South Tyrol Family Walking Tour

Welcome to Vinschgau! The steel-blue Lake Reschen and its famous tower that pokes out of the water will make you feel welcome. Not only kitesurfers and other water sport fanatics splash around in this very welcoming lake. Enjoy your first hours in this border triangle region in the sun and take in the view of the mountains before you start your walk through the lush green South Tyrol tomorrow.

You leisurely walk along the magnificently glistening Lake Reschen and you can admire the former church tower poking out the dammed lake. Continue through St. Valentin, where you can take a detour on the Talai forest exploratory path with a treasure hunt. Afterwards you keep on walking along Lake Haider. In doing so, you can observe lots of ducks swimming in the lake from secluded places. From the South side, you walk further along the rippling Adige river until you get to Burgeis.

Let’s go along the ‘Sonnensteig’, an exciting irrigation channel path where you can find out a lot about the VInschgau mythological world. You keep getting fantastic views of the snowy mountain tops. You walk high up above Mals along the ‘Malser Oberwaal’ and you will go via the Tartscher Bichl to “Ganglegg”. Have a look through the most researched cave settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages in the entire Alps. At the end of the day you cross impressive bridges and wooden steps over the gorge, which will bring you to today’s destination, Schluderns. Once there, it’s worth checking out the archeological finds from Ganglegg in the Vinschgau museum.

You start today with a journey on the Vinschgaubahn, which will take you through the colourful scenery in South Tyrol to Kastelbell. From there you walk on the Schnalser Waalweg in the shade thanks to the trees. You will go via Kastelbell towards Juval palace, which is owned by the one of the most famous mountaineers, Reinhold Messner. Of course you have time to go on a tour through the palace. Afterwards you walk uphill to Naturns via the windy path.

Ascend by cable car into the mountains and explore the Texelgruppe nature park. Once you arrive up top, you can go on a circular tour, do the practice and family high-ropes course or just simply enjoy the view from the ‘Unterstell’ viewing platform. Would you prefer to have a break from walking? Then head to the fun park or visit one of the play areas or a certified Alpine spa holiday centre in South Tyrol.

Jump into Naturns water park with giant slides. It is a great way to cool down before continuing with your walk. You will go along the ‘Schlossweg’ (palace path) from where you can enjoy another magnificent view, this time of Naturns. After this, you walk along the ‘Sonnenberger’ panoramic path. As the name suggests, you get breathtaking views over extensive orchards in the valley whilst the sun beats down on your face. Today finishes in a pleasantly adventurous manner via a suspension bridge to Partschins. This is the gateway to the Texelgruppe, which is South Tyrol’s largest nature park.

You start today in going along the ‘Bergbach’ up to the ‘Sagenweg’ (legend path), which is an exciting exploratory path where you can once again learn lots about Vinschgau’s mystical mythological world. After this, you walk through sweet-smelling apple orchards and vineyards along one of the diverse forest paths to the Algunder Waalweg. You follow the calming bubbling Waalweg past more vineyards and you can enjoy the view across the Adige valley. Above the town you walk along the world famous Tappeiner promenade where palm trees and cacti grow before arriving at today’s destination and the end of your walk - the centre of Merano.

Today it is time to go home - or do you want to stay for longer and explore Merano, a cultured city with a mediterranean flair?