Guided: Merano High Mountain Trail

Merano High Mountain Trail Itinerary

Arrival/Travel Day:
Arrive in Merano for lodging in our Hotel. Please use this day to stock up on any lunch and snack supplies you may need.

Day 1: Merano to Nasereit Hut 
Meeting with the guide at 8.00AM for breakfast and trip briefing.
We start Stage 1 of the circuit with a boost to higher altitude, taking the Hochmuth cable car above vineyards and orchards up to the Muthöfe farmstead where we begin our circuit. From here, a short but steep climb up to the Steinegg Inn. We continue west on a portion of the trail called the Hans-Frieden-Weg. After 1.5 hours we reach the Leiteralm where we usually have lunch. The trail continues through the forest to the Hochganghaus where we will cross over the Töllgraben bridge. From the Hochganghaus, the trail continues past the “Hohe Wiege” viewpoint. From here the trail begins the descent down to the Nasereit Hut, passing the Tablander Alm on the way.
This is an easier first day, about 5 hours of hiking.

Day 2: Nasereit Hut to Katharinaberg
Stage 2 is an impressive day with stunning views of valleys, high peaks, suspension bridges, and the famous Gorge of 1000 Steps. Be prepared for an undulating trail with lots of steps that might leave your knees a bit shaky by the end of the day! We hike from Nasereit to Katharinaberg, beginning with a 1-hour walk to Giggleberg. As we approach Giggleberg we are rewarded with stunning views of the Merano Valley. Now we tackle the Gorge of 1000 Steps. Chains, ropes, and railings will help you navigate this challenging section of the trail. Fresh water, snacks, and lunch can be found along the way at the many restaurants, inns, and farms that you’ll find along the way. As we continue onwards to Grub and then Lint, a short descent through the Schnalstal valley leads us to Katharinaberg where we settle in for the night.
Approx. 6 hours of walking.

For private trips we can customize the itinerary to avoid the Gorge of 1000 Steps. Please inquire with us if you’d prefer this easier itinerary option. 

Day 3: Katharinaberg – Eishof
Today is a relatively easy start to Stage 3 on a fairly flat trail through pastoral land where roaming livestock is a common sight. After 4km/ 2,5 miles, a steep ascent leads us to Jägerrast. We usually stop at the Gasthaus Jägerrast for a much needed rest, snack and/or lunch. There are numerous inns along the way allowing for plenty of rest, snacks, and a hearty lunch. If you are watching closely, you might spot a chamois (type of mountain goat) on the opposite side of the valley or a golden eagle flying through the canyon, as their nests are in the valley cliffs. The trail continues through mountain pastures and a Larch forest, before arriving at the Eishof for lodging. Beautiful views of the Hohe Weisse, named for its bright limestone, and to the left, the Hohe Wilde with its dark rock.
Approx. 5.5 hours of walking.

Day 4: Eishof – Pfelders
Another stunning day on Stage 4 as we hike up to the Eisjöchl ridge in the Texel Group and reach the highest point on the Merano High Mountain Trail at almost 3000m. This route follows a forest road, along an old and gradually ascending military route, with some Alpine terrain in the form of small snow fields. After 3 hrs we reach the the Stettiner Hütte. The hut was swept away by an avalanche in 2013/14 and reopened in 2021. After some rest and lunch at the hut, we continue with a descent to the Lazinser Alm and onwards to Pfelders.
Approx. 6 hours

Day 5: Pfelders – Matatz
Stage 5 of the Merano offers up a different landscape than what we have been seeing for the past few days. After crossing three streams, we reach the Bergkristall climbing garden where we hike through forests, valleys, meadows and mountain farms. Soon we reach the hamlet of Christl above St. Leonhard, the main town of the Passeier Valley. The Sarntal Alps and the double peak of the Laugen mountain rise majestically on the horizon. It is in Krössbichl that we cross the bridge that connects the southern part of the Merano High Mountain Trail to the northern part. As we walk toward the Texel Group, passing the towns of Sefnar, Ulfas, and Christl, asphalt roads connect us to Matatz where we will lodge for the night.
Approx. 5 hours of walking

Day 6: Matatz back to Merano
We finish our circuit hike through the Texel group today, descending into the Kalmbach Valley and the lowest point of the Merano High Mountain Trail. From here the trail follows several ups and downs until it returns to 1000m above sea level near Magdfeld.
Passing several mountain farms and woodland, we reach the Hochmuth cable car, from where we descend to Dorf Tirol and back to Merano for our last night of lodging.

Departure/Travel Day:
Your trip officially concludes after breakfast. Thank you for joining OnTop Mountaineering on this stunning trek through the Texel Group in South Tirol, Italy.

Inclusions

Included:

• 6 days of guiding & guide expenses by a multi-lingual certified hiking guide
• 2 nights lodging at a hotel in Merano
• 2 nights double, multi-bed or dormitory lodging in mountain lodges or huts
• 3 nights in mountain hotels, double rooms
• 2 dinners for the nights in mountain huts
• 7  breakfasts
• Taxi / bus transfers / cable cars throughout the hike
• Luggage Storage
• All trip organization, reservations as well as assistance with all pre- and post- trip preparations.

