Hiking and mountaineering in South Tyrol

Looking after the environment is a simple gesture of people who love nature and the planet. Don’t throw litter on hiking trails or in the woods, but take it home to dispose of it properly. If you find waste bins, follow the local recycling rules.

Hiking gear

Before you head to the mountains, check you have the right equipment:

- sunscreen is needed at every altitude;

- appropriate clothing based on temperature;

- comfortable hiking boots with heightened grip, especially if you walk on long and steep hikes;

- flashlights and headlamps, if you're planning  to hike in the evening;

- a water bottle that can be filled with water from springs or drinking fountains along the trails.

Planning

Choose your hike based on your experience and physical ability. Don't forget to estimate the level of difficulty and length of your hike. Check the weather forecast in advance. 

For more safety, learn more on the avalanche bulletin.

Emergency

In case of injury or illness, call 112 for rescue service.

There are some good practices and habits you can build when you stay in the mountains:

• Respect the silence of nature and avoid making noise;
  
• Don't disturb the livestock and don't invade their personal space;
• Don't pick wildflowers and let them grow in their habitat;
• Stay on signposted trails and don't enter private areas;
• Lighting fires is prohibited when you are not in marked areas;
• Give way to mountaineers who are ascending when the trail gets narrower.

In South Tyrol people are accustomed to greet each other along trails. Greeting is therefore considered as a good way to be friendlier and more respectful of local customs. The most common greetings are in German "Grüß Gott", "Servus", "Hallo", in italian "Ciao", "Buongiorno" and in Ladin "Bun dé", Bun domisdé".

If you have chosen to take a bike ride instead of hiking, remember that some routes are shared by both cyclists and pedestrians. Don't speed up and to slow down when you see hikers.

Although a rare phenomenon in South Tyrol, you need to know how to behave if you ecounter a bear. Stay calm, talk firmly and if within your reach, use a whistle to ward it off. If the bear is with its cubs,, back away slowly.

Unless provoked, bears don't attack humans. In case the bear attaks you, lie down slowly with your face down.

If you encounter a wolf at close distances, back off slowly without turning away.

In critical situations, the SOS EU ALP app gives you assistance. It locates where you are and your position is then transmitted to the responsible control center, which can provide notifications to the medical services, mountain rescue, ground or air rescue units. This safety service is available in South Tyrol’s regions and Bavaria.