that food and drink have been available at the Hinteregger Alm hut since the 1970s.

On top of Windspitz peak the gaze wanders over the mighty Ifinger/Mount Ivigna, whose silhouette seems tangible here.

From Mittager/Mount Cantino you get an awe-inspiring panoramic view which reach as far as the most dramatic summits in the Dolomites as well as the Ortler/Ortles and Texelgruppe/Tessa Group.

The hike requires a good physical condition.

From the right side of car park, follow the service road uphill. Afterwards, a hiking trail, briefly bearing left, leads through the forest for a short time and then over a meadow and through a forest once more. One finally reaches a high plateau with numerous hay barns. Head right uphill past the barns ascending through a steep piece of woodland that ends in a shelf and leads along an increasingly narrow ridge towards the peak of the Platter Berg mountain. From the peak, follow the same route back to the starting point.

ATTENTION: Always be informed about snow conditions and avalanche risk before setting off.

Starting point of this hike is the mountain station of the chairlift Vigiljoch at 1.814 m. From here, you walk slightly downhill to Gasthaus Jocher and continue to the farmed Bärenbad Alm. Continue on path no. 2, which leads into path no. 9.

At a fork in the direction of Naturnser Alm, walk on path no. 9 A slowly ascending to Naturnser Alm (1,910 m). The way back is via the ascent path.

Variant 2: The return path is via path no. 30 and no. 9 to Gasthof Jocher, further down on path no. 34 to the mountain station of the cableway Vigiljoch.

Waalwege are paths along the ancient irrigation channels. From the Ungericht Hof farm (Neolithic engraved stone), follow the road for approx. 10 minutes up to the Mutlechnerhof farm (837m) from where the markers lead in a further 15 minutes to the 600-year-old Caines canal along a more or less flat trail. Follow this to its origin, the irrigation canal frame at the Finelebach stream (1,020m). This will take about 90 minutes. On the other side of the bridge, hike to the right of the canal some 100 m down into the valley, then turn sharply to the left onto the lower canal trail that takes you through shady woods back to the Ungericht Hof.

The path is not suitable for pushchairs.

Avalanche risk: Beware of avalanches below the hut and across the Faltschnalbach torrent!

Refreshment stop: Zeppichl inn

Avalanche risk: Between Sailerhof farm and the ascent to Seebergalm mountain hut there is the risk of avalanche in conditions of abundant snow. Caution must also be exercised on the final section of the descent to the Wanser Bach torrent!

Refreshment stop: Auerhof inn

Outing to the biggest mountain lake in the valley

Although this hike does not present particular challenges it is nevertheless enjoyable, leading through characteristic Alpine pastures. On the return, experienced and sturdy hikers can take the rough track on the right side of the valley.

Starting point: Timmelsbrücke bridge km 19,7

Endpoint: Timmelsbrücke bridge km 19,7

Refreshment stop: Timmelsalm pasture

The alpine path through the pastures in the Talle/Hirzer hiking area stretches from Videgg over the Stafell Alm to the Mahdalm and mostly runs above the tree line, meaning that this hike offers unforgettable views of the surrounding mountain landscape, especially in good weather. This route is especially worth trying in late-June, when the beautiful fields of Alpine roses on the southern slope are in full bloom.

Not only when the Alpine roses are in bloom (approx. early-July) does the area around the Tallner Alm offer a wonderful countryside experience in the heart of the Alpine mountain formations and pastures which have been shaped by local agriculture.

The European hiking trail E5 is 3,200 kilometres long and leads from the Atlantic coast of France across the Alps to Venice. A highlight of the entire trail leads through the hiking area of Schenna, via the Hirzer Hut to the Meraner Hut on Meran 2000.

The European long-distance hiking trail E5 is 3,200 kilometers long and leads from the Atlantic coast of France, over the Alps, to Venice. A section of the long-distance hiking trail number 5 runs through South Tyrol in four stages, one of which goes through the Hirzer hiking area. From the Hirzerhütte hut (1,980 m), which was inaugurated in 1874 as the first Alpine Club hut in South Tyrol, it goes over the Hirzerscharte to the Kratzberger See at 2,128 m and further to the Meraner Hütte hut.

Passing between two manned shelters and the picturesque Seeber See lake beneath the glacier, this hike does not require any special precautions.

Starting point: Seeber parking lot

Endpoint: Seeber parking lot

Refreshment stop: Seeber Alm pasture, Oberglaneggalm pasture 

>> It's great to be walking, especially when swapping the daily grind for a holy place. <<

From Thaur to San Romedio, on the Pilgrims' trail, one cannot but marvel at the spectacle of sanctuaries, wayside shrines, breath-taking landscapes, pastures and mountain crossings. Along its 180 km length with a difference in altitude of 9,800 m, the trail leads to the sanctuary of San Romedio in Trentino, with two stages passing through the Passeiertal Valley.

Avalanche risk: In case of abundant fresh snow

Refreshment stop: Auerhof inn, Wanserhof inn

This route follows the forest road, along an old and gradually ascending military route (easy route), with some Alpine terrain (individual snow fields are possible).

The crossing of the Eisjöchl ridge is only advised when the Stettiner Hütte Alpine hut is open (normally between 1 July – end of September, depending on weather conditions). Information about the opening hours can be obtained from the Schnalstal Valley tourist office or the Passeiertal Valley tourist office, which can  also inform you about current conditions on the ridge.

The Stettiner Hütte was swept away by an avalanche in 2013/14. It was rebuilt in 2020/2021 and has been open again since summer 2022.

Hiking time:
Eishof–Eisjöchl–Stettiner Hütte · 3 hours
Stettiner Hütte–Plan · 3 hours

(4 hours ascent)

Total hiking time: about 6-7h

Impressive hike over the alpine pastures of the Hirzer region. This delightful hike including a cable car ride captivates with its splendid views and idyllic spots that encourage walkers to stop and linger for a while. 

Experiencing the fascinating high Alpine lake plateau in South Tyrol

Both challenging for the considerably steep climb as well as its duration, this hike is also worth the effort with a spectacular mountain terrain and the fascinating high Alpine lakes.

Starting point: Pfelders/Plan

Endpoint: Pfelders/Plan

Refreshment stop: Faltschnalalm mountain hut, Lazinser Alm pasture, Lazins/Lazines

The stone men are located at an elevation of 2,000 metres on the Tschögglberg mountain plateau. Here you’ll find human figures made of stone. Myriad tales are linked to this place.