Warto zobaczyć Południowy Tyrol

Once you are here, take a hike through the Sommersürs biotope, also called Samesirs, located in a basin between the villages of Naz and Fiumes/Viums. The small habitat of little more than 2 hectares is a biotope of diverse fauna and flora. It is an invaluable refuge for numerous aquatic insects and birds, along with amphibians and reptiles. Cattail, sedge, and marsh clover populate the shallow lake shore.

Other nature habitats in the Natz-Schabs holiday region include Raiermoos, Zussis and Laugen.

The tour leads through the village of Natz and then turns right onto the Villages round trip [Dörferrunde] through the Fruhnwald forest up to the Waldertor viewpoint. Past Viums and the Viummer Kreuz cross, the route leads mainly through forest paths up to Schabs. Continue through the village trip through forest and later through orchards and then go left along the Villages round trip, up to the Flötscher Weiher pond. At the Seehof Hotel, cross the road and continue through meadows and woods, always
along the signposted road to Raas. Continue through the cultural grounds passing the water reservoir back to the street towards Natz. Follow the street to the right, at the Laugen sports field following the sign Dörferrunde. From here, the Villages round trip leads back to the starting point.

From Katharinaberg/Monte S. Caterina to Mountain pasture EishofRoute description

The Merano High Mountain Trail climbs upwards along a forest slope overlooking the mountain village of Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg and is accessible by car and bus. The bus stop is in the village itself and there is also an unattended car park that is free of charge. From there, follow the trail signposts until you reach the Merano High Mountain Trail. Continue upwards along the road as far as Montferthof farm (1,471 m a.s.l). Just after the farm, staying on the trail, cross the steep arid slopes with their unassuming flora. Passing through meadows, meandering up and down along the trail, you soon reach the distinctive turn into Pfossental valley. The trail drops slightly along an extended forest slope. Care should be taken in the tunnel valley due to falling rocks - even without rain or the like! After passing Infanglhof farm you will reach the road, stay to the right of it and the trail continues upwards to the next inn. Gasthof Inn Jägerrast (1,693 m a.s.l), at the end of the public road, is a very popular spot with hikers. A wide trail continues on through a sparse forest into Pfossental valley. If you are watching closely, you might spot the chamois on the opposite side of the valley or a golden eagle that is casually flying through the canyon, as their nests are in the valley cliffs. Having passed a wayside shrine, after a distinctive right turn in the trail, you will see the Mountain pasture Mitterkas (1954 m a.s.l) and further along the Mountain pasture Rableid (2,004 m a.s.l). After these two possible stops, the trail continues through a Larch forest. Further on, you come to the Mountain pasture Eishof (2,071 m a.s.l). Rising up from here, you will see the striking Hohe Weiße (3,278 m a.s.l), its name taken from the bright limestone, and to the left of the valley, the Hohe Wilde (3,480 m a.s.l) with its dark rock.

Marvel the impressive spectacle of the Lappach Klamm above Lappach/Lappago. Feel the cooling freshness on your skin, breathe in the pleasant fresh air and admire the colorful light reflections when the sun shines.

This bronze statue dedicated to South Tyrol’s most important freedom fighter is located in a small park in front of the train station. It was erected in 1914 to commemorate the centennial of Tyrol’s return to Austria after years of Napoleonic rule.

The hunter’s monument was erected in 1968 on the Mesnerbühel by the hunters of Natz.The column was carved out of an old chestnut tree trunk. The inscription reads: „It is the hunter’s honour to protect and tend the game.“

A 1.4 m wide and almost 3.6 m deep glacier mill, which was eroded by glacier water, by rotating circles of co-moving stones of local rock.

From the village of Plata the path n° 6 proceeds towards “Pianlargo” until a chapel, where the path n° 5 leads down to the glacial mill. Time to walk ca. 30min.

A nature play in white marble!The Gilfenklamm is a gorge in pure white marble and stretches from the village Stange/Stanghe into the Ratschingstal/Val Racines to the hamlet of Jaufensteg/Ponte Giovo. Wooden bridges and runways lead through the canyon and give a spectacular sight to the waterfalls. The primordial power of the water is tangible with all senses. The gorge is protected as a natural monument and is known as one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Alpine region.

The runways through the gorge were built in 1896 and just after a few years the unfolded magic attracted numerous visitors. Beetween the great world wars the bridges were left to decay, but were restored in the early 1960s, and have since become a must see of the Sterzing-Ratschings area. The hike through the gorge lasts nearly one hour (1,5 hours with return) and is worthwhile for nature lovers, families and seniors.

