Difference in height: 468 m
Descent: 855 m
Length: 13 km
Duration: 5 h
The impressively steep and rocky tooth of the Sassongher rises directly before us, while far to the south we see the imposing and majestic northwest wall of the Civetta. Merely crossing the plateau on which the Puez Hut is located represents a unique experience for mountaineers without vast geological knowledge, with bizarre rock formations that only a whim of nature could create. The Pralongiá plateau offers a breathtaking view of the largest glacier in the Dolomites, the north face of the Marmolada.
Discover more: https://www.dolomitiunesco.info/attivita/dolomites-world-heritage-geotrail/?lang=en
From the Zufall hut to the Pizzini hut:
Difference in height: 1.008 hm
Descent: 585 hm
Length: 11,5 km
Duration: ca. 6,5h
From Lake Cancano to the the Stelvio Pass:
Difference in height: 1.776 hm
Descent: 918 hm
Length: 22 km
Duration: ca. 8h
The Merano High Mountain Trail, considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the entire Alpine region, is an approx. 100-km circular hike. It can be circumnavigated in both directions in five to eight daily stages.
The Merano High Mountain Trail is divided into a northern and a southern part. Extending along route 24 at a relatively constant altitude, the trail surrounds the Texelgruppe Nature Park. The northern part features the high mountain climate typical of the Texelgruppe range while the southern part boasts a sub-Mediterranean climate with characteristically lush flora. In particular, the southern part features fantastic views of the city of Meran and the Etschtal and Vinschgau valleys.
The lowest point of the trail is 839 m elevation while the highest section extends to nearly 3,000 m. Hikers along this route can ascend and descend to and from the Etschtal, Passeiertal and Schnalstal valleys. Additionally, there are numerous overnight accommodation options along the trail that make it possible to hike only individual stages or to tailor the route to personal preferences. The trail demands both sure-footedness and alpine experience and the exposed areas are always secured with chains or ropes.
Possible start and finish points: Katharinaberg, Unterstell, Hochmuth, Ulfas, Vellau, Giggelberg, Pfossental, Christl, Matatz
Duration: 5-8 days
Length: approx. 100 km
Total difference in altitude: 5,100 m
Lowest point: 839 m
Highest point: 2,895 m
Level of difficulty: for experienced mountain hikers
Best period: from July to September
Information about possible closed trails on maps.merano-suedtirol.it
General information: www.meranerhoehenweg.com
Our day on the mountains starts at Falzeben to reach the Meranerhütte. On the way you frequently pass different alpine huts where you can have a rest. For example, the "Zuegghütte", the "Rotwandhütte" or the "Waidmannalm". From the "Meraner Hütte" (1937m), you will pass the ridge "Kreuzjöchl" (1981m) to the mountain "Kartoffel" (2084m), the highest point of this hike. Crossing the ridge "Auener Jöchel" (1925m), you will descend to the "Stoanernen Mandlen" (2003m) and finally to the "Möltner Kaser" (1766m). Here you can always walk over gentle alpine meadows and on the "Stoanernen Mandlen" you have a particularly good view of the nearby Dolomites. Via "Möltner Joch" you will reach the parking space Schermoos and Meltina.
The new Ortler High Mountain Trail extends around the Stelvio National Park, from Venosta Valley in South Tyrol to Valtellina in Lombardy. With an altitude performance of 8,126 m across the entire route, this high Alpine hike circumnavigates the Ortler Group, in sections running at over 3,000 m altitude, and is one of the most demanding high-altitude routes in the Alpine region. Here, everything is demanded of even the most experienced mountain hikers: surefootedness, good fitness and suitable equipment are basic requirements for the seven-day tour, as one section runs over glacial terrain. The company of a mountain guide is recommended.
The Ortler High Mountain Trail is approximately 119.5 km long, and offers a highly unique experience in nature. It is divided into seven daily stages, each of which can be completed in six to eight hours. The individual stages of the circular hike can also be undertaken as eventful single-day hikes exploring the wide variety of local fauna and flora in the Stelvio National Park. The ideal time for all experienced mountain hikers is between June to September, with mild temperatures and clear visibility offering a unique panoramic view of the Ortler Group glaciers. Each stage of this high Alpine circular hiking trail offers its own special scenic highlights in the truest sense of the word.
The designated Alpine pastures and mountain huts along this high Alpine route are working farms and offer both food and accommodation to hikers.
Beautiful mountain hike with a wonderful view of the Merano region and the surrounding mountain scenery. There are some alpine pastures along the way that invite you to stop and relax.
From the Stelvio Pass to Stilfs/Stelvio:
Difference in height: 335 hm
Descent: 1.811 hm
Length: 18,5 km
Duration: ca. 7,5h
This multi-day hike at high altitude is through the tree linein the Stelvio National Park.Twisting its way around the imposing Laas/Lasa mountains,the breath-takingMarble Circuit Trailhas a total length of 80 km. Part of the formidable Ortler Alps, this spectacular mountain range is internationally renowned for its unusual pure-white Laas/Lasa marble. With stops along the way the circuit trail can be hiked in one go or split into six single-day stages.
