Sneeuwschoenwandelen in Zuid-Tirol

Easy winter hiking trail for the whole Family in Wiesen newar Sterzing / Vipiteno with a wonderful panoramic view.

An easy winter hike to the Matscheralm on the groomed winter trail. Perfect for families.

In the about 3 kilometers long loop road, twelve stations invite young and old to play and discover. Zipf and Zapf go along with the little natural scientists on their walk and narrate them interesting facts about the forest and its inhabitanst. At the same time the children have to crack several riddles to find the mysterious treasure at the end of the road. The trail is positioned amid of the talai forest in San Valentino. Don't forget to take paper and pencil to note the answers. Preprints also available at the Tourist Information.

The ample meadows on the Cresta di Luson-Lüsner Kamm plateau offer a never-ending choice of hiking routes. This particularly stunning one from the hamlet Elle-Ellen up to Cima Lasta-Astjoch (2147 m) boasts a number of unrivalled panoramic views. The hike/snow-shoe hike is among the most rewarding in this part of South Tyrol: The views from the peak out onto the surrounding mountains are simply unforgettable.

Italy’s first premium winter trail is located on the Rittner Horn mountain. Along the trail, especially during the descent from the Rittner Horn peak to the Unterhorn inn, you can enjoy panoramic views of the fascinating Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Route: the winter hike begins at the mountain station of the Bergbahn Rittner Horn cable car on the Schwarzseespitze peak. Pass by the Runder Tisch viewpoint and the “Dolomitoskop” on the panoramic trail no. 19 to the Unterhorn inn. Bear left at the Feltuner Hütte mountain hut and continue following the markers up to the Rittner Horn, the highest point. Head via the Alpine pastures down to the Unterhornhaus inn and to the Schwarzenseespitze.

An alternative route for families with children: take only the smaller circular route along the panoramic trail. Walking time: approx 1 hour.

Tip: The easy way to get from Bolzano/Bozen to Soprabolzano/Oberbozen is on the Rittner Seilbahn cable car. Continue on the narrow-gauge railway to Collalbo/Klobenstein. Finally take bus 166 to the valley station of the Bergbahn Rittner Horn cable car.

Another much-loved winter hiking trail starts out in Hafling/Avelengo, passes the Wurzer Alm and Vöraner Alm Mountain Huts, continues on to Kreuzjöchl and then across the snowy pass from Vöran/Verano to Hafling above the timberline.

Walking tour in the Valley of Planeil
From the mountain village of Planeil, trail No. 6 follows on the broad valley path through sloping meadows to the wall remains of the Petesetteshof farm. Continue on until the way forks left, from here go up to the Planol Alpine hut (2069 m).
Descent: from the hut downhill through Alpine pasture slopes, following trail No. 10 to above Planeil village and at the end take a steep right down to the starting point.

Attention: This snowshoe hike requires knowledge of avalanches and snow safety.

This route with its moderate rise is suitable for baby buggy. You will need just 45 minutes passing through the broad forest road. 

The Malga Giogo di San Genesio (Jenesier Jöchl-Alm) is a typical South Tyrolean Alpine hut  with grazing animals and snack bar, situated on one of the most beautiful high plateau between Salto/San Genesio, Merano2000 and Val Sarentino, tested and awarded from the influential restaurant guide Gault Millaut 2016. 

From the terrace of the hut you will have a beautiful view to the Dolomites and the Mendel Crest.

Snowshoe tour on old paths

Starting point: Val Casies / S. Maddalena head of the valley (1465m)
Distance: 6,1 km
Descent: along the ascending route
Walking time: 02:30 h
Difficulty: difficult
Difference in altitude: 740 m
Information: also feasible with touring skis | southern exposure

The “Stoanerne Mandln“ stone men are located atop a remarkable knoll on Alpine pasture and tower at an elevation of 2,000 metres. Human figures made of stone such as these can also be found in other parts of South Tyrol: they served as a landmark frequently or were simply built by shepherds to pass the time.

From the main square `Von Kurz` in Niederdorf/Villabassa we follow hiking trail 27 towards "Maistatt". The partly asphalted path leads through an idyllic winter landscape to "Altschluderbach". We continue through sparse forest with views of the Dolomites to "Rienz". The return journey is via the familiar route or by train or bus.

