At the heart of the mountains: our hiking hotel in Merano and Environs

Mt Cima della Muta/Mutspitze may be one of the most popular peaks in the Tessa/Texel Group, but South Tyrol’s largest nature park has many more treasures to reveal. And then there’s the wonderfully varied Hirzer region and the fascinating Sarentino/Sarntal Alps, which are just a short distance from Kröll. Whether you venture into the Alpine world of the Merano high mountain trail, climb up to the Sopranes/Spronser Seen lakes, conquer Mt Picco Ivigna/Ifinger, or refresh yourself at the impressive Partschins waterfall: our hiking hotel in Schenna is the perfect home base for all your discovery tours. Taking #realtime for all the things you love doesn’t necessarily mean you have to head up high. On the numerous Waalweg trails in Merano and Environs – ancient irrigation channels through fruit orchards and forests – you can take a relaxed stroll through rural South Tyrol.

#realtime on the mountain: your hiking hotel in Schenna

Set off directly from your hiking hotel near Merano

You pack the day’s provisions in your rucksack, tighten the laces of your hiking boots again, and set off – directly on foot from your hiking hotel in Schenna or by bus to the starting point of your chosen tour. And because secret tips make hiking even more exciting, we’re sharing 5 of our favourite routes with you here.

Oberkirn – Prenn – Untertall

Just above Oberkirn, a gentle path leads you through meadows to Prenn – and as soon as you see the pretty church and the sleepy little village, you’ll know: it’s the perfect place to pause. Breathe deep. Look around. Savour the moment. Past the Alpenblick restaurant, the path (marker 6) first winds through lush meadows before taking you into the airy forest. The sunbeams dance through the treetops as you make your leisurely way to the farms in Untertall. The path leads past the Untermeinlechner traditional inn to the impressive Masulschlucht gorge (marker 20) and then on to Verdins. A hike that feels like a genuine encounter with the real South Tyrol.

Walking time: 3 hours

Oberer Waalweg trail

Turn right above the school and Café Ifinger and you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the special magic of the Waalweg trails. Crossing Via Ifinger, you reach the Taser cable car at Restaurant Café Pichler. The lovely Waalweg trail leads you southwards to the romantic “Katzenleiter” (cat’s ladder) – an intriguing name, don’t you think? Then you continue on to Brunjaunhof. The best part? The view of Merano that accompanies you every step of the way, like an old friend walking silently by your side. Above St. Georgen, the path then gently descends again to Schenna.

Walking time: 2 hours

Taser – Schnugger – Zmailer – Schenna

Take the cable car from Schenna to Taser. You then reach the Schnugger restaurant via the access road, from where a pleasantly shaded forest path leads you to the Zmailerhof. You know those moments when the trees cocoon you in shade and the forest air smells so fresh that you just have to take a deep breath? First across the meadow, then down through the forest to Rastlhof and back to Schenna. A hike that combines everything you love about South Tyrol: mountain air, forest paths, and real peace and quiet.

Walking time: 2 ¾ hours

Mais Waalweg trail

At the Schennerhof, you turn onto Via Katnau and Via Leiter, which leads you past the Innerleiterhof to the Mais Waalweg trail, slightly above Bistro Ofenbaur. And after that? It gets wonderfully leisurely. Heading in a northerly direction and always on level ground, you make your way via the Schnuggenbach river to the Petaunerhof. You then continue onto Via Riffiano, which brings you back to Schenna. You won’t be able to resist stopping a few times along the way to soak up the view and think: “That’s exactly what I came here for.”

Walking time: 2 hours

Alpine pasture hike in the Hirzer region

From the Klammeben mountain station of the Hirzer cable car, a level path (marker 1 – E5) leads you past the Hirzer hut to the Hintereggalm and Mahdalm pastures. The mountain air smells of freedom, of summer, of #realtime. Just behind it, you head slightly uphill to Rotmoos. From this sprawling Alpine pasture, the trail (marker 2) leads you back to Klammeben via the Tallneralm. Our tip: plan this hike for the end of June or beginning of July, when the Alpine roses are in full bloom, transforming the landscape into a sea of bright-pink blossoms.

Walking time: 3 hours