Hiking in Scena - South Tyrol
The village of Schenna towers above Meran, nestled in an extensive hiking terrain that caters to leisure hikers, families with their children and mountaineers alike. Scena extends from the vineyard slopes to the summit crosses of the high mountains and is criss-crossed by almost 500 km of signposted hiking trails.
Hiking and mountaineering all year round in South Tyrol
The sunny village of Schenna offers active recreation from spring to late autumn. The meadow path leads past numerous cultural sites and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains: these include the neo-Gothic mausoleum of Archduke Johann and Anna Plochl, the Romanesque St. Martin's Church - the oldest monument in Scena, the round church in St. Georgen with its frescoes and the depiction of St. Cummernus and more.
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While in the mountain regions there are prepared winter hiking trails through the snow-covered landscape, the Merano basin in the Adige Valley remains snow-free for almost the entire winter thanks to its mild climate. Here, numerous hiking trails can be followed even in pleasant winter temperatures, making the Merano basin the ideal setting for winter hikes in South Tyrol. The sun-drenched Hirzer high plateau and the Merano 2000 ski area provide the perfect terrain for winter hikers. With hiking boots, you can hike along snow-covered forest paths or flat panoramic trails to the next hut with its inviting sun terraces.
Hiking areas in Merano and Environs (South Tyrol)
1. Merano High Mountain Trail
Info overview:
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Starting point: Katharinaberg/Ulfas
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Duration: 10:00 h
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Route: 93.5 km
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Altitude: from 781 to 2,895 metres above sea level
The hiking trail, known as the Alta Via di Merano, is organised like an endless viewing platform. You hike through mountain meadows and forests, with views of the Passeier Valley, the Merano basin, the Schnalstal Valley and the mountain ranges of the Sarntal, Stubai and Ötztal Alps. On a clear day, you can even see the Dolomites and the Brenta Group. This panoramic trail, which has a total length of around 100 kilometres around the Texel Group, can be started and paused at any point. It is divided into a northern and a southern section.
The northern section of the Merano High Mountain Trail starts in Katharinaberg in the Schnalstal Valley and ends in Ulfas above Platt in the Passeiertal Valley, with the hiking time for this section being around 21 hours. From Ulfas, hikers have the option of either descending to Platt and taking the public bus to Meran or continuing the hike on the southern Meraner Höhenweg trail, which leads partly through high alpine terrain and crosses the Eisjöchl at an altitude of 2,895 metres. Starting from Ulfas, the difference in altitude is around 1500 metres. There are numerous opportunities for breaks and overnight stays along the way, making the high-altitude trail suitable for both day hikes and tours lasting several days. It truly is an unrivalled hiking experience!
2. Schenner Waalweg: hiking by the water
Info overview:
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Starting point: Verdins near Schenna (village centre)
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Duration: 02:50 h
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Distance: 9.6 km
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Altitude: from 661 to 1,056 metres above sea level
Like other villages in the region, Scena near Merano in South Tyrol has a Waal, a water channel for irrigating fields. The beautiful Waalweg trail in Scena winds its way through spruce forests and apple trees into the Naiftal valley, always offering a wide view of the Merano valley basin.
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The hike begins in Verdins and leads across meadows to the Waalweg trail. The rushing Waal accompanies the path down to Hasenegg and on to the valley station of the Taser cable car. After crossing the Schnuggenbach stream, the trail continues to the Brunjaun snack station and on to St. Georgen. If you want to explore the entire Waalweg trail, you can hike through orchards and forests to the Naifschlucht gorge. The hike can be enjoyed in spring during the apple blossom season or in autumn during the chestnut and Törggele season. There are numerous places to stop for refreshments along the way.
3. Hike up the Ifinger
Info overview:
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Starting point: Merano 2000 mountain railway mountain station
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Duration: 03:50 h
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Distance: 10.5 km
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Altitude: from 1,889 to 2,553 metres above sea level
The Ifinger summit in Scena offers an impressive view over the Merano region. The mountain tour starts in Merano 2000 and leads up to the striking panoramic mountain. The starting point can be reached with the cable car from Falzeben near Hafling or the new mountain railway from Naif near Meran/Schenna.
