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South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas
Where are South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas to be found? Even we, the Vitalpina hosts, would find it difficult to answer this question. After all, there are wonderful mountain worlds galore in our region, a paradise for hikers. Carefully tended cultivated landscapes blend into vivid green forests, mighty rocky peaks soar over high Alpine meadows. So where should you spend your hiking holiday in South Tyrol? We present four of the region’s most beautiful areas.
Whatever you choose, your hiker’s heart will soon be beating faster!
Meran and environs: city, mountain, river
As an ideal starting point, the spa town of Meran is centrally located and surrounded by some of the South Tyrol’s most delightful mountain areas. Whether you are exploring the varied scenery of the Texel Group Nature Park, hiking up in the sunshine at Meran 2000 or venturing out for several days trekking on the Meran High Mountain Trail, picture-book panoramas await you everywhere you go. The hiking region of Meran and environs is also special, because there is more than just uphill going: there is also plenty of walking and sightseeing to be done in the valleys, for example along the Waalwege (ancient irrigation channels) as the apple trees blossom, or on the town's promenades. If you choose South Tyrol for a hiking holiday, you are sure to be close to a wide variety of destinations in and around Meran: the Passeier Gorge, the Alpine Rose Trail up on the Vigiljoch Pass, or the Spronser Lakes in the Texel Group. You can also extend your hiking repertoire to include the trails in the surrounding valleys, such as the Passeiertal, Ultental or Schnalstal valleys.
The Vinschgau Valley: a valley of contrasts
The Vinschgau Valley is a valley of contrasts that also offers all kinds of marvels for hikers. Its microclimate makes the valley one of the finest hiking areas in South Tyrol: high mountains shield the valley from precipitation on all sides, meaning that extraordinary landscapes have developed up on the Sonnenberg. Whether along the Vinschgau Valley High Mountain Trail, the 360° Panoramic Trail in the Upper Vinschgau Valley or the Kastanienwaal (the “Chestnut Channel”), you are not only greeted by classic mid-Alpine fauna and flora, but also by steppe grasses, dwarf shrubs, downy oaks and even reptiles. The lush greenery on the sunny Nördersberg makes a refreshing contrast. In summer in particular, you can enjoy the soothing shade rather than basking in the blazing sunshine as you sample the many hiking options, which range from leisurely strolls to challenging high-altitude and mountain tours.
The Eisack Valley: the valley of trails
The Eisack Valley is rightly called the “Valley of Trails”. This compact part of the world has all you need for a hiking holiday in South Tyrol: the well-signposted trails are extremely varied, crossing gorges and ravines, via ferrate (fixed-rope routes), Alpine pastures and even reaching glittering summit crosses. Its many facets and vast range of trails ensure the Eisack Valley’s fame as an enjoyable hiking destination: anyone asking: “Where to hike in South Tyrol?” will be spoilt for choice here. There are the Keschtnweg (Chestnut) trail, the Gilfenklamm gorge, the Rodenecker-Lüsner Alm, the Becherhaus – South Tyrol's highest mountain refuge – or the Woody Walk for families. One thing's for sure: you'll never run out of ideas for a hike! The valley has something for every fitness level and every season, with hikers particularly drawn there in autumn: this is the “golden season”, when a walk through the rustling autumn leaves goes perfectly with a stop at a wayside inn to enjoy the tradition of törggelen: when sampling new wine, roasted chestnuts, perhaps a meat platter and all sorts of other delicacies, you can round off a day's hiking in style.
The Dolomites: a magnificent UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Probably the most photographed mountains in South Tyrol, mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner has even called the unique Dolomites: “the most beautiful mountains in the world”. In fact, they form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and undoubtedly form one of South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas. No one on a hiking holiday in South Tyrol can avoid them: the Seiser Alm, Europe's largest and most idyllic high Alpine pasture; the famous Three Peaks and the Sexten Dolomites; the summit of the Marmolada; the fiery red of the Rosengarten at sunset; the Puez-Odle Nature Park, the Langkofel and Plattkofel peaks; or the famous mountain lakes such as the Pragser Wildsee or the Karersee.
Whether on a spring hike amidst meadow blossoms, on a high mountain tour in summer or a relaxing snowshoe excursion in winter, the Dolomites repay a visit whatever the time of year. You will find breathtaking panoramas wherever you go in the Dolomites; with handy lift systems and a total area of 142,000 hectares, there are plenty of opportunities for hikes from hut to hut, strolls over mountain pastures or ascents to panoramic summits. The enrosadira, the alpenglow that, in the right weather, lights up the Dolomites in pink and red at sunset, also makes an unforgettable sight.
Around 30 of the best Hotels for hikers in South Tyrol
Have you found your favourite hiking area? Then all you need now is the right accommodation. Vitalpina brings together around 30 of South Tyrol’s best hiking hotels to offer everything active holidaymakers might be looking for. Do you fancy a guided hiking holiday in South Tyrol? Then you've come to the right place: each of our hotels offers at least three guided hikes a week, with at least one accompanied by our hosts in person.
