Our hiking tips

The Knottnkino (Rock Cinema) is the work of artist Franz Messner, who hails from Renon. The Knottnkino sits atop a red porphyry rock formation, Rotstein Knott Mountain, which is located in Vöran/Verano on 1,457 metres. The lookout point, outfitted with thirty cinema seats made of...

The Knottnkino (Rock Cinema) is the work of artist Franz Messner, who hails from Renon. The Knottnkino sits atop a red porphyry rock formation, Rotstein Knott Mountain, which is located in Vöran/Verano on 1,457 metres.

The lookout point, outfitted with thirty cinema seats made of steel and chestnut wood, is a wonderful place for hikers to take a seat, unwind, and enjoy a unique experience: nature as cinema. The site overlooks the whole of the Adige Valley so visitors enjoy stunning views that encompass the Texel Group Nature Park, Mount Penegal, and even Corno Bianco/Weißhorn Mountain farther afield.

In the local German dialect spoken in South Tyrol, Knottn means ‘rock’. Millions of years ago, when lava and falling ash formed the Tschögglberg Mountain Plateau, these round, wine-red knolls also came into being. These rock formations are unparalleled in South Tyrol. In Verano, there are three: Rotstein, Beimstein and Unterstein Knott.

NEW: The newly-opened Knottnkino³ circuit trail conects the three red porphyry rocks of Vöran/Verano. Starting from the Burgstall-Vöran upper cableway station, the trail leads to the three panoramic landmarks of Verano: the Rotstein, Beimstein and Timpfler Knott.

There are 2 possibilities:

Our tip: drive for approx. 10 minutes, by car, to the Stübele parking lot and take path no.14 (Schützenbründlweg). Approx. 1 hour-walk to the Knottnkino with no meters in altitude to make, just a small ascent at the end. Way back: Via the Leadner Alm, (No. 16), otherwise You can also take the same way for Yor return journey.
Directly from the hotel: Walk out the driveway, go straight ahead across the street and take path no.15 towards the waterfall. Arrived there, You walk down to the Messnerwirt, take path no. 12, go past the Alpenrose and follow the signs “Knottnkino”. Duration: approx. 4 hours

This moderately difficult hike is rewarded with beautiful panoramic views. To round off the day perfectly, you can take the Alpine Bob 2000 at the mountain station.

From the mountain station walk to the Piffinger Köpfl, from where an overwhelming panorama can be experienced: the peaks of the Dolomites, Brenta, Ortler group, Texel group are waiting to be admired. Follow the signs for Waidmann hut and trail no. 18. After a short stretch of trail, you come to a crossroads and turn right, staying on trail no. 18A. It leads through a dense forest and crosses a stream. The path is comfortable, only slightly uphill.

You leave the forest behind and catch sight of the Ifinger massif on your left. You cannot see the actual summit, it is a little behind it. After a good 45 minutes you reach the Kuhleitengröben. Here you cross a small stream again and walk a little steeper uphill for a short while. You are now in the heart of the Merano 2000 area (www.meran-2000.it). In winter people are skiing here, in the warm season hikers set the tone. The view of the Dolomites is particularly impressive in the
early evening hours. After a short ascent you already reach the Waidmann hut (2,040 m).

Here you can take a break and fortify yourself. There is plenty of space for the children to play and romp around. For the way back, choose either the same route or the slightly longer, upper trail no. 3, which first climbs to the lift station (not in
operation during the hiking months) and then runs parallel to the outward route.

At Piffinger Köpfl you will find the “Alpin Bob” the longest rail sledge run in Italy (www.hafling-meran2000.eu). Have a good ride!

The Wurzer hut is nestled between meadows and forests above Avelengo at an altitude of 1,707 metres above sea level. The alpine hut is one of those in Avelengo that are not in the skiing and hiking area of Merano 2000, but further north, just below the magnificent mountain ridge....

The Wurzer hut is nestled between meadows and forests above Avelengo at an altitude of 1,707 metres above sea level. The alpine hut is one of those in Avelengo that are not in the skiing and hiking area of Merano 2000, but further north, just below the magnificent mountain ridge.

A visit to the picturesque Wurzer hut is especially nice for families with children: delicious food, a playground and feeding the animals are the order of the day.

