Hiking in South Tyrol: A Land Born to Lift Your Wandering Spirit

NEVER. STOP. EXPLORING. Three words that, for most, are nothing more than a catchy slogan, but for those of us wired a little differently, they’re gospel. And there’s no better way to heed this call than by hiking in South Tyrol.

If you’re an explorer at heart, you’ll find few places as inspiring as South Tyrol (also known as Alto Adige and Südtirol). This remote gem in northern Italy seems handcrafted to elevate the soul of every wanderer, inviting you to lose yourself in its boundless beauty. With its medley of Alpine and Mediterranean climates, your wanderlusting ways will be amplified by hiking among a vastly diverse playground unlike anywhere else on Earth. Every step. Every sight. Lures you deeper, keeping you on the edge of discovery.

In South Tyrol, the mountains don’t call — they demand. Thanks to the region’s world-class lift systems, you can leap straight into a world of peaks, ancient valleys, and fairytale forests. Some days, you’ll be burning out the soles of your boots on a tough climb. Other days? Just let the views wash over you as you coast along an easy-going trail.

Feeling a bit more daring? Hop on a mountain bike and race through medieval wine villages that cling to the hills like they’ve been there since the dawn of time. Or grab a Hugo cocktail at a trailside hit just watch the world turn.

But that’s just the tip of the mountain peak so to speak. Below we highlight a few of our favorite South Tyrol hiking outings to give you a taste of the adventure waiting for you.

👉 By the way, if this post makes you want to lace up your hiking boots, be sure to browse our Exploring the Dolomites page for more enticing adventures.

⇒ Plan Your Visit: Grab our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide

Trails with Soul: Hiking South Tyrol’s Waalwegs

South Tyrol provides a one-of-a-kind hiking experience along ancient irrigation channels called Waalwegs. Waalweg what? Don’t let the name scare you off. The name translates to irrigation path. These casual hiking trails ascend easily and wind through miles of meadows, forests, vineyards and orchards.

They follow water channels carved long ago to usher melting snowpacks down the mountainsides. Along the way, you can enjoy stunning castles, villages, churches and wayside shrines up close and from afar. The paths ramble along next to flowing Alpine water offering the soothing gurgle of a stream with each step. 

Regardless of age or hiking skill level, you can walk or even jog along these gently sloping trails. The strikingly diverse landscapes they cover will leave you awestruck.

Cafes and mountain huts well placed along the paths serve as resting spots to grab a crisp refreshment, and an ample helping of tasty pasta or an authentic Tyrolean dish. The views from these wayside haunts are enough to keep your feet and gaze firmly planted.

A couple of the most scenic and popular Waalwegs to add to your trip plans are the Lagundo/Algunder and the Marlinger/Marlengo near Merano. The Marlengo Waalweg follows the longest irrigation channel in the area and gives you ample views of the Etschtal Valley and Lebenberg Castle.

The Algunder route is exceptionally suited for families with young children or older adults, but no matter your age you’ll find it fascinating. Along this Waalweg you’ll get to visit Tyrol Castle, Thurnstein Castle and Brunnenburg Castle, as well as endlessly capture them from many photo-worthy angles. Hiking here, you may just wonder if you wandered into Westeros. That’s Game of Thrones speak for the uninformed. 

A Palm-Drenched Promenade

The Tappeiner Promenade (Tappeinerweg) above Merano is a meander’s dream. Mediterranean beauty abounds all around this delightful trail. Countless palm trees, eucalyptus, cacti, agave, olive trees and other flora follow the promenade from beginning to end. It is one of Italy’s best walks.

As you stroll along ever more breathtaking panoramas of Merano come into view. You also get an opportunity to dazzle your nose by exploring a fragrant herb garden featuring over 230 plants, as well as climb the Powder Tower (Pulverturm) where you can imagine what it was like centuries ago to defend this corner of paradise.  

The Tappeiner Promenade connects with several other walks and eventually winds its way into the village of Dorf Tirol. But you can also take a side trail down to the old town center of Merano where you can relax along the Passer River.

Several cafes dot the river making it an ideal place to sit back and enjoy a gelato or a refreshing beverage. Kate’s favorite to sip here is the Veneziano, a fusion of prosecco wine, Campari liqueur and sparkling water while Vin likes to cool off with a frosty beer from FORST, a local brewer in nearby Algund.

