Hiking trails in Vinschgau/Val Venosta

Enjoy the serenity and spectacular views on this sunny trail in Taufers im Münstertal near Italy’s border with Switzerland and explore castle ruins, Romanesque buildings, and sacrificial stones.

Water flow: from May
Refreshment stop: in the inns in Taufers im Münstertal

From Tanas to San Martino in Monte/St. Martin im Kofel:

Difference in height: 1.360 hm
Descent: 1.120 hm
Length: 24,8 km
Duration: 8 - 8,5 h

The Val Venosta Alpine Ridgeway (Vinschger Höhenweg) in the Lower Vinschgau valley, from Stava/Staben to the source of the Etsch river at the Reschen Pass where three countries meet, is a true experience for passionate hikers. The stretch totals 108 km and follows existing and new footpaths, paths alongside "Waale" (historic irrigation canals) and connecting roads between farms.

The Alpine Ridgeway unites various stages that can be hiked as part of a multi-day tour or as a one-day excursion. The individual stages are easily accessible via access points in the villages in the valley. In order to help hikers keep their bearings, the entire Alpine Ridgeway is marked with a uniform red logo.

It is a truly remarkable experience to hike through the species-rich vegetation and impressive world of nature that could not be more filled with contrast. The trails on the Sonnenberg mountain feature diverse vegetation such as steppe grass and herbs. They also offer exciting views of the highest mountains in South Tyrol and the fertile valley below.

The best time for the hike is from April to October, although one should be aware that it can be very hot in summer.

Tip: special rates for the Val Venosta Alpine Ridgeway are available (B&B including luggage transport, hiking map of the ridgeway, return transport to the starting point).

Hike through the Uinaschlucht Gorge – on the Smugglers’ Paths

Fascinating hike on the High Alpine Trail of Schlinig/ Slingia to Uina Gorge, unique 900 m long high route cut into the rock in 1908-1910.

From Planol to the Glieshöfe farms:

Difference in height: 1,633 hm
Descent: 1,391 hm
Length: 26.8 km
Duration: 9.5 - 10 h

From San Martino in Monte to Stava/Staben:

Difference in height: 290 hm
Descent: 1.400 hm
Length: 13 km
Duration: 4 - 4,5 h

This trail wanders through a well established path network through the meadows and forests above Prato. This hike offers an impressive view of the village of Prato as well as the of the whole upper and lower Venosta valley.

Hike in the Stelvio national park with panoramic view of the opposite arid Monte Sole mountain.

This National Park hike starts in Göflan until the farm Haslhof. Enjoy the panoramic view of Val Martell, Lower Venosta Valley and Venosta Valley's Monte Sole mountain above the timberline.

Above Tarres you find the hike- & bikeparadise Tarres Alp. Hiker, extreme hiker or mountain biker are there in good hands. On the Laces Alp, Tarres Alp and the Mountain Restaurant Tarres Alp are served local specialities.

Family hike in a spruce wood, 3 ancient 400-500 year old spruces, 40 metres high, with a diameter of 175 cm and a circumference of 550 cm.

Half a century ago, a dozen spruce patriarchs watched over Rifair. Now there are only 3 spruces that have "survived". However, the tranquillity of this natural oasis is still a delight. 

From the parking area at the chair lift station Tarres on steep paths to the wonderful Lake Tarres.

The trail is located in the Stilfserjoch National Park and leads through a forest of spruce and larch.
Five information boards provide information about the history of the inclined railway:

the valley station and the construction of the incline railway from 1929
technical data about the incline railway
the St Martin church constructed in the 17th century, as well as marble transport in times before the construction of the incline railway when boulders were transported into the valley by means of brake slides,
hemp-rope pulleys and flatbed wagons pulled by oxen 
the mountain station with the machine house, the drive engine and the cylinder rope winch 
a brief company profile of the marble works in Lasa and a list of the historical mining sites

The hike can be done as a circular route, in combination with a visit to the “Gurgl” gorge in the lower Laaser Tal valley.
This section of the hike is not recommended for those uncomfortable with heights. All others can go along the trail through the Laaser Tal valley.

From Resia to Planol/Planeil:

Difference in height: 956 hm
Descent: 920 hm
Length: 20,5 km
Duration: 6 - 6,5h

Hike along the Latschander Waalweg canal. The "Waale" are irrigation systems and the water was drained and fed into the canals so that meadows and fields could be irrigated.

Excursion to the Plantapatsch Alpine Hut with a beautiful view to the valley and the mountains around
From the parking lot at the Watles family ski area’s valley station (1750 m),
follow the trail signs (ca. 200 m) in the direction Höfer group Prämajur
(food service), on the well-marked hiking trail through the wintery larch and
pine forest up to the Höfer hut (2010 m, refreshments). On to the
Plantapatsch Alpine Hut (refreshments). The way home follows the same
trail back to the starting point.

The Göflaner Marble Trail leads from "Kohlplätze" to the Göflaner marble quarry, known as "Mitterwandlbruch". Although the cave itself is out of bounds for security reasons, this 11-stage theme path tells the story of marble extraction in Göflan.

Monte Sole San Martino/ Sonnenberg St. Martin -Silandro/Schlanders This hike features unique panoramic views of the Val Venosta/Vinschgau Valley and Stelvio National Park. From Laces via the cable car to S. Martino in Monte. From the mountain cable car Station westwards, along the farm road to trail No. 14 towards Silandro. Passing the ruins of the Laggar and Zuckbühel farms and crossing the suspension bridge (70 meters long), it leads down the Tappein farm road and on to trail No. 14 to the Silandro Sport and recreational area. Alternative route: From the Tappein farm road, hikers can take trail No. 7 to Schlandersberg Castle and take the Ilswaal Irrigation channel path leading downhill to Corzes. This alternative route lengthens the hike by an 1 hour 30 min.

The mountain pasture Mastaun (open from the beginning of May to the end of October) is in the eponymous high mountain valley that branches off near Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau west of the Schnalstal Valley and extends up to a crown of 3000 m-peaks. A stream of crystal-clear water runs through the valley. The farmstead Mastaunhof, to which the mountain pasture belongs, was recorded in documents as early as 1356 and is one of the largest farms in the Schnalstal Valley. The pastures surrounding the mountain passture are unusually well-tended and simply magnificent. There are indications that many centuries ago the mountain pasture Mastaun was already in operation all year round.

The entire Merano High Mountain Trail (no. 24), one of the most stunning trails in the entire Alpine region, is 100 km in length, requires four to six days of hiking and is accessible from the beginning of July to the end of September (depending on the snow situation). At a relatively consistent altitude, this trail connects, to an extent, the high mountain climate of the Texel Group and the sub-Mediterranean climate of the Etschtal Valley. The hike through the various segments gives us a good insight into the world of the mountain farmers who worked to create and maintain this mountain and cultural landscape over the centuries.

From the Glieshöfe farms to Tanas:

Difference in height: 780 hm
Descent: 1.060 hm
Length: 21,7 km
Duration: 6 - 6,5 h

On the Smugglers paths - fascinating hike along the Schlinigtal valley high mountain trail to Uina gorge, a unique trail from 1908 - 1910 hewn in rock about 900 m long.

One of the most beautiful high mountain tours in the heart of the Stelvio National Park.