From Lake Reschen to Merano
Via Claudia Augusta – In the Footsteps of the Romans 📜⌛🏛️🏺
This hiking journey combines history, culinary delights, and breathtaking scenery in a particularly harmonious way. Walking along the ancient Roman road, the Via Claudia Augusta, you will travel from Lake Reschen to the Mediterranean spa town of Merano, discovering one of South Tyrol’s most beautiful regions 🌞🌿. Framed by an alpine panorama and views of the mighty Ortler Massif, your journey begins at the famous Lake Reschen, where the sunken church tower rises silently from the water—an unforgettable sight 🌊⛪.
Soon, scenic high-altitude trails lead you high above the fertile Vinschgau Valley. Along the historic Waalwege (ancient irrigation channels), you will hike through extensive orchards and vineyards, passing old castles and monasteries 🍇🏰. The landscape feels vast, flooded with light, and soothingly peaceful. Towns like Graun, Burgeis, Schlanders, and Naturns invite you to pause, while Marienberg Abbey and the impressive Churburg Castle tell the powerful story of the region’s eventful history 📜✨.
With each passing day, the landscape becomes gentler and more Mediterranean in character. Following well-maintained paths, you trace the ancient irrigation canals that have fed the fields for centuries. Particularly impressive are the archaeological sites at Ganglegg and the Tartscher Bühel, where traces of early settlements date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages 🗿🌄. In Laas, you will encounter the famous marble quarries, and a detour to Juval Castle offers a glimpse into the world of mountaineer Reinhold Messner 🏔️📚.
The rhythm of this journey is intentionally leisurely. The stages are manageable and invite you to experience your surroundings with all your senses. A glass of wine by the wayside, the scent of ripe apples in the orchards, the gentle splashing of water in the Waale, and constant panoramic views across the valley 🍷🍎💧.
Finally, you reach Merano, where palm trees, promenades, and the famous thermal baths transform the alpine path into Southern lightness 🏖️☀️. Here, the hike comes to a relaxed conclusion—perhaps with a stroll through the old town or a soak in the warm thermal springs.
The Via Claudia Augusta from Lake Reschen to Merano is a hiking journey full of contrasts: alpine and Mediterranean, steeped in history and full of enjoyment, quiet yet packed with impressions. A route that slows you down, inspires you, and stays in your heart for a long time 💚🌄.
Day 1
Arrival in Resia/surroundings
Arrival in Resia/surroundings
Hotel (example): Aktivhotel Edelweiss
Day 2
Resia/surroundings – Burgusio/Malles
First along Lake Resia reservoir, where you will find the best known camera motive of the Val Venosta Valley, the flooded spire of Gaun. The route runs past Lake San Valentino and along the largest alluvial fan of the Alps and leads up to the idyllic mountain village Planeil. Downhill you walk through forest and later through flowering meadows to Burgusio, with view to the impressive monastery of Marienberg.
Hotel (example): Aparthotel Das Morrigl
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Day 3
Burgusio/Malles – Sluderno
Walk along the Sonnensteig path, a newly created theme path with fantastic views of the snowy mountain peaks. High above the town Malles, with its many towers, onwards and over the Tartscher Bichl past ‚Ganglegg’, a historic archaeological site from the Bronze and Iron Age on to Sluderno, with the most impressive and best-preserved castles in South Tyrol.
Hotel (example): Hotel Saldur
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Day 4
Sluderno – Silandro
From the foot of Sonnberg your walk starts and continues crossing through dense forests. Above Laas, well known for the white marble, you later reach the orchards of Val Venosta Valley – apple trees as far as the eyes can see.
Hotel (example): Genusshotel Goldene Rose
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Day 5
Silandro – Naturno/surroundings
This stage takes you along sunny mountain slopes above the fertile Val VenostaValley. Along the Latschander Waalweg you hike through the growing areas of the best South Tyrolean wines. Continue up to Messner's Juval Castle or take a leisurely stroll along the Val Venosta Valley Wine Trail down into the valley to Naturno.
Hotel (example): Kleinkunsthotel
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Day 6
Naturno/surroundings – Merano
High up following the panoramic trail through forests, past Alpine mountain farms forever accompanied by stunning views of the Val Venosta Valley. Follow Partschinser and Algunder Waal path down into the mediterranean spa town of Merano. Tired muscles get a chance to relax in the thermal spa.
Hotel (example): Flora Hotel & Suites
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Day 7
Departure or extension
You can now choose to extend your stay in Merano and South Tyrol individually to explore the rest of the region on your own. Alternatively, you have the option to continue your journey along the Via Claudia Augusta for two more stages to Lake Kaltern (Kalterer See). We would be happy to assist you with this and provide you with a customized offer.
Requirements for hikers
Summary
- Total approx 88 km over 5 hiking days
- 6 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from € 869 per person
- Total approx. 128 km over 7 hiking days
- 8 nights
- from € 1,089 per person
Facts about the Via Claudia Augusta
- The Via Claudia Augusta is a historic Roman road in the Alpine region
- It connected Roman Italy with the provinces north of the Alps
- The road was completed in the 1st century AD under Emperor Claudius
- It ran through the present-day countries of Italy, Austria, and Germany
- The total historic length is approximately 650–700 kilometers
- The most important Alpine crossing on the route is the Reschen Pass (1,504 m)
- The road connected significant Roman cities such as Altinum, Tridentum (Trento), and Augusta Vindelicorum (Augsburg)
- It served both military supply lines as well as trade and travel traffic