⇒ READ MORE: Discover the Most Enchanting Walk in Italy

Explore the Heart of the Dolomites

The Alpe di Siusi, or Seiser Alm as it is also known, in the Dolomites holds the largest mountain plateau in Europe. It is immense in every sense of the word. The moment you arrive at the top of the plateau your mouth will drop. Our first time here was heart-pounding spectacular. Nothing prepared us for the sprawling greenery and mountain views that unfurled before our eyes. 

Bursting with hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoe trails of various levels of difficulty, Alpe di Siusi offers hundreds of miles of trail crisis crossing more than 34 square miles. From the plateau, you’ll admire jutting Dolomite mountain peaks, ancient pastures and farms, cozy mountain huts and around 790 species of plants in the spring and summer. 

Getting to this Alpine wonderland is easy thanks to South Tyrol’s swift lift system. Once at the top, all ages and skill levels can enjoy the prairie no matter the season you choose to visit. See our step-by-step guide to hiking Alpe di Siusi.

An Alpe di Siusi hike that winds through South Tyrol’s ancient history is to the “Witches’ Benches”. It brings you to a mystical rock formation that has spawned tales of curses and witches going back to the Dark Ages.

As much as we love hiking, sometimes nothing beats a bike ride. There is perhaps no better way to explore the heart of the Dolomites than by mountain bike. And the Alpe di Siusi is as bike-friendly as they come.

You can pedal through more than 600 miles of bike trails at various altitudes — spanning from easy to technically challenging. Several tour packages are available from outfitters where you can choose from short rides of a couple of hours to rides over several days.

To the east of Alpe di Siusi rises another hiker’s paradise in Val Gardena: Seceda mountain. Hiking to its mammoth spear-tip peaks is a thrill every mountain lover should experience.

The hike can be as easy or challenging as you wish. We recommend taking the lifts from Ortisei to the summit and then hiking back down to the Church of  St. Jakob — a medieval masterpiece that is the oldest church in Val Gardena. Our post about hiking Seceda gives you a step-by-step guide to an unforgettable day roaming this icon of the Dolomites.

Pristine Alpine lakes sit patiently waiting for admirers throughout the Dolomites. The most popular is the famous Lago di Braies. For good reason. It is one of the most striking natural gems in the world.

⇒ Plan Your Visit: Grab our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide

But in the age of over-tourism, exploring Lago di Braies must be done right in order to get the most out of a visit. Our guide to The Pearl of the Dolomites walks through how to enjoy your time perfectly lost in the luster of the lake’s blue-green aura.

By the way, if you are interested in war history, another hike in the Dolomites to consider is in nearby Trento to the Pordoi Pass where there is a German war memorial. It’s hard to believe, but the steep, crags of the Dolomites saw some of the most horrific fighting in World War I. Hiking at these heights will give you a profound respect for the hardships too many soldiers had to needlessly suffer.

Another valley you should not miss while hiking in South Tyrol is Val di Funes. It lies just to the north of Val Gardena and possesses Alpine scenery torn from the pages of a fairytale.

We provide a detailed Val di Funes itinerary to help you explore the top sights of this treasured valley of the Dolomites. The alluring landscapes you encounter here will detoxify your mind, body and soul.

Of course, no article about hiking in the Dolomites would be complete without highlighting its most iconic peaks: Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The official symbol of the mountain range, Tre Cime di Lavaredo (also known as Drei Zinnen) is a world unto itself.

If you only have time to hike in one destination in the Dolomites, make it Tre Cime. You will encounter more jaw-dropping peaks than anywhere else in Europe. Our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide includes a detailed guide to visiting this Alpine wonderland.

Begin Planning Your South Tyrol Hiking Adventure

If there’s one thing South Tyrol never runs short of, it’s adventure. And it certainly won’t leave you wanting for wine, apples, speck, pasta, or beer either.

Set out on these iconic trails or dive into the endless hikes and bike routes crisscrossing this stunning landscape, and you’ll find each experience strengthens your bond with a land born for wandering spirits like us.

⇒ Plan Your Visit: Grab our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide

It’s worth keeping in mind, South Tyrol makes an ideal addition to any trip in this corner of Europe. Whether you’re seeking natural beauty after exploring Venice or longing for more alpine trails after conquering the Tour du Mont Blanc, you can reach the region easily by car, train or bus.

Whether you intend on a quick visit or an extended stay, we developed Throne & Vine to make planning your escape to this hidden gem as seamless as possible. However, if you’d prefer us to handle every detail for you, simply visit our Travel Services page. We’d be delighted to craft an unforgettable itinerary tailored to your tastes, so all you have to do is arrive and enjoy the wonders of South Tyrol and the Dolomites.