A beautiful walk through some of the loveliest countryside in the Alps.
The Merano Höhenweg (High Path) is listed as path number 24. It meanders its way gently through the Texel Nature Park and is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful hiking paths in this part of the Alps. Its total length measures 90 kilometres and there are a number of easy-to-reach starting and finishing places along it as well as numerous vantage points for fantastic views of the surrounding mountain peaks reaching over 3,000 mt. and down into the nearby valleys. The southern part of the Merano Höhenweg starts from Ulvas in the high Passiria valley at 1,369 mt. and leads up past the lonely Gögelehof farm to Christl with impressive views of the Sarentino Alps. You reach Matatz at 1,098 mt. after a two-and-a-half hour hike - just in time for a welcome snack at one of the charming farmhouses there. Then on to Magdfeld at 1,147 mt., Verurio/Vernuer at 1,100 mt. and Longfall at 1.075mt. before heading gently up to the Maso della Muta farms which cling to the steep sides of the Cima Muta at 1.361 mt. Then up again to the Valico/Hochganghaus at 1,839 mt., the highest point of the southern part of the circuit, before heading down towards the Gojener Alm (1,824 mt.), Nassereto/Nassereith, Moncucco/Giggelberg, Hochforch (1,555 mt.), Innerforch, Linthof and Kopfron (1,436mt.) to finish at Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg at 1.245 mt.
The northern part of the Merano Höhenweg starts from Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg and leads to Nassereto/Nassereith (1,523 mt.) and Casera di Fuori/Vorderkaser (1,693 mt.) in the Val di Fosse/Pfossental valley where the rarest of Alpine flora and fauna can be found. You may well spot a proud mountain ibex so don’t forget your camera! Just before the Rableid Alm, you will come to the Eishof farm at 2,069 mt. which was first mentioned way back in 1290 and which gives breath-taking views of various 3,000 mt. plus mountain peaks including the Cima Tessa/Texelspitze, Monte rosso/Roteck, Cima Biana Grande/Hohe Weiße, Altissima/Hohe Wilde and the Cime Nere/ Hintere Schwärze. Get your breath back before starting off again steeply up towards the Eisjöchl which, at 2,908 mt., is the highest point of the entire Höhenweg, then on to the Stettinerhütte (2,875 mt.) before heading gently downwards past Plan and the Inner- and Außerhütt to Ulvas.
The Höhenweg is lined with typical old Gasthöfe (guesthouses), Schutzhütten (mountain rescue huts) and farmhouse Jausenstationen where you can get something to eat and drink and often over-night accommodation. We would recommend you try some delicious home-cured Bauernspeck – raw, smoked pork, a little Almkäs – tasty mountain cheese, home-made Knödel – Speck-flavoured bread dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn - a delicious, filling omelette served with cranberry conserve and a great favourite of a past Austrian emperor or a slice of freshly-baked apple strudel...
6 Basic Rules for Mountain Hiking
- Plan your excursion well. Remember, the planning part is half of the enjoyment!
- Never go hiking alone. Always go with a companion and remember to ask your hotel owner for information about the condition of the path at different times of the year.
- Weather conditions in the mountains may change with very little warning so be prepared and equipped to face cold temperatures as well as extreme heat, rain or even unexpected snow.
- Stay on the well-marked paths, have a good local map with you and watch out for the arrival of bad weather.
- Make regular stops along the way to get your breath back, plan a proper lunchtime stop for food and refreshment and remember to drink enough!
- Stop when in doubt! Better safe than sorry!
Handy telephone numbers:
Emergency (24 hr. free service) 118
Alpine Information Bozen +39 0471 999 955
Weather Info.Bozen +39 0471 270 555 / 271 177