According to oral tradition, after the dissolution of the Carthusian monastery of Allerengelsberg in 1782, the farmed Alpine pastures of Klosteralm at 2,152 m became the property of a number of families in Certosa/Karthaus who set up a syndicate which has thirty members today. The farm was only accessible by a narrow mountain path until a transport cable car was built in 1959. Thanks to the avalanche barrier beneath the Kreuzspitze, a road link was provided as an “ancillary benefit”. Due to its steep and stony pastures, the farm has been used almost exclusively as a typical farm for young cattle.

A lovely winter hike that goes gently but steadily uphill. Almost the entire hike passes through snowy woodland and beautiful winter landscapes, making it wonderfully peaceful and relaxing.

The Three-Alpine-Farms Hike, which leads to three different alpine farms, affords fabulous views as it leads hikers through the plateau’s unique winterlandscape and past the Bruggen Pond.

Signposted as „Sonnenrundweg“ trail (Sun Path), this simple 1 hr. 45 min. hiking circuit crossing over sunny slopes and through shady woods leads off the parking lot near the church. In winter the wooded sections are ideal for snowshoe hiking.

Refreshment stops: Various taverns in Stulles

The trail is not suitable for pushchairs.

A short hike ideal for families alongside the stream Kaserillbach. At the end, you will be awarded with an amazing view and fresh cheese of own production.

Itinerary from Schmiederalm to Schönrastalm, Neuhütt, Auerleger and Laneralm back to Schmiederalm.

Start: Bergstation Seilbahn Vigiljoch, 1.486 m
Gehzeit: ca. 1 Stunde 15 Minuten
Länge: 3.424 m, Aufstieg 322 m

The Stone Men (Stoanernen Mandlen) - Moonlight and Satan’s milk - the true story of the Val Sarentino witch ‘Pachlerzottl’

Barb (Barbara) Stöckele married Kunz Pachler and moved to the Bachlerhof from her home on the opposite side of the valley. The cheerful young farmer’s wife brought new prosperity to the farmstead, though Katl Hiller, the former housekeeper at the Bachlerhof grew suspicious of her. Several years later, after no heir to the farm had been born, Katl took Kunz aside, asking if he hadn’t noticed that Barb was involved in black magic and saying that God would never entrust her with a child. Kunz became increasingly estranged from Barb, who grew lonely and depressed realising she had been abandoned. One day Katl observed her as she splashed around in a water trough, deep in thought. Straight afterwards a devastating thunder storm broke out over the Sarntal valley and all Windlahn blamed it on Barb, saying she had brought it about by magic. Barb soon realised that she had been branded a witch, and that every kind of misfortune was attributed to her: the death of a child, just as much as a cornfield flattened by hail. Barb became a recluse and hid at her mother’s for weeks on end. After her mother’s death she went to ruin, wandering from place to place, homeless, in rags, ‘zottelig’ (unkempt, with matted hair). The accusations of witchcraft accumulated and she, the ‘Pachlerzottl’ was imprisoned in Schloss Reineck castle. Under torture she admitted to making mice out of coal, to putting a spell on milk, to riding on a broomstick to the Steinernen Mandlen at Auen, to masticating children and to copulating with the devil. She was tried in the Kellerburg in 1540 and the trial records are still preserved complete. ‘Pachlerzottl’ was condemned to death for witchcraft and burnt alive at the ‘Galgenangerle’ (gallows corner) at the northern end of Sarnthein where the Öttenbach stream runs into the Talfer.

The Pachlerzottl tragedy is re-enacted as a play on the first three Thursday evenings in July, with the original Steinernen Mandeln as a backdrop.

Beautiful circular snowshoe hike across the Eisa meadows to the Matscher Alm.

Winter hike from the Watles valley station, via the Höferalm to the Plantapatschhütte.

Trail of Legends: San Genesio Atesino/Jenesien Remarkably, it was 132 students from the municipality of San Genesio Atesino who are responsible for the creation of this fabulous Trail of Legends, which they based on 14 myths from their community. Trail of Legends: San Genesio Atesino/Jenesien Starting point: Salto Parking Area (sports fields in San Genesio Atesino) Highest point: 1.500

Easy winter hiking tour in the Avinga valley near the border to Swiss.

A beautiful winter hiking tour on the Lauzaun plateau (2,430 m. a.s.l). Here you are rewarded with a fantastic view of several 3,000 m peaks.