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Follow the signposts no. 3 and 19A to the Kuhleiten hut. The path is easy at the beginning and becomes a little steeper later on. There you pass the Oswald church, the Plattinger and the Verdinser Plattenspitz and reach the Oswaldscharte. Here you meet the path from the Taser Höhenweg via the Streitweide Alm. The ascent becomes rougher and steeper over time until you finally reach a stony ridge path. On the left are steep green meadows, on the right the abyss - which makes the view better and better. At a fork in the path, you have the choice - either hike left to the small Ifinger or right to the larger main summit. However, climbing experience and a head for heights are required for the main summit. The descent follows the same route and a visit to the Kuhleiten hut is recommended.
4. Hirzer hiking area
Info overview:
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Starting point: Hirzer cable car, Klammeben mountain station
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Duration: 02:50 h
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Distance: 7.1 km
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Altitude: from 1,837 to 2,113 metres above sea level
The extensive Hirzer hiking area, quickly accessible by cable car from Verdins in Scena/Schenna or Saltaus in Val Passiria/Passeiertal, offers the perfect environment for parents who want to hike with their children thanks to its wide paths from mountain pasture to mountain pasture, while experienced hikers can take on the challenge of climbing the Hirzer, which at 2,781 metres is the highest peak in the Sarntal Alps.
If you start the hike in Saltaus at the entrance to the Passeiertal Valley, take the Hirzer cable car to the Bergflur Klammeben mountain station, which is located at an altitude of 1,980 metres and offers a restaurant for refreshments. Follow trail no. 8A for a short while and then switch to hiking trail no. 40, which leads gently downhill to the Hirzerhütte (1,986 m) and the Tallner Alm (2,022 m). From here, you can continue along the flat alpine path marked 2B. You pass the Hintereggalm and Mahdalm and pass the Rotmoos lake. For the way back, take trail no. 4 and follow trail no. 5B back to the Hirzerhütte.
5. Mountain tour over the Dolomites: 1st Dolomites High Route
Info overview:
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Starting point: Pragser Wildsee
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Duration: 10-12 days
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Distance: 130 km
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Altitude: from 476.0 m to 2740.0 m
About 1 hour's drive from Scena/Schenna, you can also set off on a hike through the Dolomites. The 1st Dolomites High Mountain Trail is the oldest signposted high mountain trail in South Tyrol, which stretches over a 12-stage route of around 130 km and connects Lake Braies with Belluno. On this route you cross the heart of the Dolomites, in particular the central part that connects the Pustertal valley (in the province of Bolzano) with the borders of the Veneto plain. You hike between the Braies Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Val di Zoldo, Agordino and Belluno. The Alta Via offers breathtaking landscapes and intense emotions. The route is well-marked and for the most part runs along undemanding stretches, although the most difficult sections are suitably equipped.
The northernmost section of the Alta Via begins at the enchanting Lake Braies and leads through the romantic kingdom of Fanes. It continues to the majestic Tofane, where experienced hikers can enjoy the challenges of the via ferrata. An easier route leads through the beautiful Val di Zoldo, which pays tribute to the imposing Pelmo massif. The crossing of the Civetta group offers spectacular views of the Dolomites. The fantastic journey through the Dolomites ends in the green Val Belluna.
Hiking in South Tyrol with a guide
Do you want first-hand professional experience and are you looking for a guided hike through the mountain landscape of South Tyrol?
For hikers who want to climb the Hirzer with a guide, the Schenna Tourist Association offers guided hikes lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes. In general, you can explore new hiking areas with a guide every week from the end of March to the beginning of November.
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In addition, water lovers can book a guided tour of the Vinschgau irrigation channels with the Lana tourist office. For the Merano 2000 winter hiking area, the Hafling.Vöran.Meran2000 tourist office offers the opportunity to register online for guided winter hikes with experienced hiking guides.
If you are looking for experienced mountaineers in Merano and Environs, you will find what you are looking for at Outdooractive. The association offers high-altitude tours for mountaineers.
