Walking is the best way to enjoy wonderful stretches of greenery. During your spring in South Tyrol, you can witness the awakening of nature in the valley and on the alpine meadows in bloom. Midsummer days are equally surprising: people are lured to mountain peaks, marvel at sweeping views and indulge in the traditional dishes served in quaint mountain huts. Go on a hike to watch the spectacle of autumn’s glorious colours and relax in nature.
The archaeological trail from Vent to Maso Corto/Kurzras leads through captivating mountain landscape that was already used many centuries ago by shepherds with their flocks.
An extremely interesting and beautiful trail through Pfossental valley, part of the Texelgruppe Nature Park. This is the largest nature park in South Tyrol and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some of the fauna that lives here.
Experiencing the fascinating high Alpine lake plateau in South Tyrol
Both challenging for the considerably steep climb as well as its duration, this hike is also worth the effort with a spectacular mountain terrain and the fascinating high Alpine lakes.
Starting point: Pfelders/Plan
Endpoint: Pfelders/Plan
Refreshment stop: Faltschnalalm mountain hut, Lazinser Alm pasture, Lazins/Lazines
This route follows the forest road, along an old and gradually ascending military route (easy route), with some Alpine terrain (individual snow fields are possible).
The crossing of the Eisjöchl ridge is only advised when the Stettiner Hütte Alpine hut is open (normally between 1 July – end of September, depending on weather conditions). Information about the opening hours can be obtained from the Schnalstal Valley tourist office or the Passeiertal Valley tourist office, which can also inform you about current conditions on the ridge.
The Stettiner Hütte was swept away by an avalanche in 2013/14. It was rebuilt in 2020/2021 and has been open again since summer 2022.
Hiking time:
Eishof–Eisjöchl–Stettiner Hütte · 3 hours
Stettiner Hütte–Plan · 3 hours
(4 hours ascent)
Total hiking time: about 6-7h
The stone men are located at an elevation of 2,000 metres on the Tschögglberg mountain plateau. Here you’ll find human figures made of stone. Myriad tales are linked to this place.
For centuries now, the inhabitants of St. Martin im Kofel, located above Laces/Latsch, have been making the pilgrimage over the Niederjöchl pass (2,662 m a.s.l) to the pilgrimage site of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau, in order to pray together with the people of Senales for a good harvest.
The Knottnkino (Knott meaning rock, kino meaning cinema) is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Vöran/Verano and is located upon the Rotstein Knott mountain. In the seats made from steel and chestnut wood designed and positioned by the artist Franz Messner from Ritten/Renon, one can enjoy unique views of the Texelgrupperange all the way to Penegal mountain and the Weißhorn peak, as though sitting comfortably in a cinema. But the film is always changing in the Knottnkino: daily, hourly, with the time of day and the changing of the season, with the climate and weather, there is always something new to see...
Archaeological trail A5 begins in the village of Certosa/Karthaus where you can visit the cloister of the former Carthusian monastery. It then leads into the Penaud valley as far as the area known as “Karl Sumperer”. From here, you can view virtually the entire valley, with a panoramic view to the summits of the Similaun group of mountains. Arriving at Niederjöchl shortly after, you will have a magnificent view of Vinschgau valley, of the ice-capped peaks of the Cevedale and of the Martelltal valley. This is followed by the long descent to Sankt Martin am Kofel and its pilgrimage church. From here, it’s only a few minutes by cable car to Laces/Latsch.
This easy, family-friendly hike leads from Verdins along the Wiesersteig track down to the village of Scena. Shady forests, blooming meadows and pretty farmhouses lend a truly special atmosphere to this hike.
The high mountain valley has always been an important crossing from Laces/Latsch and Kastelbello/Kastellbell in Vinschgau Valley, where there were already settlements during the Copper Age, as seen with the menhir in Latsch. Recent archaeological finds in the ground around the Penaudalm Mountain Hutand the old mountain farm suggest that this area had been used as a hunting ground not only since the Mesolithic Age but that the high plateau already had a seasonal settlement from the Bronze Age on. We are still waiting for the results of analyses to see if the buildings discovered were connected to milk processing, that is to say, cheese production.
