Helmut and Helene of the Aktiv- & Vitalhotel Taubers Unterwirt in Feldthurns reveal their personal favourite destinations: - The Radlsee lake and Königanger
From the Taubers Unterwirt the hiking bus takes you to the Kühhof farm, where a panoramic hike begins via the Brugger Schupfe to the Radlsee lake. If you want to go higher still, you can extend your tour to the Königanger. According to South Tyrolean mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner, this vantage point is one of South Tyrol’s finest “balconies”, with spectacular views of the Dolomite peaks: the Peitlerkofel, the Geisler range, the Sella massif, plus the Langkofel, Plattkofel and Schlern mountains all at your feet.
There is plenty for cyclists too: this varied ascent of some 1,100 metres takes you towards the Radlseehütte refuge – a further climb of 250 metres, where the impressive panoramic view (the “Kaiserblick”) and excellent cuisine await. A place to restore lost energy as you experience nature.
- Tour to the Klausner hut on the Feldthurner/Latzfonser high pasture
The tour to the Klausner hut on the Feldthurner/Latzfonser high pasture makes a perfect start to the hiking season. From the Kühhof car park, located at an altitude of 1,550 metres, the trail leads up through fragrant pine woods and across picturesque clearings to the hut. The 400-metre ascent takes around one hour, with consistently impressive views of the surrounding mountains along the way. Once at the hut, you can not only enjoy a relaxing break, but also fantastic vistas of the grandiose Dolomites. An ideal tour for experiencing (early) summer up in the mountains.
The Hotel Drumlerhof reveals one of the finest places in Sand in Taufers: - High-altitude hike from Kasern to the Tauernalm
Our insider tip for the first tour of early summer is this high-altitude hike from Kasern to the Tauernalm, where you can see the first Alpine roses in bloom, even while the glaciers above are still covered in deep snow. Once arrived at the Tauernalm, you can meet the Ludwig family, whose passion is running their mountain hut. Milk from their own goats and cows is turned into delicious cheeses – authentic regional products that should definitely be sampled!
Patrick from the Hotel Golserhof in Meran offers the perfect tip for dedicated hikers: - The “Hirzer Almenrunde” tour of mountain pastures
The “Hirzer Almenrunde” makes the ideal start to the hiking season. The three-hour tour over mountain pastures starts at the Klammeben mountain station and takes in wide meadows, gentle slopes and paths with magnificent views. With a height gain of around 350 metres, it is straightforward and perfect for the first day of summer in the mountains. Along the way can be found several well-run mountain huts, where you can stop and sample the regional specialities that await hungry hikers. In June and July especially, the landscape is in full bloom, offering an experience for every one of the senses. This is an enjoyable round tour that heralds the start of summer in the mountains of South Tyrol in a particularly harmonious fashion.
Walter from the Berghotel Sexten in Sexten reveals his top tip: - Crossing from the Innerfeldtal to the Fischleintal valleys
The crossing between the two valleys – the Innerfeldtal and the Fischleintal – is a challenging but rewarding tour to the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the emblem of the Dolomites. Starting in June, this seldom frequented route is nevertheless straightforward and offers both impressive views and an authentic Alpine experience. It leads from the Berghotel through the idyllic Innerfeldtal valley and on to the Drei Zinnen hut, through the Altensteintal valley into the Fischleintal valley, then back to your starting point. With an altitude difference of around 1,200 metres and a walking time of some eight hours, the tour is for more experienced mountain hikers: the highest point on the route is the Gwengalpenjoch pass at 2,446 metres above sea level.
Michael from the Sporthotel Zoll shares his favourite hiking route in the environs of Sterzing: - Wetterspitze (2,709 metres a.s.l.): a panoramic hike with optional fun
The snow has melted, meaning that it's now time to head for the heights! This is a recommended panoramic hike, with a fun option, that leads to the Wetterspitze at an altitude of 2,709 metres. The tour takes from 3.5 to 4 hours and starts at the Ladurns mountain station, from where you face a climb of some 1,093 metres. Path no. 34 leads past the rustic Edelweiss hut and through the Teissljöchl pass, steeped in history, then via the former silver deposits where ore was once mined. A special tranquillity is to be found in the remote Toffringtal valley before the steep ascent to the Wetterspitze begins. The path winds up to the saddle and the summit shortly thereafter. A spectacular 360° view of the entire Wipptal valley and the surrounding mountains opens up at the top: the descent follows the same route back to the mountain station, where you can swap your boots for wheels if you wish. For stays of five nights or more, the reCARD lets you use the Mountaincart Downhill free of charge all the way to the valley station. Nature, exercise and fun – all in one tour.