Directly from the hotel: Walk past the entry, cross the streetand tak the path nr. 15 towards the waterfall. Then take the path nr. 2 towards the Wurzer hut. About 2 hours of walk.

Note: A little steeper and shorter is the path nr. 1 (walking time: about 1h)

The Stoanernen Mandln are a unique hiking destination in the Sarntal Alps near Avelengo, Verano & Merano 2000. Over one hundred mysterious stone figures are lined up on a hilltop at 2000 m above sea level. To this day, it has not been clearly proven how the figures came into ...

The Stoanernen Mandln are a unique hiking destination in the Sarntal Alps near Avelengo, Verano & Merano 2000. Over one hundred mysterious stone figures are lined up on a hilltop at 2000 m above sea level. To this day, it has not been clearly proven how the figures came into being. This is a legendary place of power with an unparalleled view of the surrounding mountains.

Our tip: The sunrise hike.

There are 2 possibilities:

Our tip:

drive by car to Verano, to the Schermoos car park. From there, You walk about 500 meters upwards for approx. 2.5 hours. Take the E5 to Möltner Kasr, then path 23, up to the Stoarnen Mandlen.

Alternative:

Take the car to the Merano 2000 car park. From there, take the cable car to the Merano 2000 mountain station. This hike takes a little longer and is almost a day trip: It takes about 3.5 hours there and 3.5 hours back. Arrived at the mountain station, walk towards Meraner Hütte and then take the European hiking trail E5, past Kreuzjöchl and Kreuzjoch and soon afterwards, you will reach the men of stone- Stoanerne Mandlen.

At an elevation of 2,581 m, the Ifinger is Schenna/Scena local mountain. The peak offers a fantastic panorama. Plenty of mountain experience, sure-footedness, a good head for heights, and via ferrata equipment are required as the ascent to the peak includes a via ferrata.

Starting from the mountain station at Meran 2000, hiking trail no. 3 passes the Waidmannalm Mountain Hut and continues up to the little St. Oswald Church (2,200 m). Continue via the Oswald gap to the Kuhleitenhütte Mountain Hut at 2,363 m.

Reach the little Ifinger peak (2,552 m) by following trail no. 19. Fantastic views can already be enjoyed at this point where the via ferrata to the Großer Ifinger peak begins. These rocky passages are only for sure-footed hikers with a good head for heights. Return by the same route.

A beautiful loop walk up, on a “hill”, which enables a breathtaking 360° view. In the Northwest the Ifingier, in the West the Ortlers and in the Southeast the Rosengarten. This path is comfortable to walk, because there are only few uphill parts along the path, you ha...

A beautiful loop walk up, on a “hill”, which enables a breathtaking 360° view. In the Northwest the Ifingier, in the West the Ortlers and in the Southeast the Rosengarten. This path is comfortable to walk, because there are only few uphill parts along the path, you have the possibility to enjoy traditional food and drinks in one of the many huts.

From Falzeben, follow the path nr.51 which leads slightly downhill to the Sinnichbach and traverse it. Shortly after, the path turns right and now you reach the uphill part of the walk: through the wood upwards to the wide glade, where the Moschwald hut (the first mountain hut) is.

From there, follow the mark nr.15 to the Maiser hut (the second hut) and the path that leads in serpentines up to the Passo della Croce (Kreuzjöchl) with the cross and a bench. Now, follow the European long-distance path E5 to the mountain range of the Spieler on the right hand.

The Merano hut is a little under the peak, but visible from the Spieler. Follow the path downhill to the hut and stay on the left side of the path, following mark nr. 13A which turns to nr. 17 a little below. Stay on this path, until you reach the Moschwald hut.

From there, take the same way back, you used for the ascent, until you reach your starting point.

Waalwege are paths along the ancient irrigation channels. The Algunder Waalweg path is a two-part, about 6 km long hike, which leads along a historical irrigation canal. The canal trail is almost flat. It is therefore ideal for older people or families with children. Hikers, yo...

The western part begins at the car park in front of the Töllgraben bridge. The starting point can be reached by public bus Lagundo- Parcines or by private car. The canal trail leads via the two districts of Lagundo, Plars di Sopra and Plars di Mezzo, to the scenically located Lagundo village. From here continue through beautiful vineyards to the Merano district of Quarazze and the small St Magdalena Church. Depending on how much you want to hike, you can continue on the Tappeinerweg trail into the centre of Merano or back to Lagundo.

