Challenging Alpine tour, which leads via the Similaunhütte mountain hut to the discovery site of the famous “iceman”.
This archaeological trail begins with a ride on the glacier train from Maso Corto/Kurzras to the summit station, then there’s a short climb to Grawand and its imposing summit cross; it passes over the ridge and drops down to the small Finailsee lake, goes on to the Finailhof farm, once the highest grain farm in the region, passes unhurriedly by Raffeinhof farm to Tisenhof farm and then into the village of Vernago/Vernagt with its wonderful dam and reservoir.
The mountain pasture Lafetz lies on 2,015 m a.s.l in the middle of a magnificent natural landscape. There you will be rewarded with an exclusive view of the Similaun, the Ötztal Alps and the place of discovery Ötzi.
The mountain pasture Mastaun is also temporarily managed in winter. It is located in the high mountain valley of the same name, the Maustaun Valley, and belongs to the farmstead Mastaunhof, which is one of the largest farms in the Schnalstal Valley in terms of area. There are some indications that several centuries ago the mountain pasture was still a farm that was inhabited all year round.
The mountain pasture Mastaun (open from the beginning of May to the end of October) is in the eponymous high mountain valley that branches off near Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau west of the Schnalstal Valley and extends up to a crown of 3000 m-peaks. A stream of crystal-clear water runs through the valley. The farmstead Mastaunhof, to which the mountain pasture belongs, was recorded in documents as early as 1356 and is one of the largest farms in the Schnalstal Valley. The pastures surrounding the mountain passture are unusually well-tended and simply magnificent. There are indications that many centuries ago the mountain pasture Mastaun was already in operation all year round.
The chairlift brings you from the glacial lake back to the glacier and the Ötzi Biwak. There you can choose between the easy, blue ski run S1 or the Leo Gurschler steep. Here you can find also connection to the Grawand chairlift and following to the Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car which brings you back to valley.
The looped trail around the lake is well worth the effort because a pastoral pathway runs directly along the waterfront and is, of course, particularly beautiful from about mid-July when the reservoir is full. In the winter, water is released from the reservoir to generate electricity and, depending on the water level, the tower of the immersed church may be visible. There are some photos on display in the chapel in Vernagt of the flooded plain and farms.
Walking along snowy meadows, through romantic larch forests in winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and traced path and discover the beauty of the rear Schnalstal Valley. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.
Hiking along white meadows, past over ancient farmsteads, in the midst of winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and prepared winter hiking trail in Madonna di Senales. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.
Ski lift at the border of the glacier with access to the easy, sunny and flat Finail ski run (blue).
The entire Merano High Mountain Trail (no. 24), one of the most stunning trails in the entire Alpine region, is 100 km in length, requires four to six days of hiking and is accessible from the beginning of July to the end of September (depending on the snow situation). At a relatively consistent altitude, this trail connects, to an extent, the high mountain climate of the Texel Group and the sub-Mediterranean climate of the Etschtal Valley. The hike through the various segments gives us a good insight into the world of the mountain farmers who worked to create and maintain this mountain and cultural landscape over the centuries.
Archaeological trail A10 is a particularly beautiful hike but somewhat longer and at times at higher altitudes.
The ski lift is situated in the valley, next to the valley station of the cable car. It brings you up to two easy ski runs (blue) - ideal for beginners.
Alpine hike to the one-time highest grain farm in Europe the Finailhof farm (1,973 m).
The chairlift with four seats brings pedestrians and skiers up to 3.212m to the mountain station of the glacier cable car.
The untouched Lagauntal, one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol, and the mountain pasture Bergl are also a popular place of excursions in winter. You hike through a snowy, idyllic high mountain landscape with extensive larch forests.
This high-Alpine trail presents the hiker with dramatic views and scenic highlights.
The castle of the Noblemen of Senales once stood where the parish church of Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg now stands with its tower reaching for the heavens was once. However, the Carthusians had it destroyed in 1350. In earlier times, there was a proto-historic human settlement here. A Bronze Age sickle element with silica and Iron Age ceramic artefacts are proof that this area has been used for thousands of years. It would appear that a pre-historic trail ran along here coming up from Vinschgau.
A lovely gentle meditation or pilgrimage path which takes you through the fragrant larch woods of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau to a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There are a number of quiet, shady resting places with carvings and statues by local artists and craftsmen.
An easy but fascinating archaeological trail from Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg up to Obermairalm Mountain Hut, along an almost level trail to Dickeralm Mountain Hut, through a beautiful larch forest to the Linthof farm and from there to the gondola lift that takes us down to Naturno/Naturns in a few minutes.
The Hintereis chairlift brings skiers up to 3.115m a.s.l. - the view to the surrounding summits is impressive. Two red ski runs bring back to the valley and to the Bella Vista mountain hut with igloos, sauna and the highest open air pool of Europe.
A hike with amazing views of probably the oldest meadows in South Tyrol
Section of the Archaeological Trail A 7 - The Archaeological Hiking Map with additional information is available free of charge at the archeoParc Schnalstal or at the Tourism Office Schnalstal Valley
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.
This tour, that can be done from early spring to late autumn, depending on the weather, takes us along the highest grain farm in Europe. Grain was cultivated at this altitude right up to the second half of the last century, when the construction of the dam and reservoir also changed the climate of the Schnalstal Valley. There are archaic structures along this trail that have only changed slightly during the development of mountain farming over thousands of years.