Thomas from the Hotel Schulerhof in Plaus, near Naturns, reveals his favourite hiking route:You can reach Rabland in around five minutes by car; alternatively you can easily get there by train or the 266 bus service for visitors. The gondola runs regularly on the hour or on demand. Once you reach Aschbach, first follow the signs to the Vigiljoch pass, then path no. 27 towards the Naturnser Alm. Continue on path no. 9 in the direction of Hochwart. Once at the Raubühl high plateau, keep left as soon as you can look down into the valley opposite and the weather cross above you is visible. There is a small lake, the so-called “Lacke”, to your right. From here follow path no. 9 to the left towards the Vigiljoch: the impressive view makes this spot ideal for a picnic break. Continue to the Vigiljoch, pass the church and head for the Seespitz lake, also known as the “Schwarze Lacke”. From here follow path no. 28A diagonally downhill, then climb some 400 metres to the mountain village of Aschbach. From there the cable car will take you back to Rabland, where you can take the train or bus back to Plaus.
The Tonzhaus Hotel & Restaurant in Schnals offers an unforgettably magic mountain trail: - The “Via Monachorum – the path of silence”
The route starts directly behind the hotel and initially follows path no. 19. After about 20 minutes, switch to path no. 21 towards the Raindlhöfe farms and continue to the village of Karthaus. The themed trail features interesting philosophical quotations about stillness and silence. Moreover, from the starting point to the Texel sports area the trail follows the pilgrimage route of Our Lady, where five stations feature various wood carvings. Once at Karthaus, you can visit the former monastery. Return either by the same route or by bus. N.B.: the path to Katharinaberg is currently still closed but, according to the local tourism association, should be open once again in summer.
The Wander Vital Hotel Magdalenahof offers a hike that combines the great outdoors with a break (or two) for refreshments: - Almweg 2000 trail in the Gsiesertal valley
Follow path no. 47/48 from the head of the valley (1,465 metres) in St. Magdalena/Gsiesertal to the Tscharnietalm (1,976 metres), where the actual Gsieser Almweg trail begins and is marked along the way with a red dot. Gentle ascents and descents lead to several mountain huts: the Kipfelalm (2,104 m), the Stumpfalm (2,100 m, refreshments available) and the Kaser Alm (2,076 m, refreshments available). A marked trail continues into the beautiful Pfoital valley, then climbs slightly to the Uwaldalm (2,042 m, refreshments available), where the Almweg 2000 ends. Return via forest path no. 12 back to your starting point. Alternatively you can descend directly to St. Magdalena from any of the huts.
Hiking guide Peter and biking guide Bruno from the Hotel Montis in Reischach, near Bruneck, share their personal hiking recommendations: - The Armentara meadows near Wengen (La Val) –Bruno’s genuine secret tip
This tour leads through gentle mountain meadows with their unique variety of flowers, all against the impressive backdrop of the Dolomites. Especially in early summer, Mother Nature is at her most beautiful here!
- Round tour in La Val to the Crusc da Rit – Peter’s ideal start to the hiking season
Hiking around Campill and in the Gadertal/Val Badia count among his favourites: the varied trails, unspoilt landscapes and authentic insights into Ladin culture make this region particularly appealing.
DAS GERSTL in Mals reveals its tip for a hiking tour with magnificent views and magical summits: - A panoramic peak: the Spitzige Lun
Only a few peaks offer such easy access yet offer such impressive views: whether from Mals, Planeil or - as described here - from Matsch, the Spitzige Lun is such viewpoint in the Upper Vinschgau Valley.
The tour starts from Matsch, at an altitude of 1,576 metres: leaving Matsch, turn left into the valley in Tartsch (the next village after Mals), then follow the path through the meadows and initially head west up a gentle slope into the forest. Turn left at the sign for path no. 13 to the Spitzige Lun. Continue through the forest until you reach forest clearings, where the path winds upwards northwest through flowery mountain meadows. The panoramic trail now leads gently uphill, first along the broad ridge, then along the sunny southwest slope towards the clearly visible summit of the Spitzige Lun at 2,324 metres above sea level.
The Boutique Hotel Amaril in Kastelbell offers an easy summit tour with lovely panoramic views: - The Tscharser summit cross at 2,447 m.a.s.l.
This lovely hike with its lovely views leads up to the Tscharser summit cross, from where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Vinschgau and Martell valleys. The tour can be done in springtime and is not technically demanding: it will however require a degree of stamina and endurance. Drive to the large bend below the Pardatschhof farm on the Trumsberg where path no. 4 begins, leading first to the Stierberg Alm and then up to the summit cross at an altitude of 2,447 metres. The path is well-marked and easy to follow. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a fantastic panorama: follow the same path back down. The route is 3.2 km long and will take you around 2 hours 10 minutes. Both ascent and descent measure a total of 711 metres.
This summit tour is ideal for all those seeking a quiet, scenic mountain hike.
This favourite route heads high up from the Naturhotel Rainer into the Jaufental valley: - The Mittagsspitze – an unforgettable mountain tour in early summer
This varied route starts in the idyllic hamlet of Schluppes, just four kilometres from the Naturhotel Rainer. The trail leads up through quiet mountain forests to above the tree line, past beautiful Alpine roses and on to the peak of the Mittagsspitze at an altitude of 2,053 metres. The last few metres run along a panoramic ridge - a highlight for all lovers of nature and the mountains.