Starting at the village square in Platt, along the main street (direction Pfelders) until shortly after the fire brigade hall − here the path goes upwards through the forest and meadows. Follow the path no. 6 upwards to the farm Farmazon (about 45 min.). Then take the path 10B leading into the Farmazon valley. After only about 15 min. the Platter ancient larches are reached. Mighty larches with a huge extent and a history of thousand years. Short ascent, where a beautiful rest area with a stone table invites for a break. Follow the path no. 10 back in direction to Platt/Plata.
Easy and magnificent path from the mountain hut Vorderkas/ inn Jägerrast to the mountain pasture Eishof, also suitable for children and elderly people. In the further course more and more surefootedness is required.
Tips: the informational boards along the Alpine Pasture Experience Trail (Almerlebnisweg) are interesting. Not far from mountain pasture Rableid, there is a lime kiln, in which the limestone from the Hohe Weiße mountain was fired to make building lime, which was also presumably used to construct the monastery in Certosa/Karthaus.
Short and attractive course suitable for baby carriages just above the tree line, with stunning panoramic views.
Starting Point: Top station of the San Vigilio Chairlift (1,814 m)
Walking Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Distance: 3,790 m
Climb: 117 m
Route: 4 – 9 – 10 – 8
According to oral tradition, after the dissolution of the Carthusian monastery of Allerengelsberg in 1782, the farmed Alpine pastures of Klosteralm (open from the beginning of June to mid / end of October, depending on the weather) 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.
The Höfeweg above Schenna provides insights into the rural cultural and natural landscape. The combination of historic farmsteads and fabulous views of Merano and its environs make this hike a genuine delight.
Outing to the biggest mountain lake in the valley
Although this hike does not present particular challenges it is nevertheless enjoyable, leading through characteristic Alpine pastures. On the return, experienced and sturdy hikers can take the rough track on the right side of the valley.
Starting point: Timmelsbrücke bridge km 19,7
Endpoint: Timmelsbrücke bridge km 19,7
Refreshment stop: Timmelsalm pasture
This unglaciated peak on the southern edge of the Ötztal Alps is on the border between Italy and Austria and is one of the easiest 3000 m-peaks to climb in the mountain range. It offers a wonderful panorama view towards the southern Schnalstal Valley and the Weißkugel (3,739 m a.s.l.).
Gentle hiking tour to a secluded mountain lake
Starting point: Pfelders/Plan
Endpoint: Pfelders/Plan
Refreshment stop: Faltschnalalm mountain hut, Lazins/Lazines, Zeppichl
The Via Monachorum, also referred to as “Silentium“ (Path of tranquillity) connects the villages of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau and Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg with Certosa/Karthaus. There was a historic monastery there, founded by the Carthusian monks in the 14th century. Dressed in their white robes, the monks lived in silence. Some large parts of the monastery walls have been preserved, as are the Gothic cloister and the former monastery kitchen. There are a number of plaques along this themed trail with philosophical quotations relating to tranquillity and silence. The trail is signposted using life-sized figures of monks.
The heart of the Texelgruppe Nature Park is the largest side valley of the Schnalstal Valley and can only be reached by a single, partly steep road, passing ancient farms. From the paid parking lot at the Vorderkaserhof Inn you continue on foot.
The Lazinser Alm is located at the end of the Pfelderertal valley at the foot of the Hohe Wilde mountain. The Lazinser Alm is a favourite hiking goal for young and old, with a wonderful location that has been left natural but is still easy to reach. The Lazinser Alm is more of a stately house than a mountain hut, where one can enjoy the summer days outdoors on their large veranda. Like at the Timmelsalm mountain hut, numerous cattle graze the pastures of the Lazinser Alm.
Difficulty: a problem-free hike in every aspect, suitable even for weaker hikers or children. Walking time from Pfelders/Plan, approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Source: Alpine farm hikes in Passeiertal valley.
The archaeological trail rises from Vernago/Vernagt to Giogo Basso/Niederjoch with its spectacular views and on to Tisenjoch, a reminder of the discovery site of Ötzi the Iceman, crosses the border and continues on to the village of Vent (A).
>> It's great to be walking, especially when swapping the daily grind for a holy place. <<
From Thaur to San Romedio, on the Pilgrims' trail, one cannot but marvel at the spectacle of sanctuaries, wayside shrines, breath-taking landscapes, pastures and mountain crossings. Along its 180 km length with a difference in altitude of 9,800 m, the trail leads to the sanctuary of San Romedio in Trentino, with two stages passing through the Passeiertal Valley.
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