Difference in height: 461 m
Descent: 803 m
Length: 11 km
Duration: 4.5 h
The first stage of the Geotrail climbs up from the Bletterbach gorge to the summit of the Weisshorn. We pass through stunning scenery that reveals various layers of rock with the oldest at the bottom, the most recent at the very top. Like a book, these layers tell a story – a story that has lasted 40 million years, with the transformation of the Dolomites of the time from a landmass into a sea.
From Lake Cancano to the the Stelvio Pass:
Difference in height: 1.776 hm
Descent: 918 hm
Length: 22 km
Duration: ca. 8h
The Alta Via Tirolo starts and ends in the tourist centres of Mayrhofen and Meran. Between the two, there are 130 km of hiking paths with ascents of 9000 m in total and descents of 10,000 m in total. It is possible to do this tour in 11 to 13 days.
You are rewarded with breathtaking views of the impressive mountains of various characteristics. The ice giants of the Ziller Alps, the dark mountains of the main Alps, the pale Dolomite peaks of the Tribulaune, the high peaks of the Passeier Valley as well as the largest high Alpine group of lakes in South Tyrol and then of course, the apple orchards of Meran.
The Tiroler Höhenweg/Alta Via Tirolo … Discover pure nature!
From the Zufall hut to the Pizzini hut:
Difference in height: 1.008 hm
Descent: 585 hm
Length: 11,5 km
Duration: ca. 6,5h
The eighth stage is the most demanding tour of the circular hiking trail 360° Upper Vinschgau Valley. The Tellajoch surprises with a typical 360° panoramic view to the mountain peaks of the Ortler group and the Sesvenna group. The 360° viewing platform titles the mountainous panorama.
From there it continues with insights into the Upper Vinschgau Valleys alpine pasture to Schlinig/ Slingia.
This challenging segment leads from the alpine village of Altrei to the famed Pinot Noir village of Montan – from 1,200 meters down to 500 meters above sea-level. From Altrei, the route continues uphill via the Ziss Saddle all the way to the Horn-Alm (managed) with a wonderful view, at an altitude of more than 1,700 meters above sea-level – the highest point of this segment. From here, the trail is almost totally downhill. The next segment will take you to the Hackelboden forest hut (not managed!) and on to the hamlet of Gsteig (option for food/drink and overnight lodgings). You will then pass by the roaring Glen Waterfall via the former Fleims Valley railroad and on to Montan.
Helpful hint for this route: Take the little side-trip from Gsteig to the impressive "Kanzel" looming high above the Unterland district. You'll be rewarded with a fantastic view!
This challenging hike begins from the Jochgrimm. You then have to master approx. 500 meters of altitude-differential until you come to the Schwarzhorn (2,439 meters above sea-level). The trail then leads you around and down the other side of the Schwarzhorn until you come to the Kugeljoch; from this pass, you have a magnificent panoramic view of the Fleims Valley. You can now proceed down the "Leitensteig" staircase until you reach the Kaltenbrunn "Ice Holes," where it's pleasantly cool even in the summertime. From Kaltenbrunn (where hikers will find a number of refreshment options and also access to public transportation), there is still a short segment slightly uphill to Truden. This is a uniquely beautiful hike and is – in spite of the level of difficulty – an absolute "must" for ambitious hikers.
This challenging segment leads from Aldein via the Cislon to Gschnon and on to Gfrill. You will proceed along pleasant trails and come first to Holen, then past it to the Aldein Bridge (known as the "Little European Bridge" when first built in the 1960s). Here there are various refreshment options. And provided that you have the necessary physical fitness, you can then continue on upwards to the Cisloner Alm. A quite challenging part of the trail is over the Reiterböden. Later, you will proceed to Mühlen (option for rest-stop, refreshments, and overnight lodgings). You can then continue over a short stretch over an asphalt road and uphill to the hamlet of Gschnon (option for rest-stop, food/drink, and overnight lodgings). After that, there's a somewhat more-comfortable segment over pleasant forest paths and the Gfrill Saddle until you come to Gfrill.
From San Martino in Monte to Stava/Staben:
Difference in height: 290 hm
Descent: 1.400 hm
Length: 13 km
Duration: 4 - 4,5 h
The Watles Cross Tour is the ideal tour to discover the Watles adventure mountain and all its different facets. This hike leads from the Plantapatsch mountain hut up to the summit cross and back again via the Pfaffensee lake.
This challenging segment leads from Gfrill / Cauria (1,330 meters above sea-level) via the hamlet of Gschnon / Casignano and the Cisloner Alm and to Aldein (1,200 meters above sea-level). At the beginning, the route is uphill via the Gfrill Saddle until you reach Gschnon (option for rest-stop, food/drink, and overnight lodgings). From there, you will continue over the asphalt road uphill until you come to Mühlen / Molini (again: option for food/drink and overnight lodgings). After that, it's a rather steep path up to the Cisloner Alm. From here, you will proceed downhill until you reach the Aldein Bridge (known as the "Little European Bridge" when built back in the 1960s). This is a good spot to make a rest-stop (lodgings also available). You can then continue via Holen / Olmi until your come to Aldein / Aldino.