Are you still looking for the right offer for a hiking holiday in South Tyrol? Then browse through our holiday packages
We would be delighted to act as your “base camp” for a holiday in one of South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas!
Whatever you choose, your hiker’s heart will soon be beating faster!
Meran and environs: city, mountain, river
As an ideal starting point, the spa town of Meran is centrally located and surrounded by some of the South Tyrol’s most delightful mountain areas. Whether you are exploring the varied scenery of the Texel Group Nature Park, hiking up in the sunshine at Meran 2000 or venturing out for several days trekking on the Meran High Mountain Trail, picture-book panoramas await you everywhere you go. The hiking region of Meran and environs is also special, because there is more than just uphill going: there is also plenty of walking and sightseeing to be done in the valleys, for example along the Waalwege (ancient irrigation channels) as the apple trees blossom, or on the town's promenades. If you choose South Tyrol for a hiking holiday, you are sure to be close to a wide variety of destinations in and around Meran: the Passeier Gorge, the Alpine Rose Trail up on the Vigiljoch Pass, or the Spronser Lakes in the Texel Group. You can also extend your hiking repertoire to include the trails in the surrounding valleys, such as the Passeiertal, Ultental or Schnalstal valleys.
The Vinschgau Valley: a valley of contrasts
The Vinschgau Valley is a valley of contrasts that also offers all kinds of marvels for hikers. Its microclimate makes the valley one of the finest hiking areas in South Tyrol: high mountains shield the valley from precipitation on all sides, meaning that extraordinary landscapes have developed up on the Sonnenberg. Whether along the Vinschgau Valley High Mountain Trail, the 360° Panoramic Trail in the Upper Vinschgau Valley or the Kastanienwaal (the “Chestnut Channel”), you are not only greeted by classic mid-Alpine fauna and flora, but also by steppe grasses, dwarf shrubs, downy oaks and even reptiles. The lush greenery on the sunny Nördersberg makes a refreshing contrast. In summer in particular, you can enjoy the soothing shade rather than basking in the blazing sunshine as you sample the many hiking options, which range from leisurely strolls to challenging high-altitude and mountain tours.
The Eisack Valley: the valley of trails
The Eisack Valley is rightly called the “Valley of Trails”. This compact part of the world has all you need for a hiking holiday in South Tyrol: the well-signposted trails are extremely varied, crossing gorges and ravines, via ferrate (fixed-rope routes), Alpine pastures and even reaching glittering summit crosses. Its many facets and vast range of trails ensure the Eisack Valley’s fame as an enjoyable hiking destination: anyone asking: “Where to hike in South Tyrol?” will be spoilt for choice here. There are the Keschtnweg (Chestnut) trail, the Gilfenklamm gorge, the Rodenecker-Lüsner Alm, the Becherhaus – South Tyrol's highest mountain refuge – or the Woody Walk for families. One thing's for sure: you'll never run out of ideas for a hike! The valley has something for every fitness level and every season, with hikers particularly drawn there in autumn: this is the “golden season”, when a walk through the rustling autumn leaves goes perfectly with a stop at a wayside inn to enjoy the tradition of törggelen: when sampling new wine, roasted chestnuts, perhaps a meat platter and all sorts of other delicacies, you can round off a day's hiking in style.
The Dolomites: a magnificent UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Probably the most photographed mountains in South Tyrol, mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner has even called the unique Dolomites: “the most beautiful mountains in the world”. In fact, they form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and undoubtedly form one of South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas. No one on a hiking holiday in South Tyrol can avoid them: the Seiser Alm, Europe's largest and most idyllic high Alpine pasture; the famous Three Peaks and the Sexten Dolomites; the summit of the Marmolada; the fiery red of the Rosengarten at sunset; the Puez-Odle Nature Park, the Langkofel and Plattkofel peaks; or the famous mountain lakes such as the Pragser Wildsee or the Karersee.
Whether on a spring hike amidst meadow blossoms, on a high mountain tour in summer or a relaxing snowshoe excursion in winter, the Dolomites repay a visit whatever the time of year. You will find breathtaking panoramas wherever you go in the Dolomites; with handy lift systems and a total area of 142,000 hectares, there are plenty of opportunities for hikes from hut to hut, strolls over mountain pastures or ascents to panoramic summits. The enrosadira, the alpenglow that, in the right weather, lights up the Dolomites in pink and red at sunset, also makes an unforgettable sight.
Around 30 of the best Hotels for hikers in South Tyrol
Have you found your favourite hiking area? Then all you need now is the right accommodation. Vitalpina brings together around 30 of South Tyrol’s best hiking hotels to offer everything active holidaymakers might be looking for. Do you fancy a guided hiking holiday in South Tyrol? Then you've come to the right place: each of our hotels offers at least three guided hikes a week, with at least one accompanied by our hosts in person.
Are you still looking for the right offer for a hiking holiday in South Tyrol? Then browse through our holiday packages
We would be delighted to act as your “base camp” for a holiday in one of South Tyrol’s finest hiking areas!
