Meraner Höhenweg - the Meran High Alpine Path
The Meraner Höhenweg or high path is a round circuit whereby visitors can circumnavigate the Texelgruppe over five days at an almost constant height of approx. 1,400 metres. Only in the south, at the Hochganghaus, does the route climb to 1,839 metres before arriving in the north at the Eisjöchl, which peaks at 2,985 metres.
This “path of paths” of which it is said that there is no other like it in the Alps, is situated at the intersection between north and south, and leads hikers around and through the Nature Reserve. On the path there are lodgings which are almost equidistant from one another, that provide protection from the elements as well as an opportunity to make phone calls and therefore make carrying provisions and a sleeping bag superfluous. Visitors can make a detour to the Alpine lakes and summits situated higher up, but more than one day should be planned for such cases. The Meraner Höhenweg is a dream for every hiker, as it is possible to enjoy the many facets of the Nature Reserve’s beauty along the way.
The Passeiertal valley offers a fantastic view of the Jaufen pass to the North and the Sarntaler Alps to the East. From the Weiler Christl the valley turns towards the northwest. From here you can see the foothills of the Stubaier Alps and the main crest of the Ötztaler Alps.
Pfelders was once a lonely, solitary mountain village which didn\'t even have a church. Over the course of the last few decades the village has become better known as the only ski resort of the Texelgruppe. Despite the hotels, guest houses and shops, Pfelders has preserved its own unique style as a mountain village. Witnesses of this are the miners in and around the village.
The Pfossental valley with the Similaun in the background is the heart of the nature reserve with its rich array of plants and animals. In July and August the Alps floral population blooms to sheer perfection to such an extent that the path through this paradise could be called the “butterfly and wild cherry path”.
The Sonnenberg, located in the Vinschgau, represents a typical example of South Tyrolean mining landscape. Only over the course of the last few decades have there been access roads and funiculars to transport goods that have enabled families to work their farms.
The Tschigatkamm is the southern-most point of the Ötztaler Alps. This crest, which peaks at almost 3,000 metres, closes Meran/Merano off to the north and gives rise in the valley to blooming landscapes, fruit, wine and flora which are typical of the Mediterranean.
It runs from Lake Pragser Wildsee (1,493 metres) to Belluno. About 10-12 days are required for the entire route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Lake Pragser Wildsee to Falzarego pass.
Höhenweg No. 2:
This runs from Brixen-Bressanone to Feltre. About 14 days are required for this route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Brixen-Bressanone to Pordoijoch.
Höhenweg No. 3:
This stretches from Niederdorf to Longarone. Length of walk: 8-10 days. At least 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Niederdorf to Monte Piana.
Höhenweg No. 4:
This hiking trail leads from Innichen in the Pustertal valley to Pieve di Cadore. Some parts of the trail are only suitable for experienced mountain climbers! About 10 days are required for the entire route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Innichen to the Auronzohütte mountain hut.
Höhenweg No. 5:
The starting point of this Höhenweg is Sexten. It also ends in Pieve di Cadore, just like Höhenweg No. 4. To complete the entire trail you need about 9-12 days, for the South Tyrolean section from Sexton to the Zsigmondy-Comici hut (2,235 metres) you need one day.
The European Long-Distance Trail E5:
This trail starts off at Lake Constance and ends at the Adriatic, close to Venice. This trial runs right through the middle of South Tyrol, from Timmelsjoch to Bozen and then to Lake Santo (1,194 metres above Salurn/Salorno). About 28 days are required for the entire route. 6 days are required just for the section that passes through South Tyrol.
The Meraner Höhenweg (Meran High Route) circles the entire Texelgruppe natural park and is ca. 100 km long. Amongst experts a difference is made between \" Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" (Meran High Route South) and \"Meraner Höhenweg Nord\" (Meran High Route North), as the routes clearly differ with regard to walking time, altitude, altitude differences and scenic character, etc. The \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" stretches from Katharinaberg in the Schnalstal to Ulfas, above Platt in the Passeiertal. It leads from Schnalstal to the farmsteads high up on the Naturnser Sonnenberg, where there are many opportunities to take a rest. This first section is characterised by magnificent old larch woodlands, soft green in spring, gold-yellow in autumn. At the level of Ulfas, the \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" officially ends. The \"Meraner Höhenweg Nord\" now leads through thinned larch forests and over meadows in the direction of Hütt and further on to Pfelders. From there, the route continues, broad and flat, to Lazins and via the Eisjöchl/Pfossental, you return to your starting point. Total walking time for the southern route: 21 hours, for the northern route: 12 hours. Individual route sections with a walking time of 3 – 4 hours are possible on the \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\". Cable railways bring you to an elevation of 1,500 meters.
