The Meran High Mountain Road is one of the most beautiful high-Alpine circular hiking routes in Europe. At a length of 100 kilometres, it surrounds South Tyrol’s largest nature park, the Texel Group Nature Park, at an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres. There are constantly altitude differences to be overcome from 100 metres. The Texel Group is situated between the Italian-Austrian border, the Meran basin, the Passeier Valley and the Schnals Valley.
The Meran High Mountain Road is divided into a Northern and a Southern route. The northern part of the mountain road has its peak at the Eisjöchl, which is at an altitude of 2,895 metres. In the southern realm, you can reach an altitude of 1,839 metres above sea level at the Hochganghaus Hut.
Depending on your condition and the length of the stages you choose, it will take you between 3 and 8 days to cover the entire circular route. No fear! Along the way, there are numerous snack stations, pubs and Alpine huts, offering South Tyrolean delicacies and protection from the rain and storms. Please check out the opening times of the individual huts.
Lagunod is situated at the southern side – also called the sunny side. The route leads you along the southern slopes of the Texel Group. Enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of an impressive cultural landscape, particularly the Vinschgau region, as well as the Burgrave’s office and the Passeier Valley. In general it can be said that the southern part is recommended for trips from May to November. Some parts of the route are walkable all year round – depending on the weather conditions.
Places worth seeing along the Meran High Mountain road and the Texel Group Nature ParcThere are many places of natural beauty along the High Mountain Road waiting to be discovered. Enjoy the breath-taking views of the impressive Tschigat peak (2,998 metres), the Mutspitze (2,294 metres), as well as the Matatzspitze (2,179 metres). Another highlight is the Partschins waterfalls, which roars down from a height of 97 metres and is therefore one of the highest South Tyrolean waterfalls. In addition, there are the Sprons Lakes, the highest located Alpine lake area in South Tyrol with 10 mountain lakes at an altitude of 2,117 metres to 2,589 metres.
While walking, you will keep coming across mountain farmhouses, which are several hundred years old and have marked the Alpine landscape enormously. In the old days, farmhouses were built on higher ground due to insufficient space in the valley regions. You can imagine that cultivation at such an altitude was quite difficult – and still is today.
The Northern part of the High Mountain Road has a high-Alpine characteristicIt leads through the Pfossen and Pfelder Valleys. The Eisjöchl at an altitude of 2,895 metres is the highest point and divides the valleys from each other. Due to its high-Alpine character, the Northern part can only be accessed through the summer months, from June to September.
