South Tyrolean Wine & Alpine Pasture Trail
Pleasure hiking between vines, mountains, and the Italian way of life🍇🌄☀️
The South Tyrolean Wine and Alpine Meadow Trail uniquely combines Mediterranean indulgence with alpine nature. Right at the beginning of your hiking week, you are accompanied by blooming wine and apple orchards, stretching like a colourful carpet through the Etsch Valley🌸🍎. From the elegant spa town of Meran, which Empress Sissi once fell in love with, you hike along the famous South Tyrolean Wine Road. Historic castles and palaces throne above the vines, while idyllic wine villages repeatedly invite you for indulgent breaks🍷😌.
Along the way, you feel the special rhythm of South Tyrol. A glass of wine on a sun terrace, regional specialities made from apples and grapes, and the warm light of the south make every stage a little feast for the senses☀️🥨. Another highlight awaits you in the regional capital, Bozen (Bolzano). Between the arcades and the hustle and bustle on Piazza Walther, Italian flair mixes with alpine serenity🏛️🇮🇹. Here, it is worth pausing briefly, enjoying an espresso, and letting the city life work its magic☕✨.
After the delightful days in the valley, the trail leads up to the sunny high plateau of Mölten. At around 1,100 metres above sea level, a completely new world opens up🌿⛰️. Light larch forests, extensive alpine meadows, and grazing cows characterise the landscape. The clear mountain air and the tranquillity of nature create a pleasant contrast to the vibrant activity of the towns. Delicious specialities made from the milk of the alpine pastures can be tasted along the way🧀🐄.
The panoramic views accompany you throughout the entire hiking week. Again and again, your gaze wanders over the fertile Etsch Valley, the deep blue Lake Kaltern, and up to the rugged peaks of the Dolomites as well as the gentle heights of the Sarntal Alps🌊⛰️. The ascent to the Stoanerne Mandln (Stone Men) is particularly impressive, opening up a wide 360-degree view. The Knottnkino (rock cinema) also remains unforgettable. In the midst of nature, you take a seat and can relaxedly soak in the panorama of the Meran basin and the surrounding mountain world🎥🌄.
The paths on this trip are pleasant to walk and lead over forest trails, forest roads, and quiet paths through vineyards and alpine landscapes👣🌲. With a good basic fitness level, this hike becomes a pure pleasure. New views, culinary highlights, and the feeling of being in exactly the right place between the Alps and the south await as a daily reward💚.
The South Tyrolean Wine and Alpine Meadow Trail is a hiking trip full of lightness, enjoyment, and scenic diversity. A week that decelerates, inspires, and resonates for a long time✨🥾🍇.
Day 1
Arrival in Merano
Discover the countless enchanting corners of Merano during a stroll through this spa town, a favourite dwelling spot of the Empress Sissi. After a walk through its arbour alleys, relax along the promenade of the raging river Passer.
Hotel (example): Flora Hotel & Suites
Day 2
Merano – Nalles
Along the path ‚Marlinger Waalweg’, the longest Waal of South Tyrol into the ‚apple metropolis’ Lana. On your way marvellous views onto Merano and the Etsch valley until Bolzano await. Through deciduous forests you ascend all the way to Tisens, famous for its sweet chestnuts. The second section of Day 2 brings you to an area teeming with castles, in Nalles the 3 castles Stachelburg, Schwanburg and Payrsberg await.
Hotel (example): Traubenheim
distance
climb
descent
duration
Day 3
Nalles – Bolzano
A wonderful walk past palaces and castles along the high-altitude path with a fantastic view. Part of the way leads you along the 3-castle route into the well-known wine-growing village of Eppan with its extensive wine growing areas and the characteristic flair of the South Tyrolean wine route. Then a short bus ride into the provincial capital Bolzano. Enjoy the Italian flair in the arbour alleys and whilst sipping a cappuccino on Waltherplatz square.
Hotel (example): Parkhotel Laurin
distance
climb
descent
duration
Day 4
Bolzano – Meltina
In the morning take the bus to Jenesien and experience South Tyrol’s most stunning facets. Starting with a unique panoramic view from Lake Caldaro over the castles and palaces along the wine route to the jaggered rockfaces of the Dolomites. Walk across vast meadows dotted with horses and cattle and through clear forests with ancient larch trees until you reach the village of Meltina on the high plateau of the Tschöggelberg mountain.
Hotel (example): Zum Löwen
distance
climb
descent
duration
Day 5
Circular walk Meltina
The picturesque village of Meltina, situated above 1100 m is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Meadows covered in flowers, insanely fragrant larch forests and alpine pastures right up to the ‚Steinerne Mandln’ (stoney people) invite to a relaxing walk. Nature at its finest as well as breathtaking distant views onto the Etsch valley right at your feet and numerous impressive mountain peaks. This wonderful circular tour also includes a break at the rustic hut on the “Möltner Kaser” with a tasting of traditional dumpling specialties.
Hotel (example): Zum Löwen
distance
climb
descent
duration
Day 6
Meltina – Merano
Your final stage leads through magnificent meadows and forests to the "Knottnkino", three spectacular open-air stages with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Adige Valley. From the rocky peaks of the Knottn, the route continues to Hafling, the home of the famous horse breed. A short bus ride takes you down to Merano, where the magnificent gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are well worth a visit before you stroll into the town center in the footsteps of Empress Sissi.
Hotel (example): Flora Hotel & Suites
distance
climb
descent
duration
Day 7
Departure or extension
Requirements for hikers
Summary
- Arrival Saturday and Sunday
- Total approx 70 km over 5 hiking days
- 6 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Bus trip Jenesin
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 829,- € per person
Facts about South Tyrol
- South Tyrol is the largest contiguous apple-growing region in Europe
- Every 12th award-winning wine originates from South Tyrol
- There are three official languages and 40 different dialects in South Tyrol
- 64.5% of the surface area of South Tyrol is located above 1,500 metres
Climate in South Tyrol
South Tyrol is protected against the influences of the surrounding climatic zones because of the mountain ranges. This also reduces the amount of rain, and gives the area a Mediterranean character. July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 29 ° C. In January the temperature can drop to -7 ° C at alpine altitudes. With 300 sunny days a year, South Tyrol is ideal for an active holiday, and is a popular hiking destination.
Cuisine in South Tyrol
Rural traditions paired with Mediterranean charm are the ingredients for the hearty and unmistakable cuisine. The passion for tasty and healthy food is clear in South Tyrol. But it’s not only the food that’s a pleasure in the region, the high quality wines are also something special. South Tyrol has one of the most northerly growing vineyards in Italy, which is why the wine is described as lively and complex, not least because of the different altitudes.