The Gilfenklamm gorge is situated in the Eisacktal/Alta Val d’Isarco valley, close to Ratschings/Racines and the city of Sterzing/Vipiteno. On an established trail you can walk across this charming and breathtaking canyon with its waterfalls cascading into the depth. About 100 years ago the gorge was named after the Austrian emperor Franz Josef, but its name changed so that it is now known as the “Cascate di Stanghe” gorge. During its course, the initially small Rio di Ratschings river turns into a roaring river which has been carving its way through the marble walls for centuries. Experience the forces of nature and the uniqueness of this fabulous natural monument.

No reservation is necessary. However, it is recommended to avoid the main visiting hours (between 10.00 am and 12.30pm).

Idyllic hamlet on the lake

On the east bank of the turquoise reservoir, at the back of the Schnalstal Valley, are a handful of houses and a church which form the hamlet of Vernago/Vernagt.

The original village was destroyed to make way for the construction of the reservoir in the 1950s. Even today, the tower of the former chapel protrudes from the lake in early spring.

In the idyllic village of Vernago/Vernagt, numerous hiking paths begin, leading through light forests up to the glacier, and passing centuries-old farms. An archaeological hiking trail runs along ancient places of worship to Oetzi’s place of discovery.

From the village centre (town hall) via the Church Alley ‘Kirchgasse’ to the parish church of Saint Blaise. Walk under the church, then keep left to Turnauna irrigation channel path no. 8. At the end of the irrigation channel path, follow the forest road upwards. After the second bend, the path to "Schlietplott" branches off upwards at a small gate (approx. 45 min from the town hall). 

This rock called „Schliettplott" belongs to a type of inclined megaliths known as fertility stones or slides. Women in search of fertility used it until the end of the 19th century. This custom, linked to the cult of the “Great Mother” and widespread in many countries among the Alps, provided that women in search of motherhood slipped along the rock in the nights of full moon. These numerous slips that had been practised over the centuries, have left evident signs of smoothing.

The discovery of an ancient Roman Milestone proves that the old Roman road, the via Claudia Augusta, which led up and over the Alps, ran through Töll/Tel and Rabland/Rablà.
This particular milestone is now housed in the Bolzano Civic Museum while a copy can be seen at the Hanswirt, the old coaching inn at Rabland.

Modern work of art at the Tirler hut.
With golden wings begins your adventure.

The Knottnkino (Rock Cinema) is the work of artist Franz Messner, who hails from Renon. The Knottnkino sits atop a red porphyry rock formation, Rotstein Knott Mountain, which is located in Vöran/Verano on 1,457 metres.

The lookout point, outfitted with thirty cinema seats made of steel and chestnut wood, is a wonderful place for hikers to take a seat, unwind, and enjoy a unique experience: nature as cinema. The site overlooks the whole of the Adige Valley so visitors enjoy stunning views that encompass the Texel Group Nature Park, Mount Penegal, and even Corno Bianco/Weißhorn Mountain farther afield.

In the local German dialect spoken in South Tyrol, Knottn means ‘rock’. Millions of years ago, when lava and falling ash formed the Tschögglberg Mountain Plateau, these round, wine-red knolls also came into being. These rock formations are unparalleled in South Tyrol. In Verano, there are three: Rotstein, Beimstein and Unterstein Knott.

The Knottnkino³ circuit trail conects the three red porphyry rocks of Vöran/Verano. Starting from the Burgstall-Vöran upper cableway station, the trail leads to the three panoramic landmarks of Verano: the Rotstein, Beimstein and Timpfler Knott.

This wayside shrine is a beautiful and slender “tabernacle” with a pyramid-shaped roof. The four niches contain a cycle of paintings including the Madonna with the infant Jesus, Catherine and Margaret, the Mount of Olives, Wolfgang and Martin, a scene of the ascent to Calvary, Andrew and Leonard, the Crucifixion and the patron saints of the Taisten church, Ingenuin and Albuin. The frescoes are attributed to the Bruneck School of Painting (around 1460).

The Texelgruppe Nature Park in Schnalstal ValleyThe largest nature reserve in South TyrolThe Texelgruppe Nature Park is set in an area of about 30,000 hectares, extending between Schnalstal Valley in the west and Passeiertal Valley to the east, and from the Etschtal Valley in the south to the Oetztal Alps in the north.
The Nature Park comprises the extensive high mountain region of the entire Texelgruppe mountain range.

The Texelgruppe Nature Park around the Schnalstal Valley is a popular destination for hiking, with dry semi-forested slopes, clear mountain lakes above the timber line and dense forests below. The Val di Fosse/Pfossental side valley occupies the heart of the nature reserve, a pristine area with varied wildlife. During special wildlife hikes in the Pfossental Valley, hikers may spot chamois’ and ibexes, marmots, and eagles. The Pfossental is home to probably more chamois and ibexes than people living in the Schnalstal Valley.

