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Two hikers study the hiking map on the post bridge with a view of Merano and the mountains behind it

From Merano to Lake Garda with Charm

South Tyrol, Brenta Dolomites & Trento

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
Two hikers study the hiking map on the post bridge with a view of Merano and the mountains behind it

South Tyrol is the land of many hours of sunshine, the largest apple-growing area in Europe and a region that makes hikers’ hearts beat faster. This tour goes from Merano to Riva del Garda - so it gets Mediterranean! You can expect excellent cappuccino, charming olive groves and pretty lakeside promenades, complemented by sparkling lakes, great mountain panoramas and South Tyrolean warmth.

Even the start in the spa and garden city of Merano is a highlight! Tip: Don’t miss a visit to the botanical gardens. From here you go steadily south. The route takes you over waterfalls and forests to Nals and along the historic castle path to Lake Kaltern.

Let yourself be inspired by the atmosphere in Trento while you ‘hike’ in the mountain villages of Cordeo and Molveno. You will get to know the famous Brenta Dolomites on a circular route before Lake Garda awaits!

  • South Tyrolean Wine Route & apple orchards: Did you know around 50% of the Italian apple harvest and every 12th award-winning Italian wine come from South Tyrol? Reason enough not only to take in the scent, but also the taste of these natural treasures.
  • High-altitude hikes with fascinating mountain views and the impressive Brenta Dolomites: On the Burgenweg, in the Nons Valley you hike at height with grandiose views - a real pleasure for all the senses! The impressive Brenta Dolomites, where you can hike to the glittering Lago Nembia, are a real highlight.
  • Enchanting mountain villages: The liveliness of the Italian zest for life is the perfect change from the quiet hiking tours. Coredo and Molveno, two real gems in Trentino, are waiting to be discovered by you.
  • Rivers, gorges and glittering lakes: The nature of South Tyrol is unique and you will pass several scenic highlights on the journey. You hike through deep gorges and along idyllic river valleys. Be sure to hop into one of the many lakes, e.g. Lake Kaltern. It is one of the warmest mountain lakes in the Alps.
  • Mediterranean flair on Lake Garda: Enjoy the vastness of the lake with a delicious gelato and soak in the liveliness in the alleys of the enchanting villages around Riva, Desenzano and Sirmione.

As you will be hiking along plateaus and climbing, you will need to be fit and wear sturdy shoes. You will be rewarded with great routes and hiking paths, such as the characteristic Waalwege, as well as great views. The six daily stages are ten to 20 km long and are complemented by panoramic mountain trips. The tour is also ideal for a hiking holiday with a dog.

On our ‘Hiking Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of hiking.

Itinerary at a glance

The natural scenery of South Tyrol offers you romantic river valleys, sparkling lakes, vast orchards and alpine terrain in the Dolomites. Before arriving at Lake Garda, you will pass the charming villages of Coredo and Molveno.

Enjoy the Mediterranean flair in this wonderful and cultural town in the heart of South Tyrol. Wander around the charming arcades or follow in the footsteps of Emperess Sissi along the 'Passer' esplanade.

Along the Waal paths you venture through apple plantations before arriving at an impressive waterfall. Soon your trail leads you through the hills of the chestnut place Tisens and up to the historic little church of St. Christoph. After hiking through a beautiful woodland with fantastic views deep into the Etsch valley you reach Nals, an idyllic little village in the middle of apple orchards and vineyards.

Today you can look forward to a fascinating hike on the trail of castles. On interesting and steep roads you walk from fortress to fortress where you can admire diverse historic architecture. In the afternoon you wander through the region of ‘holes in the ice’, a natural phenomenon which gives you the chance to discover icicles in midsummer. Past the tower of St. George and many more vineyards, you will soon reach Lake Kaltern.

In the morning you travel to the Mendelpass (saddle of Mendel) by train. Enjoy the phenomenal view before you continue your comfortable walk over the plateau towards Nonstal, the language and provincial border. Into amazing canyons and through idyllic small villages to the pilgrimage site of Saint Romedio and past two small sparkling lakes, you will soon reach Coredo. Here you can enjoy the Italian comfort in the middle of Trentino.

After a short transfer you can admire the impressive landscape of the Nonstal, before you begin your walk along the ‘Way of St. James’, up to the airy high plain of the Paganella. The path leads through wide woodland areas up to Cavedago with its famous triple-arched bridge. Further on across the wetland of a karst lake towards Andalo and then on to the village of Molveno, situated at the foot of the Brenta-Dolomites and the same-named mountain lake with its turquoise water.hnamigen türkisblau glitzernden Alpensee gelegen.

Enjoy the fascinating alpine world of the tall peaks of the Brenta group! You ascend into the mountain area of the Pradel by cable car and you discover one of its most beautiful hiking routes. Stop at a Rifugio (mountain hut) and enjoy a typical Italian snack as well as the impressive view of the surrounding mountain tops, before you slowly descend to the crystal clear, green tarn Lago Nembia.