The new Ortler High Mountain Trail extends around the Stelvio National Park, from Venosta Valley in South Tyrol to Valtellina in Lombardy. With an altitude performance of 8,126 m across the entire route, this high Alpine hike circumnavigates the Ortler Group, in sections running at over 3,000 m altitude, and is one of the most demanding high-altitude routes in the Alpine region. Here, everything is demanded of even the most experienced mountain hikers: surefootedness, good fitness and suitable equipment are basic requirements for the seven-day tour, as one section runs over glacial terrain. The company of a mountain guide is recommended.
The Ortler High Mountain Trail is approximately 119.5 km long, and offers a highly unique experience in nature. It is divided into seven daily stages, each of which can be completed in six to eight hours. The individual stages of the circular hike can also be undertaken as eventful single-day hikes exploring the wide variety of local fauna and flora in the Stelvio National Park. The ideal time for all experienced mountain hikers is between June to September, with mild temperatures and clear visibility offering a unique panoramic view of the Ortler Group glaciers. Each stage of this high Alpine circular hiking trail offers its own special scenic highlights in the truest sense of the word.
The designated Alpine pastures and mountain huts along this high Alpine route are working farms and offer both food and accommodation to hikers.
From the small village of Buchholz, you will then continue on to Gfrill. Right after Buchholz, the Truden Faultline becomes especially noticeable. This boundary is visible not only on the basis of the different geological strata (dolomites and porphyry), but also due to the change in vegetation. The trail is steadily uphill until you come to the ruins of the walls of an old cableway. You continue along the old cableway trail, steadily uphill, until arriving in Gfrill, an alpine village surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.
The start of the fourth stage of the circular hiking trail 360° Upper Vinschgau Valley is the mountaineering village Matsch/ Mazia. Along this stretch, you will experience the numerous cultural highlights of the Upper Vinschgau Valley.
From the Stelvio Pass to Stilfs/Stelvio:
Difference in height: 335 hm
Descent: 1.811 hm
Length: 18,5 km
Duration: ca. 7,5h
In winter some sections of the route may be covered in snow or ice.
The path is not suitable for pushchairs.
We follow the forestry trail no. 2 through a shady forest. After a while, the path gets straighter and winds over big meadows with larches on it until it passes idyllic chalets. We will often get past cured moors. Then we follow the forestry trail E5, which is the European Long Distance Path, and we get back to the "Trudner Horn" on 1.710m where we can enjoy a marvellous view over the Alps of Val die Fiemme. After a rest on the alpine cabin "Trudner Horn Alm" we walk down to the "Ziss-Sattel" and follow the forestry road no. 3 past the lime kiln through spruce and fir forests back to Anterivo.
The GEOTour starts at the GEOMuseum Radein/Redagno which shows the Bletterbach canyon’s special geological features. Our tour leads through a forest to the so called “Zirmersteig” (trail). Then we go down the canyon and follow the river upwards to the head of the valley (“Gorz”). From here we have to walk back to the “Gorzsteig”. This trail leads to the Visitor Centre GEOPARC Bletterbach in Aldino. From here we have two possibilities to return to Redagno/Radein: to walk back or to take the bus.
Hiking & "törggelen": This ancient South Tyrolean custom alone is worth a trip. From October to the beginning of the Advent season, you meet the "törggelen" in the Renon inns and taverns with young wine, sweet cider and hearty delicacies. When the chestnuts are roasted over the "Keschtnfeuer", you feel as if you have travelled back in time. One-time quaint!
From the Düsseldorfer hut to the Zufall hut:
Difference in height: 913 hm
Descent: 1.363 hm
Length: 14 km
Duration: ca. 7,45h
From Sant’Antonio to Lake Cancano:
Difference in height: 1.400 hm
Descent: 792 hm
Length: 16 km
Duration: ca. 8 h
This challenging segment leads from the famed Pinot Noir village of Montan all the way to Altrei. This alpine village is situated at an elevation of almost 1,200 meters above sea-level. From Montan, the route leads via the old railroad route of the former Fleims Valley railroad, on past the Glen Waterfall, up to the hamlet of Gsteig (option for food/drink and overnight lodgings). Then, from the Kalkofen parking lot, you will take the steep uphill route to the Hackelboden forest hut (not managed!) and on to the Horn-Alm (which is managed), the highest point of this segment. After a short pause (option for food/drink and overnight lodgings), you continue downhill along an easy path via the Ziss Saddle. You might want to stop at the Kneipp hydro-therapeutic station on your way to Altrei.
Helpful hint for this route: Take the little side-trip from Gsteig to the impressive "Kanzel" looming high above the Unterland district. You'll be rewarded with a fantastic view!
From the Pizzini hut to Sant’Antonio:
Difference in height: 898 hm
Descent: 2.304 hm
Length: 20,5 km
Duration: ca. 8,5h
Home of mountain farmers: hike from Monte Eggerberg mountain to Villabassa
Starting point: Monguelfo – school center (1112m) Distance: 8 km Descent: with public transportation Duration: 02:45 h Difficulty: medium Difference in altitude: 348 m Possibility of sledding: no
The third stage of the circular hiking trail 360° Upper Vinschgau Valley trumps with unique views from the giant swing.