Nature Walk "Life on the Mountain Farms of the Val di Fosse"
A delightful, well-marked, informative walk starting at the Maso Vorderkaser and leading from one mountain farmstead to the next - a chance to learn a little more about the typical flora, fauna and geological aspects of the surrounding countryside and high Alpine pastures with special attention given to local bee-keepers and their work.

The Burgstall is a settlement from the late Iron Age, inhabited from approximately 400 B C over several centuries. It got distroyed after the middle of the 1st century B C due to fire, and was never rebuilt. The central building has been excavated and is in good condition. Next to this building is another residence and quarters for servants, storage areas and stables.

Accessible from Riffian/Rifiano on the Kirchweg trail and then to Gnealersteig path. Walking time: about 40 min.

Tip: visit the permanent exhibition Vita Raetica in the Raiffeisenkasse building
Mon, Fri 8.00 am-12.30 pm + 3.30 pm-4.30 pm · Tue, Wed 8.00 am-12.30 pm · Thu 8.00 am-12.30 pm + 5.00 pm-6.30 pm

The cloister of the cathedral of Brixen/Bressanone is one of the most important art monuments in South Tyrol. Its origins date back to pre-Romanesque times. The complex was rebuild in the romanesque (12th century) and gothic (14th century) phases.  In this last major reconstruction phase of the 14th century the sacred building was vaulted with a gothic groined vault. The well-preserved gothic frescoes, which depict themes of  the religious and  medieval life, are particularly breathtaking. Some of the most extraordinary frescoes of the cloister  are the presentation of  an elephant (3rd arcade) and the adoration of the Kings (13th arcade).

 

The sulphur springs are located at the Tirler on the Seiser Alm. They are a geological natural monument. There are two springs that emerge at the upper edge of a marshy forest seal. At the larger spring there is a wooden fountain from which you can drink. The water is not poisonous, on the contrary, it has a purifying effect. The water is not tasty, because it smells like rotten eggs. The water has whitened those objects that are in the springs.

From Moos/Moso walk up the first road bridge. At 50 meters, turn left on the walkway up to the wooden observation bridges over the Stieber waterfall. From here hikers will have a breathtaking view of the gigantic Stieber waterfall, where the Pfeldererbach stream first plunges 19 meters then 18 meters deep in the Passer river.

Locals refer to the pond above Hafling/Avelengo either as Sulfner Weiher, which means ‘pond’ or Sulfner See, which means ‘lake’. Whether the body of water classifies as a pond or a lake, it was created many years ago as an artificial water reservoir to irrigate Sulfner’s lower lying pastures. Over time, many animal and plant species settled in and around the pond.

The pond is at its loveliest in summer. White water lilies cover the pond while yellow irises, floating water plantains, marsh horsetails, bulrushes, bur-reed, and a host of other plants thrive at the shoreline. Higher up on the banks of the pond, Alpine roses bloom in June – a colourful juxtaposition to forests of spruce, larch and Scots pine. In spring, common toads mate by the hundreds in the water: in the months that follow, naturally, you can see myriad tadpoles and small frogs in the water, surrounded by dragonflies.

The Sulfner Weiher Pond is easy to reach in a short walk from St. Kathrein/S. Caterina.

Another telescope is installed on the hiking trail n. 2 (from Hafling/Avelengo in direction to the Wurzer Alm Mountain Hut) and provides a good view on the new summit station of the Meran 2000 funicular.

The Telescopes cannot rotate: it is meant to focus solely on a single building.

 

The Rienza ravine, a wild-romantic gorge with former power plant (not open for visits).

Nowadays a sustainable handling towards nature and environment includes not just the protetion, but also the taking care of precious cultivated landscapes.  Wetlands such as the biotope Laugen fulfill a variety of landscape- ecological functions. They mean scenic wealth and represent a useful habitat for a multitude of endangered species of plants and animals. The biotope also provides an ideal resting place for migratory birds.

Other nature habitats in the Natz-Schabs holiday region include Raiermoos, Sommersürs, Zussis and Laugen.

 

Located next to the parish church of the Holy Margareth. Erected by the inhabitants of the town, that survived an epidemic of plague. The Wayside shrine is supposed to be painted by Michael Pacher, a famous regional painter of the late Middle Ages. The Wayside shrine got thoroughly restored after being heavily damaged in 1882.

Wild stories are around the Radlsee. Is it actually connected underground to Lake Durnholzer and the Mediterranean? Is it really a wheel of devouring and gauntlet-bearing sea:

The Beimstein Knott knoll is particularly impressive for its stunning view overlooking the village of Vöran/Verano.
The new “Attimo” installation on the red rock here is comprised of five chairlift seats placed in a row, representing an imaginary chairlift.
The artists: architects Verena and David Messner

This "Knott" is one of the three "tuff knolls" (Rotstein, Beimstein and Unterstein Knott), they are of volcanic origin and are unparalleled in South Tyrol.

