It is no secret that some of the most popular hiking in Europe is in South Tyrol. Home to the Dolomites, this region is famous for its beautiful scenery, delicious food, and warm people. But you’re only on trail for half the day! The other half of the day is spent at your hotel, so it’s important to stay somewhere that makes your hiking holiday special. So, these are some of the best hotels for hiking in the Dolomites and beyond.
When you finish a long day of hiking in the Dolomites, you want to come back to a warm, cozy, and relaxing place to enjoy the rest of your holiday. This means somewhere with all the amenities of a great hotel: delicious food, kind staff, and an ambiance created for hikers. The hotels below are all Wanderhotels, which means they’re certified as some of the top hotels for hikers that are near the trails. Golserhof and Berghotel Sexten are also Vitaplina hotels, which means they’re certified as high-quality, South Tyrolean stays.
Editor
Katie Mitchell
After a whirlwind 10 years on the road (and trail!), Katie has hiked the Camino Frances, the Peaks of the Balkans, the Fisherman’s Trail, the Cumbria Way, the Pembrokeshire Way, and more in Europe and the United States. She is an avid trail runner and you can find her either on the trail or in a cafe in a new city, sampling all of their gluten-free treats. You can follow her adventures on Instagram.
Leitlof is a luxurious spa and hiking hotel just outside San Candido. Its minimalist decor, elegant materials, and elevated cuisine will make you fall in love with the establishment and make it hard to leave for your daily hikes! But when you come back, you will be greeted by a kind staff and a fantastic snack hour from 3 to 5 p.m., with food repurposed from dinner the night before.
The meals themselves are exquisite. You’ll sit down to a multi-course meal every evening, with produce from their gardens and meat sourced from their farm. The dishes are catered to your preferences, and they will happily and creatively accommodate any dietary restrictions. The meals are healthy, delicious, and the portions are generous, so you should come to dinner with an appetite.
The Leitlhof spa feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well. With a separate adults-only spa and family-friendly spa, there are options for every group. The adult-only space is so peaceful that it’s almost too easy to lose track of time in the pinewood and rock-lined space. There are three wood saunas of different temperatures, an onsen, steambath, whirlpool, dedicated quiet lounge, and daily treatments and wellness activities offered. In the family-friendly area, there is an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a whirlpool, and a sauna available. Everywhere you look, there are healthy refreshments and unique drinks to stay hydrated while you pamper yourself.
When you’re finally ready to leave the hotel to go for a hike, there are many options right outside the door. One of the best long-distance hikes that’s in the region is the UNESCO Dolomites Geotrail, a ten-day hut-to-hut tour where you see the Dolomites in all of their unique glory. And after sleeping in huts for ten days, Leitlhof will be a welcome comfort. There are also plenty of day hikes in the area that you can enjoy while staying there.
Finally, Leitlhof’s biggest claim to fame is their sustainability. The hotel is one of the most sustainable hotels in Europe, generating its electricity from its own wood, making it carbon-neutral. They also raise their own Angus cattle and grow produce on their farms for the restaurant. Leitlhof has won quite a few sustainability awards, the most recent of which being “Europe’s Leading Green Hotel” at the World Travel Awards. They are also GSTC certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Best small boutique hotel: Golserhof
If you’re looking for a more personal experience, Golserhof is one of the best boutique hiking hotels in South Tyrol. The hotel has only 30 rooms, and you will come to know the staff and owners throughout your stay. The owners, Patrick and Hiltrud, are involved in daily operations, which makes it feel like a really special experience.
Golserhof is in the Meran region, where you will be hiking near the Texel Mountains. This is fantastic if you want to explore more of the region than just the Dolomites. The peaks are alpine and rugged, with over 600km of hiking options for all levels. One of the owners, Patrick, contributes to the hiking culture at Golserhof with customized hiking maps with trails right from the hotel. They correspond with the hotel’s Komoot collections and have average times and difficulty levels based on previous guests’ experiences. One of the most famous long-distance hikes in the area is the Meraner Höhenweg, which starts very close to the hotel. Golserhof is perfectly located in the hillside village of Tirol, where you can practically walk to the trailheads.
The hotel itself is very comfortable and beautiful. The rooms are generous sizes, including balconies with mountain views, plus even a few books if you want to read about the region. The spa has multiple saunas, an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor pool, multiple rooftop whirlpools, and a steam bath. The fitness center is well-stocked, and there are even yoga classes offered a few times a week. You can also sign up for guided hiking and mountain biking tours, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and many other offerings.
Finally, the food. It’s not a hiking trip without working up an appetite! The meals offered at Golserhof are delicious. The produce is typically locally sourced, with some of the fruit and wine even come from their own orchards and vineyards. Patrick is very well versed in the cheese varieties they serve, also all local, and will be happy to tell you about the many options you have. Each evening is a new menu, and if you’re lucky, you will be there on a day when they offer a dessert buffet – such a great treat!
Most family-friendly hotel: Berghotel Sexten
The most family-friendly hotel, and perhaps the hotel with the best location of the three, is Berghotel Sexten. Berghotel is a great choice if you have a large group or small children with you and you’re looking for the best access to the Dolomites. This hotel has multiple pools with views of the peaks, delicious food with generous buffets, and an eclectic decor that will make it a memorable and enjoyable holiday.
The Berghotel is slightly larger than the other two, with many activities offered throughout the week and plenty to explore within the hotel alone. There’s an adult-only spa, as well as a large family-friendly spa offering. Within the adult-only spa, there are multiple saunas, a steam bath, and a quiet lounge with a footbath. In the family-friendly area, you’ll find a sauna, outdoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, indoor pool, and large lounge area.
The meals are generous, with a salad and antipasto buffet spanning multiple rooms in addition to the regular 3-4 course menu. There is also a 3 pm cake hour, where there are 5+ cakes to choose from for an afternoon pick-me-up after a day of hiking. The portions are generous, and they are comfortable accommodating different dietary needs.
The hiking in the area can’t get any better. At the feet of the Dolomites, you can easily access the popular 3-peak circuit (Tre Cime di Lavardo), or even just hike up to one of the many mountain huts for a snack to experience the Dolomites on a day hike. We highly recommend visiting in the fall as well; timing it around the changing colors makes for a very memorable experience. Plus, South Tyrol usually experiences 300 days of sunshine a year, so you should have good weather (but be sure to check ahead of time!).
These three hotels are sure to guarantee you have a wonderful time during your visit to South Tyrol. Comfort, good food, and beauty are non-negotiables on a holiday like this. And when you’re also staying with people who also love nature and hiking, you know you’re in for a good trip.
Most sustainable hotel: Naturhotel Leitlhof
The Leitlhof spa feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well. With a separate adults-only spa and family-friendly spa, there are options for every group. The adult-only space is so peaceful that it’s almost too easy to lose track of time in the pinewood and rock-lined space. There are three wood saunas of different temperatures, an onsen, steambath, whirlpool, dedicated quiet lounge, and daily treatments and wellness activities offered. In the family-friendly area, there is an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a whirlpool, and a sauna available. Everywhere you look, there are healthy refreshments and unique drinks to stay hydrated while you pamper yourself.
Best small boutique hotel: Golserhof
The hotel itself is very comfortable and beautiful. The rooms are generous sizes, including balconies with mountain views, plus even a few books if you want to read about the region. The spa has multiple saunas, an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor pool, multiple rooftop whirlpools, and a steam bath. The fitness center is well-stocked, and there are even yoga classes offered a few times a week. You can also sign up for guided hiking and mountain biking tours, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and many other offerings.
Most family-friendly hotel: Berghotel Sexten