At the end of your hiking week you walk through the untouched meadows of the valley of Lomason. After that you climb up to Rifugio Monte San Pietro, where you are presented with a stunning view of Lake Garda. Walk down through winding streets and archways, past stonewalls to the castle of Tenno. On the last few kilometres of your tour you walk through olive groves and Mediterranean cypress vegetation until you reach the goal of your hiking week, the banks of Lake Garda.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

The natural scenery of South Tyrol offers you romantic river valleys, sparkling lakes, vast orchards and alpine terrain in the Dolomites. Before arriving at Lake Garda, you will pass the charming villages of Coredo and Molveno.

Enjoy the Mediterranean flair in this wonderful and cultural town in the heart of South Tyrol. Wander around the charming arcades or follow in the footsteps of Emperess Sissi along the 'Passer' esplanade.

Along the Waal paths you venture through apple plantations before arriving at an impressive waterfall. Soon your trail leads you through the hills of the chestnut place Tisens and up to the historic little church of St. Christoph. After hiking through a beautiful woodland with fantastic views deep into the Etsch valley you reach Nals, an idyllic little village in the middle of apple orchards and vineyards.

Today you can look forward to a fascinating hike on the trail of castles. On interesting and steep roads you walk from fortress to fortress where you can admire diverse historic architecture. In the afternoon you wander through the region of ‘holes in the ice’, a natural phenomenon which gives you the chance to discover icicles in midsummer. Past the tower of St. George and many more vineyards, you will soon reach Lake Caldaro.

In the morning you travel to the Mendelpass (saddle of Mendel) by train. Enjoy the phenomenal view before you continue your comfortable walk over the plateau towards Nonstal, the language and provincial border. Into amazing canyons and through idyllic small villages to the pilgrimage site of Saint Romedio and past two small sparkling lakes, you will soon reach Coredo. Here you can enjoy the Italian comfort in the middle of Trento.

During a short transfer you can admire the impressive landscape of the Val di Non. Afterwards, you hike through lonely forests up to the panoramic square at the worth seeing little church San Tommaso. Continue into the Priori nature park area and across the wetland of a karst lake to Andalo and on to Molveno, situated at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites and on the sparkling turquoise-blue Alpine lake of the same name.

Enjoy the fascinating alpine world of the tall peaks of the Brenta group! You ascend into the mountain area of the Pradel by cable car and you discover one of its most beautiful hiking routes. Stop at a Rifugio (mountain hut) and enjoy a typical Italian snack as well as the impressive view of the surrounding mountain tops, before you slowly descend to the crystal clear, green tarn Lago Nembia.

At the end of your hiking week you walk through the untouched meadows of the valley of Lomason. After that you climb up to Rifugio Monte San Pietro, where you are presented with a stunning view of Lake Garda. Walk down through winding streets and archways, past stonewalls to the castle of Tenno. On the last few kilometres of your tour you walk through olive groves and Mediterranean cypress vegetation until you reach the goal of your hiking week, the banks of Lake Garda.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Mountain Hiking

You will mainly walk on well-maintained walking paths, often on the Waal paths which are ancient water systems. In some sections you will be walking on forest trails and steep paths. We recommend a good basic fitness level for walking days of 3 up to 6 hours as well as for longer ascents. Easier alternatives of the daily sections are possible by bus. A varied walking tour for lovers of promising trails.

Prices & Dates

Category: see description

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • 1 Mendelpass mountain railway
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Ascent fare cable car Pradel-Molveno (only during summer season, otherwise short walk)
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel and tour documents 1x per room (German, Englisch, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher)
  • Return transfer by minibus from to Merano or Kaltern every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday morning, costs EUR 79 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train journey to Merano or Bolzano and by Bus to Kaltern
  • Verona airport.
  • Parking: Limited number of free hotel parking spaces or limited car parks near the hotels, approx. EUR 50 to EUR 80 per week, payable on-site, no reservation required.
  • Return journey from Riva to Rovereto (www.ttesercizio.it) by bus and then by train via Bozen to Merano, approx. 3 hours, from Bolzano by Bus in about 30 minutes to Kaltern.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Bus fare Lago Nembia to Molveno, approx. EUR 3 per person
  • Special dates on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (8-day tour, DE, EN)
  • 1 Mendelpass mountain railway
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Ascent fare cable car Pradel-Molveno (only during summer season, otherwise short walk)
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel and tour documents 1x per room (German, Englisch, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer by minibus from Riva del Garda to Merano or Caldaro every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday morning, costs EUR 79 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train journey to Merano or Bolzano and by Bus to Caldaro
  • Verona airport.
  • Parking: Limited number of free hotel parking spaces or limited car parks near the hotels, approx. EUR 50 to EUR 80 per week, payable on-site, no reservation required.
  • Return journey from Riva to Rovereto (www.ttesercizio.it) by bus and then by train via Bozen to Merano, approx. 3 hours, from Bolzano by Bus in about 30 minutes to Kaltern.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Bus fare Lago Nembia to Molveno, approx. EUR 3 per person
  • Special dates on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Our hotels

Relax in one of our charming accommodations on your walking tour

From our Hiking Blog

Valerie Haring

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