In a nutshell
- Hiking is simply part of any vacation in South Tyrol — the region is made up of high mountain ranges broken up by beautiful valleys, so the trails are seriously impressive.
- We start with the most beautiful and best-known hiking areas in South Tyrol — including the Three Peaks and the Seiser Alm — so you know exactly which highlights to prioritize.
- Then we share 5 under-the-radar hikes that are genuine local favorites — covering every skill level, from easy walks to serious summit challenges.
- Finally, you’ll get practical hiking tips for South Tyrol: the best time to visit, what to pack, and how to stay safe on the trails.
The 5 Most Beautiful Places to Hike in South Tyrol
First, we’ll introduce you to five hiking areas in South Tyrol where you can enjoy wonderful hikes.
Hiking on the Seiser Alm
The Seiser Alm (“Alpe di Siusi” in Italian) is the largest alpine meadow in Europe and one of the most beautiful attractions in South Tyrol. It’s a dream destination for hiking in South Tyrol, with a huge range of challenging and easy trails to choose from.
A day trip to the Seiser Alm is a great option. To get there, take the cable car from Seis or St. Ulrich.
It’s also worth spending the night up on the Seiser Alm — there’s genuinely a lot to see, and you have several hotels to pick from.
Our hiking tip: From the Seiser Alm to Tieser Alps
Our hotel tip: Hotel Schmung
Hiking near the Three Peaks
The Three Peaks (“Tre Cime di Lavaredo” in Italian) are an impressive mountain massif in the Dolomites and a seriously fantastic photo subject. But the hiking here is just as good — the loop trail around the Three Peaks is especially popular.
There are also plenty of other trails that are far less crowded. For example, you can start in the Fischleintal valley and hike up to the Three Peaks from there.
Very close by, you’ll also find beautiful lakes like Lake Toblach and Lago di Misurina, which make for lovely walks in their own right.
Our hiking tip: Loop trail around the Three Peaks
Read our tips for the Three Peaks too:
Hiking in the Rosengarten
The Rosengarten massif (“Catinaccio” in Italian) is a top attraction in the Dolomites with beautiful trails and mountain huts to stop at along the way. If you’re staying in Bolzano, the best way to reach the Rosengarten is through the Eggental valley.
Great starting points are the Kölner Hütte and the Paolina Hütte. You can reach both by cable car and head out from there on trails of varying difficulty.
Or head first to the beautiful Lake Carezza and start your hike from there.
Our hiking tip: From Lake Carezza via the Paolina Hütte to the Christomannos Monument. If that sounds too strenuous, start your hike directly at the Paolina Hütte.
Hiking on the Seceda
The Seceda is an alpine meadow near the Gröden Valley, close to St. Ulrich — one of the most beautiful villages in South Tyrol. You can reach the top by cable car, or if you’re feeling ambitious, hike up from the village — that’s about 3,300 feet of elevation gain.
The real highlight is the view from the very top, right at the edge of the Seceda — the meadow drops away dramatically, and when you photograph it from the side, it looks seriously stunning.
Our hiking tip: From the Seceda mountain station to the Regensburger Hütte.
Hiking in Oberbozen
Oberbozen makes for a great day trip from Bolzano — you can get up there quickly and easily by cable car or bus. From Oberbozen, you can set off on many easy hikes that are perfect for families.
Our tip, though, is to take the bus to the Earth Pyramids of Lengmoos and start your hike from there. The Earth Pyramids are among the most beloved attractions near Bolzano.
Our hiking tip: From the Lengmoos Earth Pyramids to the Rittner Horn cable car. From there, you can ride up to the summit or hike the last stretch yourself.
Hidden Gem Hikes in South Tyrol
Now we’ll show you five South Tyrol hiking trails that are real standouts for us — yet still refreshingly off the beaten path.
Speikboden in the Ahrntal
The Speikboden is one of our absolute favorite summits in South Tyrol. There are various routes here for every skill level — you can start from the valley station, the mid-station, or the mountain station.
The trail to the summit isn’t technically demanding, but since parts of it are rocky and steep in places, you’ll want to watch your footing.
Extra tip for families: There’s a via ferrata at the Speikboden designed specifically for children. You can find more information on the Ahrntal website.
Panorama Loop Trail to the Speikboden from the Mountain Station
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Duration: 3–5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 625 meters
- To the hike
Spronser Lakes near Merano
The Spronser Lakes (“Laghi di Sopranes” in Italian) are a beautiful hiking area in the Texel Group near Merano — and it’s never too crowded.
Partly because there’s no cable car serving the ten Spronser Lakes. You have to earn it by hiking a solid stretch uphill — a genuine local favorite near Merano!
