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South Tyrol's fifth season: hiking and enjoyment in the realm of chestnuts and wine

Autumn, when the days are clear and the evenings are still warm, is the best time in South Tyrol for gourmets.

As soon as the vine leaves turn golden yellow and the grapes are harvested, the Törggele season begins in South Tyrol. Where chestnuts and wine grow, from the beginning of October to the end of November, farmhouse taverns open their parlours. Here you can taste South Tyrolean delicacies, such as homemade Schlutzkrapfen ravioli, Knödel dumplings, Surfleisch salt-cured meat and homemade sausages with sauerkraut, sweet Krapfen doughnuts and roasted chestnuts in a convivial atmosphere. This is traditionally served with “Siaße” (grape must) and young wine. The term Törggelen refers to the "Torggl" (Latin torquere, to turn), i.e. the wooden wine press in the farmers’ cellars. Discover one of our favourite traditions.

Törggelen like it was back then

What is the meaning of a bouquet, called a “Buschen” in South Tyrolean dialect, which hangs with a red ribbon on a South Tyrolean front door? 

It is the distinguishing feature of “Authentic Törggelen”: all farms with these “Buschen” fulfil the quality criteria of the Red Rooster trademark.
So guided tours through the chestnut groves await you here, and while sampling the first wine, you will get a taste of Törggelen. You can also try the popular “Sußer”, the fresh grape must, or the in-house Speck smoked ham from the smokehouse. At the end, the farmers light the “Keschtnfeuer” and finally the first chestnuts of the season are roasted over the fire.

Experience the traditional Törggelen here

In a Buschenschank or Hofschank farmhouse inn, time sometimes seems to stand still – and yet the hosts are enterprising and often innovative. Here you can experience real farm life and be served products from the field and garden in wood-panelled parlours.

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Eisacktal valley Chestnut Trail (Keschtnweg)

Here, autumn really feels like autumn. On the 90-kilometre-long Chestnut Trail between Vahrn/Varna near Brixen/Bressanone and Schloss Runkelstein castle near Bolzano/Bozen, you hike high above the Eisacktal valley between chestnut forests, farms and meadows, to Terlan/Terlano.

Two people walking across a meadow
A person holds chestnuts in their hand
Two people walking along the Chestnut Trail

In the realm of wine and chestnuts

The custom of “Törggelen” is lived where the two protagonists of the season have their roots: wine and sweet chestnuts.  

The leaves of the chestnut groves glow golden and, together with the warm hues of the vineyards, create a dreamy autumnal scene. In the picturesque landscape of the Törggele regions, numerous farmhouse inns and wine taverns await you. On the edge of small villages, along hiking trails or as part of an ensemble of several farmhouse taverns, which you can experience in a particularly impressive way in Lajen/Laion. In this place in the sunny low mountain range, your Törggele hike connects several rustic Törggele establishments with each other.

Find your accommodation

How about a charming room in a historic stately residence? A wellness hotel with outstanding architecture? A suite in a chic city hotel? Or a cosy place to sleep in a mountain hut?

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Tracking down chestnuts

When the days become shorter and the leaves in the valley and the larches at altitude slowly turn golden yellow, the Eisacktal Valley Chestnut Trail shows its most beautiful side. The classic autumn hike takes you in several daily stages from Neustift Monastery near Brixen/Bressanone across the Ritten high plateau to Schloss Runkelstein castle in Bolzano/Bozen. The trail is long, but not difficult: the stages are doable for everyone! They lead through small villages and wineries, chestnut groves and mixed forests and offer views of the Dolomites again and again. You should definitely plan one or two Törggele evenings!

Törggele Events

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting fresher, the time is here to celebrate the life and work of farmers: sitting together, taking time, eating, singing and enjoying the new wine and roasted chestnuts.

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All Törggele events in South Tyrol

Eisacktal Valley Chestnut Weeks

During the Eisacktal valley Chestnut Weeks, from October 19 to November 3 2024, the hosts and hostesses of the participating businesses will present a variety of recipes, while a program of hikes, exhibitions and festivals will celebrate this precious fruit from our homeland. 

Chestnut
Törggelen
Törgglen

Immerse yourself in the real South Tyrol

Why is the Törggele season so wonderful? Because our farmers serve up their farm-fresh produce with pride and joy, and a hike amongst the golden foliage and the white of the mountain peaks is something very special.

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