Sun Lakes Mountains of South Tyrol: active vacations for families in Italy

Day 1: Arrival to Reschen

Welcome! Your travel documents will be waiting for you at the hotel.

Hike Reschen – Burgeis, approx. 16 km, 260 m ↑, 470 m ↓, ~ 6 h

You can hike leisurely along the glittering Reschen Lake and admire the former church tower in the dammed lake. Continue through St. Valentin, where you can make a detour to the Talaiwald adventure trail with treasure hunt.

Then you will continue walking along the Haidersee lake. Here you can watch the many ducks swimming in the lake from secluded spots. From the south end, you then continue hiking along the rippling Adige River to Burgeis.

Hike Burgeis – Schluderns, approx. 11 km, 100 m ↑, 450 m ↓, ~ 5 h

We start along the Sonnensteig, an exciting Waalweg trail on which you will discover a lot of interesting facts about the Vinschgau legends and will be amazed again and again by the fantastic views of the snow-covered mountain peaks. High above Mals along the Malser Oberwaal you hike further over the Tartscher Bichl to the “Ganglegg”.

Take a tour of the best researched Bronze and Iron Age hilltop settlement in the entire Alpine region. Finally, the route crosses imposing bridges and wooden footbridges over the gorge to the stage destination of Schluderns. There you can even marvel at all the finds from Ganglegg in the Vinschaug Museum.

With the Vinschgau Railway from Schluderns to Kastelbell
Hike to Naturno, approx. 11 km, 300 m ↑, 370 m ↓, ~ 5 h

You say goodbye to Schluderns with the wonderfully preserved Churgburg and start your day quite comfortably with a ride on the Vinschgau Railway through the colorful landscape of South Tyrol to Kastelbell.

From there you walk along the Schnalser Waalweg in the shade of the mixed forest via Kastelbell in the direction of Juval Castle, owned by probably the most famous mountaineer – Reinhold Messner. Of course there is some time for a guided tour of the castle. Afterwards, the route goes downhill via serpentines to Naturns.

Circular hike Naturno, travel time approx. 10 minutes, hike approx. 5 km, ~ 3 h

The cable car takes you up into the high mountains to the varied network of paths in the Texel Group Nature Park. Once at the top, you can start on a circular hike, complete the practice and family via ferrata or simply enjoy the view from the Unterstell viewing platform.

Would you rather take a day’s break from hiking? Then head to the fun park, or visit one of the many children’s playgrounds, or the adventure train station in Naturno, the only certified Alpine wellness resort in South Tyrol.

Hike Naturno – Parcines, approx. 9 km, 220 m ↑, 110 m ↓, ~ 5 h

A jump into the adventure pool Naturno with giant slide to cool down and continue your hiking trip. Up the castle path, from where you can once again enjoy the magnificent view of Naturno, you walk along the Sonnenberg panoramic path.

As the name promises, there are breathtaking views of extensive orchards on the valley floor and warming rays of sunshine on your face. Pleasantly adventurous, at the end of your stage you will cross a suspension bridge to Parcines, the gateway to the mountain massif of the impressive Texel Group, which is considered the largest nature park in South Tyrol.

Hike Parcines – Merano, approx. 11 km, 100 m ↑, 420 m ↓, ~ 4 h

You start happily along the mountain stream up to the Sagenweg, an exciting Waalweg, where you can learn a lot about the mystical legends of the Vinschgau Valley. Then your last hiking stage leads you through fragrant vineyards and apple orchards and along a varied forest path to the Algunder Waalweg.

You continue to follow the soothing ripple of the Waalweg through vineyards while enjoying the view over the entire Adige Valley. Above the city along the world famous Tappeiner Promenade, where even palm trees and cacti grow, you come to your destination of your hiking trip: the center of Merano.

Departure or extension

Today you are going back home – or do you want to stay longer in Merano, the city of culture with Mediterranean flair?