A good starting point is the Leiter Alm, from where you hike up to the lakes. The ascent is strenuous and really only suited to sure-footed hikers. Once you reach the Spronser Lakes, the terrain eases up considerably.
Stop for a break at the Oberkaser Alm right by the lakes. On the way back down, take care — the descent is quite steep and can be slippery.
Spronser Lakes Loop Trail from the Leiter Alm
- Distance: 13 kilometers
- Duration: 4.5–6.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 1,100 meters
- To the hike
Sassongher
The Sassongher is an impressive summit in the Dolomites. Since no cable car runs here, the trail never gets really crowded — which is a big part of the appeal.
The hike starts in the village of Colfosco and the first stretch follows a ski slope. Alternatively, you can take the Col Pradat cable car up to the mountain station.
From there, you follow a beautiful path, and the final section climbs steeply over rocks to the summit — you’ll need to do a bit of scrambling, which is easily doable without any gear. That said, this trail is still only suitable for experienced and sure-footed hikers.
Hike from Colfosco to the Sassongher
- Distance: approximately 10 kilometers (out and back)
- Duration: 3–6 hours
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Elevation gain: approximately 1,000 meters
- To the hike
Seekofel
The Seekofel (“Croda del Becco” in Italian) is a tall mountain in the Dolomites that’s reflected in the famous Lake Braies. And even though the lake is incredibly well known, the hike to the Seekofel remains something of an under-the-radar pick.
That may be because the hike is genuinely strenuous, and most tourists aren’t up for it. But it’s absolutely worth it. The view of Lake Braies and the surrounding landscape are breathtaking.
In some spots the trail is very steep, and in parts you’ll need to do a bit of scrambling — though no equipment is required. Still, this hike is not suitable for beginners.
Hike from Lake Braies to the Seekofel
- Distance: approximately 14 kilometers (out and back)
- Duration: 5–8 hours
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Elevation gain: approximately 1,300 meters
- To the hike
Stoanerne Mandln
If you want a more relaxed hike in South Tyrol, the Stoanerne Mandln are a great pick. The trail winds uphill through forests and meadows at a pleasant, steady gradient.
You can start from several different points — for example, in Mölten, Flaas, or Hafling.
Shortly before the top, you’ll pass the Möltner Kaser Alm. From there it’s still 1.5 kilometers to the summit — that’s the most demanding stretch. From the top, you can see all the way to the Dolomites, and the panorama is really something.
On the way back down, stop at the Möltner Kaser Alm for some Knödel or Kaiserschmarrn — you’ve earned it.
Hike from Flaas to the Stoanerne Mandln
- Distance: approximately 14 kilometers (out and back)
- Duration: 3–6 hours
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Elevation gain: approximately 600 meters
- To the hike
The Best Time to Hike in South Tyrol
From late May through late September, South Tyrol offers ideal conditions for hiking in South Tyrol. Even the higher-elevation trails are mostly snow-free and temperatures are warm.
Our insider tip for South Tyrol, though, is to go hiking in October. There’s virtually no snow yet and far fewer tourists than during the summer months.
If you don’t want to go too high (up to about 6,500 feet), April and May are also excellent — the trails aren’t too busy yet and the sun shines on plenty of days.
In June, July, and August, and during a September trip, you’ll have ideal hiking weather — but in the most popular areas, especially in August, expect big crowds.
Read our tips on the best time to visit South Tyrol:
FAQ: General Tips for Your Hiking Vacation in South Tyrol
What should I pack for hiking in South Tyrol?
Here’s a quick rundown of the most important things to bring on a hike in South Tyrol.
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Hiking clothes
- Good hiking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Trail map or a map on your phone
Optional:
- Hiking poles
- Rain protection
For via ferratas, multi-day hikes, and similar routes, you’ll need additional gear.
Is hiking in South Tyrol dangerous?
It depends — mostly on you. If you prepare well, don’t overestimate your abilities, and stay alert, you can keep the risks very low.
Here are our most important pointers:
- Be honest about your fitness level and don’t bite off more than you can chew
- Only hike in good weather and keep a close eye on the forecast
- Never leave the marked trail
- Always carry a phone and a trail map
Nature is unpredictable and things can always go sideways. That said, on easy hikes you really don’t need to worry too much.
Which hiking app is best for South Tyrol?
We generally recommend Komoot as a hiking app — it’s super easy to use and has great route data for the region.
For South Tyrol specifically, there’s also the South Tyrol Outdoor App, which is really solid too.
Can you hike in South Tyrol with kids?
Absolutely! There are plenty of easy trails in South Tyrol that work really well for families with children.
A few good examples:
- Woody Walk (Brixen Plose hiking area)
- Sagenweg Schenna
- Haflinger Erlebnisweg
If you’d like more family hiking recommendations, the South Tyrol Hiking Guide by A Tasty Hike is a great resource.
