Hiking in South Tyrol

Find Your Hiking Trail in South Tyrol

South Tyrol is a province in northern Italy that borders Switzerland and Austria and has some of the best hiking in the world. The region is well-equipped with trails that are great for all levels, from easy walks to tough treks. This is also where you’ll find a part of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which are famous for their jutting, sharp peaks..

One of the best parts of hiking in South Tyrol is the region’s commitment to preserving its nature. The paths are well-marked and accessible, and you’ll be able to easily find information about almost every trek in the area.

South Tyrol has a great blend of Italian and Austrian influences, which you’ll discover show up in its culture, cuisine, and architecture. Along your hikes, you’ll find traditional Tyrolean villages, where you can see local customs and hospitality yourself. The region is also known for its cuisine, which combines Mediterranean flavors with Alpine traditions. Enjoying dishes like these isn’t a bad way to end a day of hiking!

Some of the best basecamps for hiking in South Tyrol are Bolzano, Alta Badia, Brixen, and Merano. Balzano will get you close to the Dolomites, Seiser Alm, and Val Gardena, while Alta Badia will have better access to the Sella Massif and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. Brixen is a historic town and is close to the Plose Mountain area, Villnöss Valley, and the Dolomites, and Merano is great for access to the Texel Group Nature Park.

Some of the best long-distance hikes in South Tyrol

The Alta Via di Merano is a hut-to-hut tour in the Texel Group Nature Park that takes about six days. The trail is meant for experienced hikers, although it’s a moderate trail without much technical difficulty. You’ll see the park in its entirety, as well as get to enjoy a “gourmet tour” of the mountain huts.

Another great, albeit difficult, trail in South Tyrol is the Ortler High Mountain Trail. This hike is 119 kilometers long and very strenuous. You’ll want to have a lot of alpine kilometers under your belt before you attempt this one! However, the views are unmatched. The trail will take you to some of the most beautiful areas in the Alps.

Finally, the Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail is a great option if you like history and learning about the environment. The trail has ten stages that run through South Tyrol and they are filled with educational plaques sharing information about the region you’re hiking through. While it is on the longer side, the trail is only moderately difficult, which means it’s accessible for most experienced hikers.

Accommodation and Transportation

There’s a wide range of accommodation options in South Tyrol since it’s such a large region. In towns and villages, you’ll find hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts. And if you’re looking for a more immersive mountain experience, staying in the mountain huts (rifugios), will be your best bet. These refugios are perfectly located along the more popular hiking trails, which makes for some of the most famous hut-to-hut tours in the world.

You’ll find that in South Tyrol, the transportation is very efficient, with a well-developed public transport system. Trains and buses connect major towns to trailheads, and if you get the Südtirol Guest Pass, you’ll have unlimited use of public transportation within the region so you can hop around. However, some remote trails may require private transfers or cable cars to reach the starting points.