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Panoramic view of Lake Kaltern with the sunken church tower

Lake Resia - Lake Caldaro with Charm

Via Claudia Augusta

9 Days / 8 Nights
Walking
Panoramic view of Lake Kaltern with the sunken church tower

The “Via Claudia Augusta” is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in Europe. In any case, it is one of the hiking paths that have the most to offer culturally and historically. In the past it was used by the ancient Romans, today numerous hikers enjoy the route from the Mediterranean to the Danube. Eurohike runs this trip on the section between two beautiful lakes, the Lake Resia and the Lake Caldaro.

A church tower that protrudes out of the middle of a lake - where can you get something like that? Quite simply: At the Lake Resia, which has become one of the most popular photo opportunities in the region thanks to this unusual sight. After the Lake Resia and Haiderer See, you will hike along the Adige.

You pass lush alpine pastures, shady forests, imposing mountain plateaus, charming mountain villages as well as historical castles and fortresses. Reinhold Messner's Juval Castle with the “Messner Mountain Museum” is just as worth a stop as the Ganglegg archaeological site. Day 6 of the tour finally takes you to Merano, which invites you to linger. Via the castles-rich Nals, you finally reach your destination, Lake Caldaro. Be sure to hop in before you leave, because with some over 28 degrees it is the warmest swimming lake in the Alpine region.

  • Hike through the "orchard" of South Tyrol: In Vinschgau all kinds of fruits thrive - apples, apricots, chestnuts and grapes. You should enjoy the regional specialties with these natural delights. A special feast for the eyes takes place in spring when the fruit trees transform the Vinschgau into a sea of ​​flowers.
  • Wonderful apple orchards by the path side: Over 7,000 farmers grow apples in South Tyrol. So it's no wonder that on the hiking tour you repeatedly pass apple orchards, the fruits and flowers of which exude a bewitching scent.
  • Hiking high above the Vinschgau with a view of the snow-covered Ortler massif: Rugged peaks, rocky gorges and above all the “König Ortler” with a height of 3,905m. The mountain world around the Ortler massif is a true natural spectacle.
  • South Tyrolean wines - hike through vineyards: According to tradition, viticulture in South Tyrol looks back on around 3,000 years of history. So it's no wonder that the popular drops have such a harmonious taste.
  • The spa town of Merano: Empress Sissi visited Merano for the first time in 1870 and triggered a real travel boom in the northern Italian city in the world of the rich and beautiful at the time. Walk in the footsteps of the ruler today!

The hikes cover a total length of an impressive 130 km (ten to 21 km each). The route is relatively flat or hilly and includes only a few steep gradients. The wonderful landscape of South Tyrol serves as a reward. A big plus is the historical sites and cultural highlights along the route. Note: This walking tour is also suitable for walking 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

Apricots, grapes, chestnuts - fine delicacies and the best wines await you in sunny South Tyrol. The Waal trails take you to picturesque mountain villages, through forests and to the Three Castle Route. At the final destination, you'll jump into the Lake Caldaro.
Day
01
Arrival in Reschen

First along Reschensee reservoir and over to Graun, where you will find the best known camera motive of the Vinschau, the flooded spire of Gaun. The route runs past lake Haidersee 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 Burgeis, with view to the impressive monastery of Marienberg.

Walk along the Sonnensteig path, a newly created theme path with fantastic views of the snowy mountain peaks. High above the town Mals, with its many towers, onwards and over the Tartscher Bichl past ‚Ganglegg’, a historic archaeological site from the Bronze and Iron Age on to Schluderns, with the most impressive and best-preserved castles in South Tyrol.

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 Vinschgau – apple trees as far as the eyes can see.

Today you pass through the orchard of the Vinschgau. Along the Latschander Waal path you walk through regions of the best South Tyrolean wines. Continue on the archaeological path which almost takes you to Messners castle ‘Juval’, high above the valley. On a meandering trail downhill you reach Naturns.

High up you continue following the Rablander Waal path through forests, past Alpine mountain farms forever accompanied by stunning views of the Vinschgau valley. Follow Partschinser and Algunder Waal path down into the Meraner basin. Tired muscles get a chance to relax in the thermal spa.