The Beimstein Knott is part of the new circular hike Knottnkino³.

On the adventure trail "BeeForest", you can immerse yourself in the mysterious world of bees.

The approximately 2-kilometre-long trail takes you past meadows and through forests to various places of energy with stations and illustrated panels, right up to a beekeeper's house with honeycombs and beehives on view - from mid-May to the end of September.

At these stations, you will learn exciting facts about life in the beehive, the importance of bees for our ecosystem and the challenges that these small, industrious insects face today. For children and adults alike, the trail offers an educational and sensory experience: listen to the buzzing of the bees, see their flight paths and feel how important their work is for our environment.

It's not just about honey bees - visitors also get an insight into the exciting and very different life of wild bees.

At the beekeeper's house, everyone then has the opportunity to take a closer look at the hive's hustle and bustle on the honeycomb.

Practical information:

• Route length: approx. 2 km, ideal for a relaxed walk
• Duration: about 1 to 1.5 hours
• Accessibility: The trail is only partially accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. They cannot be used for the entire route
• Best time to visit: Spring to autumn, when nature is in full bloom and the bees are at their most active

Immerse yourself in the world of bees and discover the secrets of these little superheroes - come and see for yourself how fascinating and valuable their work is.

Here is a brief insight:
Video BeeForest

From the village centre (town hall) via Church alley ‘Kirchgasse’ to the parish church of Saint Blaise. Walk under the church, then keep left to Turnauna irrigation channel path no. 8. After a few hundred metres along the irrigation channel path, the path to the cup stone branches off downhill (approx. 20 minutes from the town hall).

The prehistoric cup stone dates back to the Middle Neolithic period (approx. 4,500 - 3,000 BC) and is therefore one of the oldest monuments of mankind. The indentations in the stone are known as ‘ cups’. Researchers do not agree on the meaning of the cup stones. There are various assumptions:

1. The cup stone stored energy and served as a place of power. It was mainly used as a fertility symbol for ritual purposes. The cups were notched as thanks.

2. The cup stone was an astronomical calendar. At a certain distance, a wooden slat cast a shadow on the cups, indicating the right time for sowing and harvesting.

3. People or animals were killed on a lying cup stone and the blood that flowed out was soaked up in the cups and sacrificed to the gods.

The cup stone was found on 11 November 1988 during excavation work for irrigation pipes by Paul Hermann Vidal. In April 1989, Dr Lorenzo Dal Ri, then Director of the State Monuments Office, was able to prove the authenticity of the cup stone. In September 1990, Dr Sennhauser, an archaeologist from the monastery of St. Johann in Müstair, determined the age of the cup stone to be 4,500 BC (Neolithic period).

An impressive drama of nature is offered by the three Rio di Riva waterfalls which can be reached starting out from the hamlet of Bad Winkel. The Rio di Riva waterfalls are located in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park and offer an impressive view of nature above all else in the summer. Fed by melted snow, the Rio di Riva plunges in three cascades over the rock cliffs into the depths, making it possible for visitors to experience the power of water with all of their senses. 

The St. Francis'Path with the 10 meditational spots lines the path of the Reinbach waterfalls up to the Franziskus and Klara chapel.

Walking time from the starting point "car park Cantuccio/Winkel; Wasserfallbar":

- until the 1st waterfall approx. 20 minutes - 40 m altitude difference -
        up to the 1st waterfall suitable for baby stroller

- o until the 2nd waterfall approx. 40 minutes - 140 m altitude difference

- o until the 3st waterfall approx. 55 minutes - 170 m altitude difference -
        from here you can return with the Fly-Line possible www.fly-line-wasserfall.eu

- o until the Franziskus and Klara chapel approx. 75 minutes - 300 m altitude difference

Way back:

For the way back you can use the same trail or from Gasthof Tobelhof (near 3rd waterfall) on the hiking trail 2A in the direction of Sand in Taufers back to the starting 

The beautiful waterfall called Passeirer Wasserfall is 48 m high and is located at the beginning of the romantic Kalmtal/Valclava. You can reach the waterfall by walking from the village St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo, St. Martin/S. Martino or Riffian/Rifiano.

From the tourist office St. Martin/S. Martino follow the main street in direction St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo. After the tennis court across the bridge and take the hiking trail along the river for about 2 km in direction Meran/Merano. Next to the sawmill across the bridge and then take on the left side the hiking trail up to the main street. Cross the street and take the Trifterweg to the waterfall.

An old linden tree stands near the walls of the cemetery enclosing the Church of St. Nikolaus. Standing 22 m tall with a treetop of 17 m and a trunk measuring 6.25 m in diameter, the old tree dominates this idyllic spot. Since the trunk is broken and is held together with iron rods, the age of the tree can no longer be determined although it is believed to be a few hundred years old.