Not Included:

• Single hotel room supplement (~ €50 per night, hotel nights only)
• Airfare
• Airport shuttles
• 5 dinners for the nights in Hotels
• All beverages (water, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic)
• All lunches and snacks
• Insurance
• Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain conditions or personal preference

Transportation

Transport Options/Closest Airport:

Our Merano High Mountain Trail / Alta Via Merano begins in Merano and can be easily reached from a variety of airports: Bolzano, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice or Milano, to name a few options. For more information:
Reach Merano by plane

Train Travel to Merano: Merano is connected to a solid train network via the Austrian and Swiss trail systems.
More Information

Bus Travel to Merano: There is a direct bus service connecting Merano with Munich. The Südtirol Express connects Merano to Switzerland, and FlixBus offers year-round bus connections from every European Country.
More Information:

Private Shuttle: Alternatively private shuttles from airports can be arranged.

Merano High Mountain Trail Private Trip Pricing

Why not find some friends and put together your own group?

For private groups, we can offer the following premiums or discounts on our advertised prices

2 participants: 60% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
3 participants: 40% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
4 participants: 20% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
5 participants: Our advertised per person price
6 participants: 10% discount from our advertised per person price
7 – 8 participants: 15% discount from our advertised per person price

For groups larger than 8, please reach out to us for a custom quote.

Custom Trips

Custom trips are available any time from June – October, any duration > 2 days

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that covers adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering”  if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/  which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Trip Related Questions:

Arrival Day 

The day before the trek begins, you will arrive in Merano to check into our preferred Hotel. We suggest arriving in the afternoon to leave yourself time to pack a lunch for the following day and have a leisurely dinner before getting a good night’s rest. There are no group obligations on this day.

Meeting Point

Meet your guide on the first hiking day at 8:00 AM at our Hotel in Merano (lodging and breakfast included in trip price) for a trip briefing followed by a taxi ride to the first trailhead.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures 

Merano and the Texel Group are usually blessed with some favorable weather. However, as anywhere in the mountains, there is also a chance to see some snow, if a storm hits. This is rare in July and August but can happen in June and September. Daytime temperatures can range from -5C (23F) to 25C (77F) or higher.

Best Time to visit the Merano/ South Tyrol, and Texel Group

Full circular route: July to end of September

On a custom basis we can modify the itinerary to include the Southern half of the circuit only which lends to warmer weather:
Merano High Mountain Trail South: May to October

Lodging in Hotels  and Mountain Huts during the Trek 

• We split our time between comfortable mountain huts and hotels.
• The huts are heated and provide sheets and comforters or wool blankets – however, in some of the huts the sheets/blankets are not changed between each client stay, so it is mandatory to bring a sleeping bag liner. The lightest models available are made of silk and weigh around 100 grams (1/2 pound).
• The Huts included along our route vary in size from very large to small and rustic depending on their location – all are built in magnificent settings. Some of the huts only offer coed, multi-bed bunk rooms for 10 to 14 trekkers (when fully occupied).
• When lodging in dorm rooms/ non-private rooms, you will be sleeping with your fellow trekkers and most likely other trekkers as well. If you are a sensitive sleeper, we highly recommend ear plugs, an eye mask, and perhaps a sleep aid.

Breakfasts and Dinners at the Huts/ Hotels

• Breakfasts typically consist of tea/coffee, bread, jams, cold cuts or ham, cheese, muesli, cereal with milk or yoghurt. More remote huts may have smaller breakfast offerings. If you have your preferred cereal for breakfast, granola bar or power snack, you should probably bring it along from home, as it might not be available in the small food stores in Italian mountain villages or at the huts.
• Dinners are usually between 3- 4 courses (“mezza pensione”) which consist mostly of pasta or soup, a meat entree and dessert and/or cheese.

Lunches 

Lunches are not included in our trip packages. We recommend packing a lunch for the first day of trekking. Packed lunches are available at each hut/hotel and must be ordered the night before. Please discuss as a group what the next day’s lunch plans are as some group may opt to dine-in at a hut, restaurant, or farm along the way.

Luggage Storage and Transfers

You can use the hotel luggage storage facilities at your own risk. Neither OnTop nor the hotel accepts any responsibility for loss of or damage to the luggage or the contents (including any valuables, even if we have been advised) during storage, the disposal process or any luggage transfers that may be part of your trip package. That being said, we have never had any issues with lost luggage during storage or transfer.

Maps

#4 Schnalstal / Val Senales

#11 Meran und Umgebung – Merano et Dintorno

#39 Paseier Tal – Val Pasira

Can I Do It?

This is a non-technical trail hike, which requires up to 6 hrs (up to 6 miles, maximum of 2500 ft vertical) of hiking on most of the days (up to 8 hrs a day including optional peak ascents and side trips). On some days we reach our hut or lodge by early afternoon and guests have the option between a peak ascent or relaxing with a good book in the afternoon.

Hikers should have hiking experience and must be surefooted.