Day 1

Arrival at Bressanone (Brixen)

Individual arrival at your hotel in Bressanone. If you arrive early in the day, you will have time to explore this thousand-year-old town with its colourful alleys, nice shops and traditional festivals. The pope has a summer residence in Bressanone for his yearly two week summer retreat. The surroundings of Bressanone are beautiful: the mountain slopes are covered with green vineyards and orchards.  It is certainly worth visiting the bishops palace and the 13th-14th century cathedral, inside which you can admire frescoes dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Day 2

Bressanone (Brixen) – Neustift – Klausen (Chiusa)

Leaving Bressanone you hike up to the Pfeffersberg, passing small hamlets and mountain farms on your way along the plateau. To the south you have a wonderful view of the Dolomites summits. You reach Feldthurns and carry on to the Säben convent, the Acropolis of South Tyrol. Cloistered Benedictine nuns live in this 17^th century convent and it is not open to the public. Your overnight stay is in Klausen (Chiusa) a picturesque village, which is often visited by painters and poets.  

Walking time: 5-6 hours (15 km) differences in altitude:560m

Day 3

Klausen - Ritten – Bolzano (Bozen) 

After a short transfer by bus to Barbian, you reach the Ritten, a wonderful plateau above the Eisack Valley with impressive views of the Dolomites and the Schlern (2461m a.s.l.).  You will pass the Earth Pyramids, a phenomenon created by erosion and ocurring above all in the places where Ice Age glaciers have deposited moraine silt in the valleys. A cable car will take you to Bolzano, a town surrounded by many castles. In the evening you will have time to visit this lively town which unites Italian and Austrian culture. Due to its position, Bolzano is because of its position also called the gate of the Dolomites. You can visit many placet of interest here, such as the cathedral, the 13th century Dominican church with a beautiful fresco by Michael Pacher (15th century) and a modern art museum.        

Walking time: 5-6 hours (19 km)  differences in altitude:550m

Day 4

Bolzano – omgeving van het Kalterer See (lago di Caldaro)

The sunny south of South Tyrol is awaiting you! Today you will discover the area around the most famous –and warmest- mountain lake of South Tyrol; Lake Kaltern (lago di Caldaro). This is a renowned wine-growing region, appreciated not only for its impressive vineyards, but also the numerous castles, manor houses, churches and farms. A must for every wine lover is a visit to the South Tyrolean wine museum in Kaltern, which gives an insight into the history of South Tyrolean wines.

Walking time: 5 hours (18km)  differences in altitude:550m

Day 5

Kalterer See (lago di Caldaro) - Tramin – Kalterer See

Today  you will follow a part of the Tyrolean wine route: a treat for every wine lover and connoisseur. Picturesque vineyards and charming landscapes are accompanying you on your way. The most famous wineries of the region and many of the well-known wine producers are found in this area. In Kurtatsch (Cortaccia), the home of the ‘Gewürztraminer’, we invite you to take a walk along the ‘wine nature trail’ to learn more about the interaction between wine, grapes and vines.  

Walking time: 6 hours (20 km)  differences in altitude:600m

Day 6

Kalterer See – Lana - Meran

After breakfast there is a transfer to Lana. Shortly after Lana the hiking route continues along the famous Marlinger Waals – the longest irrigation ditch in South Tyrol. These irrigation ditches known as ‘Waale’ were constructed hundreds of years ago to supply dry strips of land with water. Today these ditches make wonderful footpaths used for hiking and walking. The route continues below Tyrol Castle along the famous ‘Tappeiner Weg’ towards Meran. Empress Sissi knew how to appreciate the mild climate. Inviting centuries-old arbours and superb parks add to the completion of a perfect day.  

Walkingtime: 4 hours (20 km) / differences in altitude:500m

Day 7 

Departure after breakfast