Merano High Mountain Trail south side

Spend the afternoon strolling through the Venosta Valley and sampling a selection of South Tyrolean specialties.

Hotel example: Kleinkunsthotel

A short bus ride brings you to the start of the hike. From the deeply carved Senales Valley, framed by impressive 3,000 m peaks, you’ll follow narrow trails to Katharinaberg, home to a striking cliffside chapel. Winding through alpine meadows and forests, you’ll pass charming traditional farmsteads until Reinhold Messner’s Juval Castle comes into view. The Unterstell cable car then carries you back down to the valley, where a leisurely walk along the Adige River leads you back to your hotel.

Hotel example: Kleinkunsthotel

Take the gondola back up to the high trail and savor breathtaking views of the Venosta Valley from the viewing platform. Narrow forest paths lead to steeply perched mountain farms before beginning the descent into the Thousand-Step Gorge. A chain-secured trail carries you deep into the gorge, crossing bridges, boardwalks, stepped paths, and rocky trails on the way back up. From the Alpine guesthouse Giggelberg, a cable car ride brings you down to Parcines at the foot of the Texel Group.

Hotel example: Hotel Die Sonne

Ascend to Giggelberg, where the spectacular high trail continues to the Nasereit Hut. The trail winds over scenic alpine pastures and past the Hochganghaus, leading to the suspension bridge and onward to Leiteralm. The rocky path opens up magnificent views over the Merano Basin. At Hochmuth, cap off the day with a final stop before the gondola takes you down to today’s stage destination, Tirolo.

Hotel example: Hotel Tiroler Adler

From the Hohe Kreuz, follow shaded forest paths downhill, passing the Longfall Hut before reaching the panoramic high trail. Along green mountain meadows and past typical South Tyrolean chapels, you’ll arrive at the lowest point of the Merano High Trail. Afterwards, the route climbs again through fields before the Feuerstein Trail descends to Sankt Martin. Alternatively, you can take a short bus ride or enjoy a leisurely valley walk to San Leonardo in Passiria.

Hotel example: Tirolerhof

In the morning, the Norggensteig trail takes you through dense mountain forest up to the panoramic path above San Leonardo in Passiria. Rolling sections of forest, meadows, and peaceful mountain villages alternate along the way. Later, you’ll cross a rushing stream and follow the final stretch along the riverbank, arriving in the charming, remote village of Plan – almost at the “end of the world.

Hotel example: Hotel Alpenblick

From Plan, the trail leads past the charming Lazinser Hut deep in the valley, where snow-capped 3,000 m peaks of the Ötztal Alps tower above and cowbells echo across the alpine pastures. Along the panoramic path, you’ll hike through expansive meadows to a cozy hut for a well-deserved stop before returning to the valley, either on foot or by cable car.

Hotel example: Hotel Alpenblick