On Marlinger Waal path, the longest Waal of South Tyrol you walk into the apple centre Lana. On your way enjoy lovely views on Merano and the Adige valley to Bolzano. Pass through light forests up to Tisens, well known for the sweet chestnuts. During the second half of this path many ancient fortresses are passed: Nalles with Stachelburg, Schwanburg and Payrsberg castle.

Walk past castles, raised stands and fortresses with great views of the Etschtal Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. A section of the path takes you along the ‘Three-Fortress-Route’ and continue via St. Michael through extensive vineyards until you reach the beautiful lake Kalterer See. In this beautiful valley you should taste a glass of "Kalterer See".

Day
09
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Apricots, grapes, chestnuts - fine delicacies and the best wines await you in sunny South Tyrol. The Waal trails take you to picturesque mountain villages, through forests and to the Three Castle Route. At the final destination, you'll jump into the Lake Caldaro.
Day
01
Arrival in Resia

First along Lake Resia reservoir and over to Graun, where you will find the best known camera motive of the Vinschau, 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.

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.

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.

Today you pass through the orchard of the Val Venosta Valley. Along the Latschander Waal path you walk through regions of the best South Tyrolean wines. Continue on the archaeological path which almost takes you to Messners castle ‘Juval’, high above the valley. On a meandering trail downhill you reach Naturno.

High up you continue following the Rablander Waal path 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 Meraner basin. Tired muscles get a chance to relax in the thermal spa.

On Marlinger Waal path, the longest Waal of South Tyrol you walk into the apple centre Lana. On your way enjoy lovely views on Merano and the Adige valley to Bolzano. Pass through light forests up to Tisens, well known for the sweet chestnuts. During the second half of this path many ancient fortresses are passed: Nalles with Stachelburg, Schwanburg and Payrsberg castle.

Walk past castles, raised stands and fortresses with great views of the Etschtal Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. A section of the path takes you along the ‘Three-Fortress-Route’ and continue via St. Michael through extensive vineyards until you reach the beautiful Lake Caldaro. In this beautiful valley you should taste a glass of "Kalterer See".

Day
09
Departure or extension

Route information

Walking

You walk mainly on good walking paths, often on the so called ‘Waal paths’, ancient water systems as well as on paved sections. The paths are easy to walk, the route is undulating through lovely countryside, dotted with orchards and vineyards. Longer ascents only occur on two of the days. We recommend a good basic fitness level for walking days of up to 6.5 hours. Shortcuts of daily sections are possible by train or coach.

Prices & Dates

Category: see description

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • 1 Half board (Schlanders)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher)
  • Return transfer by minibus from Lake Kalterer See to Reschen every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, costs EUR 75 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train to Landeck (North Tyrol) and by bus approx. 1,5 hours to Reschen. Or by train via Bolzano and Meran to Mals (South Tyrol) and by bus to Reschen in approx. 30 minutes.
  • Innsbruck or Munich airport.
  • Parking: Hotel parking € 10,- per day, no pre-booking. Free, unguarded parking near the hotel.
  • Return transfer from Meran by Vinschgau train in approx. 1.5 hrs. to Mals and from there approx. 30 min. to Reschen. From Lake Kalterer by bus/train in approx. 1 hr. to Merano then continue as described.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • 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
  • 1 Half board (Silandro)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer by minibus from Lake Caldaro to Resia every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, costs EUR 79 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train to Landeck (North Tyrol) and by bus approx. 1,5 hours to Resia. Or by train via Bolzano and Merano to Malles (South Tyrol) and by bus to Resia in approx. 30 minutes.
  • Innsbruck or Munich airport.
  • Parking: parking spaces available, approx. EUR 40 to EUR 70 per week, no reservation.
  • Return transfer from Merano by Vinschgau train in approx. 1.5 hrs. to Malles and from there approx. 30 min. to Resia. From Lake Caldaro by bus/train in approx. 1 hr. to Merano then continue as described.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • 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

Sarah Manglberger

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Sarah Manglberger
Travel Specialist
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