Merano High Mountain Trail: South Tyrol’s Best View

Route & Itinerary

Merano High Mountain Trail

Merano High Mountain Trail south side

Most beautiful places

Most Scenic Stages

Cuisine

Travel stories

100 Kilometers

Loop trail through the Texelgruppe Nature Park

5–8 days

Recommended duration for experienced hikers

2.895 Meters

Highest point: Eisjöchl

Trail marker No. 24

Continuously marked

June to September

Best time to travel

Route & Itinerary

The Merano High Mountain Trail is an alpine loop through the Texelgruppe in South Tyrol. Covering about 100 kilometers, it can be completed in 5 to 8 days, with each stage also possible as a day tour. The trail is continuously marked with No. 24.

The route passes along high paths, alpine passes, and exposed sections secured with chains, ropes, or railings. Natural steps and constructed stairways ease ascents and descents, while stunning views over Merano, the Vinschgau Valley, and surrounding peaks appear at every turn. The hike requires surefootedness, a head for heights, and good physical condition, though some stages can be shortened via valley alternatives or public transportation.

The hiking path was established in 1976 with the founding of the Texelgruppe Nature Park, aiming both to preserve the alpine landscape and provide recreational opportunities for hikers.

Where Alpine peaks meet Mediterranean breeze

The area around Merano is all about striking opposites — here, mighty Alpine summits blend into gentle southern landscapes to create a setting truly unique in Europe. Soaring above the valleys are snow-dusted three-thousand-meter peaks, lush mountain pastures, and wild ridgelines, while below, palm trees and cypress grow beside vineyards and blossoming orchards.

This singular location makes Merano the ultimate base for hikes along the high trail, where abundant sunshine bathes the region in a golden glow and continually reveals spectacular new perspectives on the Texel mountains. Along these panoramic paths, you’ll experience the vibrant mix of pristine mountain spirit and Mediterranean zest up close — contrasts that shape the region’s unmistakable character and turn every hike into a feast for the senses.

Wooden trail sign showing directions to Schloss Thurnstein, Schloss Tirol, and Algunder Waalweg, surrounded by blooming apple trees with mountains behind.

Merano High Mountain Trail

Encircling the majestic Texel Group, the Merano High Mountain Trail leads you through the Ötztal Alps, connecting flower-laden meadows to rugged alpine paths. Highlights include the ascent to the Stettiner Hut at 2,900 meters, the unspoiled Schnals Valley, and the thrilling “Thousand Steps Gorge.” The route passes directly by Reinhold Messner’s Castle Juval and traces dramatic panoramic high walks. Expect daily stages of up to 6.5 hours and climbs up to 1,300 meters. Cable car rides and transfers are included at key sections.

Merano High Mountain Trail

8 Days

Merano High Mountain Trail south side

Bask in sunshine as you traverse the southern stretch — from the Schnals Valley to the Pfelders Valley. The path leads through the Vinschgau along spectacular rocky trails and suspension bridges, past Castle Juval, through the wild Thousand Steps Gorge, and onward to Schnals and Passeier valleys. Daily hikes range from 4 to 6 hours, with ascents of up to 1,200 meters requiring stamina and steady footing. Three cable car rides, breathtaking views of the Ötztal giants, and heartwarming mountain huts promise an unforgettable adventure.

View of the beautiful landscape in Naturns

Merano High Mountain Trail south side

8 Days

Hikers in a beautiful valley in the Vinschgau Valley

Rocky mountain path through dense forest on Meraner Höhenweg, opening to valley view with snow-capped peaks under blue sky.

Female hiker in blue jacket studying a map at wooden terrace table with mountain panorama view over Merano valley and alpine peaks.

Wooden suspension bridge spanning a steep gorge with lush green vegetation and rocky cliffs on the Meraner Höhenweg hiking trail.

Hiker with blue backpack overlooking Stettiner Hütte on Meraner Höhenweg. Rocky alpine terrain with mountain lake and snow-capped peaks.

Katharinaberg church on a hilltop in Schnalstal valley, surrounded by forested slopes with snow-capped mountain peaks in the background.

Hiking with a view

Named one of the Alps’ most stunning panorama trails — and for good reason — the Merano High Mountain Trail stays high above it all, opening up one sweeping vista after the next across South Tyrol’s ever-changing landscapes. Below, the Merano basin glimmers, while your gaze travels over the Vinschgau Valley, deep into the Passeier Valley, and upward to the bold peaks of the Texel Group.

It’s the ever-present mountains and the kaleidoscope of perspectives that give the path its special magic. At every turn, new scenes unfold: gentle pasture slopes give way to dramatic rocky ridges; across the valley, imposing three-thousanders rise up as villages and orchards color the valleys far below. On this trail, you don’t just explore the outdoors — you witness South Tyrol from its very best vantage point.

The Most Beautiful Places along the Merano High Mountain Trail

Merano

Merano is the perfect starting point for the Merano High Mountain Trail, with access points in Dorf Tirol, Algund, and Partschins. After your hike, stroll along Mediterranean-style promenades, explore the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, or unwind at the thermal baths – a unique mix of alpine charm and southern flair.

Dorf Tirol

Perched above Merano, Dorf Tirol is steeped in history. Schloss Tirol, historic churches, and panoramic trails invite exploration. You can walk the Tappeinerweg down to the valley or take the Hochmuth cable car straight into the mountains.

Partschins

Famed for its striking waterfall and picturesque village center, Partschins offers direct access to the Merano High Mountain Trail. Enjoy unspoiled nature, rustic alpine huts, and authentic South Tyrolean hospitality.

