In the Shadow of the Dolomites. A self-guided walking holiday among vines, chestnut groves, meadows and lakes.
This is a walking holiday in the very heart of the “Alto Adige” region, in the shadow of the Dolomites mountains. Just south of the Alps, between Bressanone, cultural centre of the Tyrol region and Bolzano, this is where the German world meets the Italian dolce vita, where north and south Europe meet. The first part of the tour is on the Keschtnweg, the ‘Chestnut Way’, from which you can admire the beautiful Dolomites mountains as if you were gazing from a terrace. The walk continues on the Renon plateau, to arrive at the region’s capital, Bolzano and the Val Gardena. Vineyards and orchards flank the route, the landscape is dotted with castles and handsome palazzi, whilst one of the highlights is Lake Kaltern; and the majestic mountains are always in view.
Price:
£720 per person sharing a room (13th April 2024)
£820 per person (17th April – 13th July 2024)
£880 per person (15th July – 6th October 2024)
Single supplement £160
EXTRA NIGHTS IN BRESSANONE/BRIXON
Per person and night in a double room, incl. breakfast £85
Single room surcharge, per night £30
EXTRA NIGHTS IN MERANO
Per person and night in a double room, incl. breakfast £95
Single room surcharge, per night £30
Included:
Not Included:
Departure Dates:
Every Saturday and Wednesday
13/04/2024 – 06/10/2024 (incl.)
Other departure dates possible for minimum of 5 people.
Day 1: Arrival at Bressanone (Brixen)
If you have time, visit the old town in Bressanone: the Romanesque cathedral, the Palace “dei Principi Vescovi” and the city arcades. Not far (2km) there is the Novacella abbey, the biggest monastery of the Tyrol, famous for its white wine.
Day 2: Bressanone – Chiusa (Klausen)
From Bressanone climb up to the Pfeffersberg. Natural terraces allow you to admire the Dolomite mountains, whilst the path passes through little villages and farms. Passing by Velturno and the Sabiona monastery, arrive at the gorgeous village of Chiusa, where you can visit the civic museum which exhibits the renowned Loreto Treasure.
15 kms. 5-6 hours walking. Height gain: 560m
Day 3: Chiusa – Bolzano (Bozen)
After a short bus transfer to Barbiano come to Renon (Ritten) and a plateau with remarkable views of the Dolomites and the Schlern. After passing the Earth Pyramids take the cable-car down to Bolzano, a city where Italian and German culture meets.
19 kms. 5-6 hours walking. Height gain: 550m
Day 4: Bolzano – Lake Kaltern
A route taking you past the most famous lake in the southern Tyrol, an area that is also renowned for its wines, as well as a landscape covered in castles, farms and churches. Worth visiting is the wine museum in Kaltern.
Return to Bolzano by public bus.
18 kms. 5 hours walking. Height gain: 550m
Day 5: Bozen/Bolzano – Lana – Meran/Merano
After breakfast you take a train to Lana (ticket included). Shortly after Lana the hiking route continues along the
famous Marlinger Waale – the longest irrigation ditch in South Tyrol. These irrigation ditches known as ‘Waale’
were constructed hundreds of years ago to supply dry corridors with water. These ditches nowadays are used for
hiking and walking. The route continues below Schloss Tyrol along the famous Tappeiner Weg towards Merano.
The Empress Sissi knew how to appreciate the mild climate. Inviting centuries old Arbours and superb parks add
to the completion of a perfect day.
Ascent approx. 220 m, descent approx. 240 m / approx. 6-7 hours
Day 6: Departure
There is a regular train service (approximately hourly) if you wish to return to Bressanone (1h 15) or Bolzano (40 min). Return transfers by shuttle-bus can also be organised, to be paid locally.
Hotels:
Day 1: Best Western Grüner Baum – Brixenb www.gruenerbaum.it
Day 2: Park Hotel – Klausen www.parkhotel-post.it
Day 3: Hotel Luna Mondschein- Bozen www.hotel-luna.it
Day 4 & 5: Hotel Kalterer See Hof – St.Josef am See www.kaltererseehof.com/de
Day 6: Hotel Flora – Meran http://www.merano-flora.it/
Getting there:
Arrival:
By car: On the Brenner/Brennero motorway (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone or over the Felbertauernstraße to
Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (Austria) and then further on through the valley Pustertal/Val Pusteria on the SS49 to
Brixen/Bressanone.
By train: Take a train from Innsbruck to Brixen/Bressanone. Arriving from the south over Verona and Bozen/
Bolzano to Brixen/Bressanone. Arriving from east over Lienz to Brixen/Bressanone. Timetable available on:
www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com.
By plane: Nearest airports are Innsbruck airport (approx. 83 km), Verona Villafranca airport (approx. 191 km),
Treviso airport (approx. 228 km), Venice Marco Polo airport (approx. 313 km).
Return: Good train-connections on the main line Meran-Bozen-Brixen/Merano-Bolzano-Bressanone. Timetable on: www.trenitalia.com,www.sii.bz.it. Price per person: approx. € 10.00 – 12.00
Parking: Parking facilities at Brixen/Bressanone at the hotel of your arrival: Hotel garage: approx. € 60.00/
week; € 11/day. Parking place Residence Gasser: approx. € 40.00/week; Reservation not possible; to be paid
directly in the hotel.