Lining the Marble Circuit Trailare several panels delineating the rich natural diversity found along the trail. Each of these 30 info panels is centred on a specific theme. A further 10 orientation placards offering descriptions of the start and end of the trail are positioned at strategic points along the trail.
From Sant’Antonio to Lake Cancano:
Difference in height: 1.400 hm
Descent: 792 hm
Length: 16 km
Duration: ca. 8 h
Sarner Scharte, Sarentino/Sarnthein’s local mountain, is a ridge which extends from the frazione of Ponticino/Bundschen to the frazione of San Martino/Reinswald.
From Stilfs/Stelvio to the Düsseldorfer hut:
Difference in height: 1.796 hm
Descent: 397 hm
Length: 17 km
Duration: ca. 9h
On this stage, you will immerse yourself deeply in the legendary mountain landscape of the Dolomites. The trail leads you through the picturesque Tiers Valley and repeatedly offers breathtaking views of the majestic Rosengarten | Catinaccio massif, renowned for the so-called "Enrosadira" – the Alpenglow. Particularly impressive is the transition to the Niger Pass | Passo Nigra, from where the view opens up to the Latemar massif and the surrounding alpine meadows.
The Möltner Kaser is below the Stoanernen Mandlen and is a very beautiful alpine pasture with restaurant
This segment begins in Oberradein. Follow the Zirmersteig staircase uphill through the increasingly sparce high-alpine vegetation until you come to the Weisshorn (2,317 meters above sea-level). Here you can enjoy the fabulous panoramic view before embarking on the return trip down to the Jochgrimm. There are various refreshment options as well as plenty of opportunity to admire the very diverse flora of the alpine meadows. After a short breather, the segment goes up to the Schwarzhorn (2,439 m above sea-level).
From the Pizzini hut to Sant’Antonio:
Difference in height: 898 hm
Descent: 2.304 hm
Length: 20,5 km
Duration: ca. 8,5h
Stage 3 of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail II leads from the Karer Pass/Passo Costalunga through the heart of the Rosengarten mountain range, past the reef of the Schlern and on to the Tierser Alpl Mountain Refuge. The hiker will cross different environments of the Triassic atoll: the deep sea (Karerpass/Passo di Costalunga), the underwater escarpment (Rosengarten Massif) and the inner lagoon (Torri del Vajolet).
Multi-day trekking tour „Curona de Gherdëina” - On the crown of Val Gardena
“Curona de Gherdëina” is the unique trekking tour on the fascinating mountain crown of Val Gardena on over 2.000 height meters. The 60 kilometres long tour goes from the Natural Park Puez-Odle in the northeast (Unesco World Heritage), to the Sella plateau in the southeast and the Sassolungo mountain group in the south of the valley. The Dolomites show its particular beauty; on every part of the trekking the “pale mountains” seem to take different shapes. Relaxing opportunities are provided in the mountain huts in which you can enjoy typical dishes and live unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.
From the Düsseldorfer hut to the Zufall hut:
Difference in height: 913 hm
Descent: 1.363 hm
Length: 14 km
Duration: ca. 7,45h
This challenging hike begins from the Jochgrimm. You then have to master approx. 500 meters of altitude-differential until you come to the Schwarzhorn (2,439 meters above sea-level). The trail then leads you around and down the other side of the Schwarzhorn until you come to the Kugeljoch; from this pass, you have a magnificent panoramic view of the Fleims Valley. You can now proceed down the "Leitensteig" staircase until you reach the Kaltenbrunn "Ice Holes," where it's pleasantly cool even in the summertime. From Kaltenbrunn (where hikers will find a number of refreshment options and also access to public transportation), there is still a short segment slightly uphill to Truden. This is a uniquely beautiful hike and is – in spite of the level of difficulty – an absolute "must" for ambitious hikers.
Especially on warm days, the Marling mountain road is an ideal hiking path particularly on warm days, along the North-Eastern slope of the Marling mountain.
From the col at the northern end of Trodena/Truden, a trail leads south along the Forchwaldegg to the Rungganöhof farm. We continue walking along a forestry trail over meadows and then change to trail no. 5 through the forest to the shack "Peraschupf". If the weather is fine, you can enjoy an amazing view to the north of the mountain "Regglberg" and all the way back to the "Texelgruppe" and the Alps of the "Zillertal". Continuing through newly planted trees and humid habitats to the moorland "Langes Moos" and then to the alpine farm "Krabesalm" (open in summer, 1.540 m). By continuing to walk slightly downhill from here (no. 9 marker) we get to the col "Ziss-Sattel", the old edge between Anterivo/Altrei and Trodena. We return to Trodena along the European long distance path E5 through spruce and pine forests.
The fourth stage of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail II descends from Tierser Alpl Mountain Refuge to Seiser Alm (Europes largest Alpine pasture), past volcanic rocks, verdant meadows, and inviting mountain huts, until it reaches Ortisei/St. Ulrich in Val Gardena.