Naturns

Sunny and tranquil, Naturns is perfect for relaxing. The Unterstell cable car leads directly to the Merano High Mountain Trail, and afterward, you can browse cozy markets, savor fine local wines, or unwind at the leisure pool.

Panoramic view over apple orchards in Naturno

Schnalstal

The Schnalstal Valley opens onto a pristine high-mountain landscape of glaciers and quiet alpine pastures. Trace the footsteps of Ötzi, ride the glacier cable car to soaring heights, and soak in the peace far from everyday life.

Algund

Nestled among vineyards and apple orchards, Algund provides easy access to the Merano High Mountain Trail via the Aschbach cable car. In the valley, enjoy Mediterranean-style promenades, charming cafés, and a mild, inviting climate.

Authentic Alpine Pastures & high passages

What truly sets this trail apart is its immense variety. Each segment shifts seamlessly from broad alpine pastures and wildflower meadows to pristine high-altitude grazing lands, narrow mountain paths, and spectacular rocky routes. Sometimes you wander grassy meadows dotted with grazing cows, soon after you’re immersed in a stark mountain world, with breathtaking drops down into South Tyrol’s valleys.

Crossing the Eisjöchl at nearly 3,000 meters is one of the trail’s high points — here, the raw alpine spirit of the Texel Group reveals itself in all its splendor. The legendary Stettiner hut, nestled in the heart of these lofty peaks, is both a beloved rest stop and a slice of true mountain soul. It’s this constant interplay — between rustic huts, cozy inns, and demanding alpine stages — that makes each day unique. Along the way, you’ll experience South Tyrol from its most authentic and vibrant side.

Two oversized wooden chairs at Trauttmansdorffer Thronsessel viewpoint on Meraner Höhenweg, overlooking mountain valleys and peaks.

Panoramic view from Meraner Höhenweg showing green alpine meadows, scattered farmhouses, and mountain ranges under blue sky with valley below.

White church with dark roof and steeple in Pfelders village, surrounded by traditional alpine buildings and green mountain slopes under blue sky.

Blue hiking backpack resting on wooden bench outside Montferthof mountain hut with traditional wooden construction and decorative roof beams.

Mountain stream flowing through green meadows past Lazins Alm wooden chalets, with snow-capped peaks and cloudy sky in the background.

Valley view with blooming fruit trees, green fields, and snow-capped mountains under blue sky along the Meraner Höhenweg hiking trail.

Through apple orchards and vineyards

Hiking the Merano High Mountain Trail, you’ll not only marvel at mountain grandeur but also walk through a region deeply shaped by fruit and wine. Around Merano and throughout the Vinschgau Valley, broad apple orchards stretch toward the horizon, as much a part of the landscape as the peaks above.

The apples themselves are far more than a regional specialty—they’re woven into South Tyrol’s very identity. Again and again along your route, you’ll pass blossoming orchards, traditional farmhouses, and the famed Vinschgau apples that make this area so distinctive.

The Most Scenic Stages on the Merano High Mountain Trail

Merano – Passeiertal

17 Kilometers | ↗ 600 Meters | ↘ 800 Meters

The hike begins at Hohen Kreuz, winding through shaded forest paths, quaint hamlets, and charming chapels down to the trail’s lowest point. From there, the route climbs across open fields, passing the Feuersteinweg, before reaching Sankt Martin – with the option of a short bus ride or a scenic valley hike. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views that hint at the mountains to come.

Passeiertal – Pfelders

↔ 17 Kilometers | ↗ 1.200 Meters | ↘ 200 Meters

On the Norggensteig, you ascend through dense mountain forest to the panoramic trail above Sankt Leonhard. Blooming meadows alternate with quiet alpine farm settlements, while the sound of a rushing stream guides you into the remote village of Pfelders – a place that feels almost “at the end of the world.”

Pfelders – Schnalstal

↔ 21 Kilometers | ↗ 1.300 Meters | ↘ 1.200 Meters

The highlight of the tour carries you through the dramatic valley head, past the Lazinser Alm, and up to the Eisjöchl. At nearly 2,900 meters, jaw-dropping views of the Ötztal Alps stretch across the horizon. The descent into the Pfossental navigates alpine pastures and rugged terrain, ending with a transfer to your hotel.

Schnalstal – Naturns

↔ 13 Kilometers | ↗ 800 Meters | ↘ 800 Meters

From the deeply carved Schnalstal Valley, trails lead you to Katharinaberg, passing rustic farmsteads tucked into the mountains. The highlight of the stage is Juval Castle, Reinhold Messner’s residence, perched dramatically above the valley, before you glide down to Naturns via the Unterstell cable car.

Naturns – Partschins

↔ 10 Kilometers | ↗ 550 Meters | ↘ 750 Meters

This stage returns to the high trail with expansive views over the Vinschgau Valley. Meandering forest paths, alpine farmsteads, and the thrilling Thousand Steps Gorge guide you to the Alpine guesthouse Giggelberg, before a scenic cable car descent to Partschins.

Indulge in South Tyrol

Along the Merano High Mountain Trail, nature and indulgence go hand in hand. The region around Merano and the Vinschgau isn’t just famed for its towering mountains, but also for a culinary scene brimming with regional character. Inviting alpine huts, traditional eateries, and cozy snack stops cluster along the paths, ready to tempt you with South Tyrolean specialities — think hearty dumplings, local cured ham, Vinschgau bread, or just-baked apple strudel.

A deep connection to nature runs through every bite: apples from the Vinschgau, robust local wines, time-honored recipes—here, each meal is a celebration after a day of adventure. The Merano High Mountain Trail becomes more than a hike—it's a discovery tour through the culinary treasures of South Tyrol.