Franz Tappeiner, a doctor and medical researcher from Val Venosta who was a passionate proponent of tourism in Merano, created the Tappeinerweg trail and donated it to the city. The four-kilometre-long path splits off from the Gilf Promenade and follows the curve of Monte Benedet...

In addition to typical local vegetation, we can even find exotic plants.

There are numerous access points from the town centre:
• the steps leading up from behind the Duomo (main cathedral) along the road that leads to Dorf Tyrol
• from Via Galilei near the chairlift to Dorf Tyrol
• near the Silvana hill on Via Verdi
• from the Gilf-Promenade past the Gunppowder Tower
• on the orographic right side of the Ponte Romano

Centuries ago, farmers created canals to irrigate the orchards and vineyards along the Val d’Adige. Today, the Waalweg trails leading along the centuries-old waterways offer easy walks for everyone.

Start and end is the Naif valley station in Merano. From the Mirabell, drive about 15 minutes by car to the valley station. There you cross the road and the irrigation channel pathway begins directly opposite the large car park.

The way there and back are the same.

Experience the fascination of climbing and mountaineering on holiday in Avelengo and the surrounding area. The 550-metre climb, which is perfectly secured with 1000 metres of steel rope, has medium difficulty levels and is therefore also suitable for the less strong alpinist or...

Ascent

The 550-metre ascent, which is perfectly secured with 1000 metres of steel rope, has medium difficulty levels (A – B – B/C). For the ascent of the via ferrata, an early start and a good overall condition are basic requirements. There is no water and no escape routes along the ascent. A possible retreat is only possible downwards. The via ferrata is completely secured with steel ropes, there are no passages that have to be mastered in free climbing or in unsecured terrain. Many steep and difficult sections have been defused by means of step aids. Nevertheless, the last part of the via ferrata, the so-called Engelskante, is a very impressive rock passage. The orientation of the ascent to the southwest allows for a very early ascent of the via ferrata. The climbing season lasts well into late autumn. For the experienced mountaineers, the Heini Holzer via ferrata will also be passable during many winter months. (Time required: 3-4 hours)

Access

Meran – Naiftal. Ascend with the cable railway Meran 2000 to the top station, which can also be reached from Hafling – Falzeben with the gondola lift. Follow the wide road for a short distance to the junction with the sign for the via ferrata. Then turn left on the trail no. 18 (Ifinger Schartlweg – partially secured with steel rope). Proceed past two turnoffs to the signposted branch-off to the start, just below the easily recognizable platform (rope-up area).(130 m ascent, 75 m descent, ¾-1 hour)
Schenna – Taser cable car valley station. Ascend with the car. Proceed via the signs for the Ifinger Hut to the Ifinger notch and from there follow the Ifinger Schartlweg no. 18 (partially secured with steel rope) to the marked branch-off below the platform. (700 m ascent, 200 m descent, 2½-3 hours)
Gsteier (middle station of the cable railway Meran 2000 – a short ascent to Gsteier). Follow the route no. 3 to the Ochsenboden. Continue to the Ifinger Schartlweg (no. 18 – partly secured with steel rope). From there turn left to the signposted branch-off to the start, just below the easily recognizable platform.(850 m ascent, 3-3½ hours)

Descent

After leaving the via ferrata, follow the signs to the junction for Piccolo Ivigna (2552 m) and Picco Ivigna (2581 m). From this point, the descent to the clearly visible Kuhleiten Hut begins. If you are late or do not want to stop at the hut, you can follow a path to the right just before Kuhleiten, which winds its way along the grassy flank, down to the wide gravel road and back to the starting point. (500 m altitude difference in descent, 1-1½ hours)

Mirabell – Knottnkino

From the Piffinger Köpfl to the Waidmann Alm

Mirabell – to the Wurzer Hut

Mirabell – Men of Stone

Mirabell – to the Ifinger Peak

Mirabell – From Flazeben to the Peak Spieler

Irrigation channel pathway Algund

Tappeinerweg Trail

Mirabell- Along the Waalweg Path of Scena – Hiking along the ancient irrigation channels

Via ferrata “Heini Holzer” Ifinger