This “path of paths” of which it is said that there is no other like it in the Alps, is situated at the intersection between north and south, and leads hikers around and through the Nature Reserve. On the path there are lodgings which are almost equidistant from one another, that provide protection from the elements as well as an opportunity to make phone calls and therefore make carrying provisions and a sleeping bag superfluous. Visitors can make a detour to the Alpine lakes and summits situated higher up, but more than one day should be planned for such cases. The Meraner Höhenweg is a dream for every hiker, as it is possible to enjoy the many facets of the Nature Reserve’s beauty along the way.
The Passeiertal valley offers a fantastic view of the Jaufen pass to the North and the Sarntaler Alps to the East. From the Weiler Christl the valley turns towards the northwest. From here you can see the foothills of the Stubaier Alps and the main crest of the Ötztaler Alps.
Pfelders was once a lonely, solitary mountain village which didn\'t even have a church. Over the course of the last few decades the village has become better known as the only ski resort of the Texelgruppe. Despite the hotels, guest houses and shops, Pfelders has preserved its own unique style as a mountain village. Witnesses of this are the miners in and around the village.
The Pfossental valley with the Similaun in the background is the heart of the nature reserve with its rich array of plants and animals. In July and August the Alps floral population blooms to sheer perfection to such an extent that the path through this paradise could be called the “butterfly and wild cherry path”.
The Sonnenberg, located in the Vinschgau, represents a typical example of South Tyrolean mining landscape. Only over the course of the last few decades have there been access roads and funiculars to transport goods that have enabled families to work their farms.
The Tschigatkamm is the southern-most point of the Ötztaler Alps. This crest, which peaks at almost 3,000 metres, closes Meran/Merano off to the north and gives rise in the valley to blooming landscapes, fruit, wine and flora which are typical of the Mediterranean.
The mountain routes in the Dolomites in South Tyrol and beyond
Höhenweg (mountain path) No. 1:It runs from Lake Pragser Wildsee (1,493 metres) to Belluno. About 10-12 days are required for the entire route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Lake Pragser Wildsee to Falzarego pass.
Höhenweg No. 2:
This runs from Brixen-Bressanone to Feltre. About 14 days are required for this route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Brixen-Bressanone to Pordoijoch.
Höhenweg No. 3:
This stretches from Niederdorf to Longarone. Length of walk: 8-10 days. At least 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Niederdorf to Monte Piana.
Höhenweg No. 4:
This hiking trail leads from Innichen in the Pustertal valley to Pieve di Cadore. Some parts of the trail are only suitable for experienced mountain climbers! About 10 days are required for the entire route. About 3 days are needed for the South Tyrolean section from Innichen to the Auronzohütte mountain hut.
Höhenweg No. 5:
The starting point of this Höhenweg is Sexten. It also ends in Pieve di Cadore, just like Höhenweg No. 4. To complete the entire trail you need about 9-12 days, for the South Tyrolean section from Sexton to the Zsigmondy-Comici hut (2,235 metres) you need one day.
The European Long-Distance Trail E5:
This trail starts off at Lake Constance and ends at the Adriatic, close to Venice. This trial runs right through the middle of South Tyrol, from Timmelsjoch to Bozen and then to Lake Santo (1,194 metres above Salurn/Salorno). About 28 days are required for the entire route. 6 days are required just for the section that passes through South Tyrol.
The Meraner Höhenweg (Meran High Route) circles the entire Texelgruppe natural park and is ca. 100 km long. Amongst experts a difference is made between \" Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" (Meran High Route South) and \"Meraner Höhenweg Nord\" (Meran High Route North), as the routes clearly differ with regard to walking time, altitude, altitude differences and scenic character, etc. The \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" stretches from Katharinaberg in the Schnalstal to Ulfas, above Platt in the Passeiertal. It leads from Schnalstal to the farmsteads high up on the Naturnser Sonnenberg, where there are many opportunities to take a rest. This first section is characterised by magnificent old larch woodlands, soft green in spring, gold-yellow in autumn. At the level of Ulfas, the \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\" officially ends. The \"Meraner Höhenweg Nord\" now leads through thinned larch forests and over meadows in the direction of Hütt and further on to Pfelders. From there, the route continues, broad and flat, to Lazins and via the Eisjöchl/Pfossental, you return to your starting point. Total walking time for the southern route: 21 hours, for the northern route: 12 hours. Individual route sections with a walking time of 3 – 4 hours are possible on the \"Meraner Höhenweg Süd\". Cable railways bring you to an elevation of 1,500 meters.
