Hiking in South Tyrol

Hiking in South Tyrol offers more than 17000 km of paths all year round to the Reinhold Messner fans wishing to know his homeland better. In spring you can explore the valleys admiring the cherry trees in bloom, in summer you can climb up to 3000 meters to have lunch in the very well organized mountain refuges: while tasting a "country chopping board" you can feel on the world roof. Fall is the magic season, because the South Tyrolean woods colours are gold and red, while the sun is still warm… hiking in South Tyrol discovering the orchards full of ripe apples is simply fascinating!

The Chestnuts Path

One of the classic paths for hiking in South Tyrol is the "Chestnuts path" (Italian: Sentiero dei Castagni, German Ketschnweg), as this path is very easy and even. It´s located between Bressanone (German: Brixen, Ladin Porsenú) and Bolzano (German: Bozen, Ladin Bulsan) and the panorama is charming, dominated by the Odle massifs. Another attraction of the "Chestnuts path" are the farms in the surroundings. Here you can observe South Tyrolean country life and buy many fresh products, such as apples and pumpkins, as these farms are specialized in horticulture and fruit-farming.The Chestnuts Paths is so popular for hiking in South Tyrol also because of the Törggelen, the famous South Tyrolean fall festivals taking place between September and November. You can stop and have a taste of the South Tyroleand gastronomy "on the road"!

The castles

Another idea for hiking in South Tyrol are its famous castles, as this region of holidays in the mountains is rich in history and culture. The South Tyrolean castles are very well preserved and there are many legends around them. An example is the Tures castle, which has often been used as a movies set many times. Other castles which hiking in South Tyrol destinations aren: Castelfeder, in the lower part of South Tyrol  the Tures Castle (Italian: Castello di Tures, German Burg Taufers), in Valle Aurina, the Castelbello Castle (Italian: Castel Castelbello, German Schloss Kastelbell), the Lichtenberg Castle in Val Venosta (Italian: Castel Montechiaro, German Burgruine Lichtenberg), the Coira Castle in Sluderno, Val Venosta (Italian: Castel Coira, German Churburg), Castel Trostburg in Valle Isarco (Italian: Castel Forte, German: Schloss Trostburg), which hosts the "Castles Museum" (Italian: Museo dei Castelli, German: Burgeninstitut), Castel Presule (German: Schloss Prösels) on the Alpe di Siusi, Casteldarne (German: Schloss Ehrenburg) in Val Pusteria, Kastelzungen in Prissiano (German: Prissian), where the oldest vine in Europe grows. This vine is 3000 years old and the castle is a very popular locations for marriages.