Active summer holidays

Unforgettable holiday moments at Lake Monticolo

The charming, picturesque town of Monticolo in South Tyrol’s Oltradige region is situated in the middle of nature, surrounded by vineyards and the Monticolo forest. Already in mid-March, the surroundings are perfect for long bike tours and walks in nature. Especially mountain bikers will find their happy place in the Monticolo Forest. Only a few minutes away and easy to reach on foot, you will find the two lakes. With their great water quality, they are perfect for a refreshing swim. My advice: Early mornings and late evenings are particularly magical at the lake. In addition, numerous historic castles, manor houses, wine estates, churches, museums, and charming villages throughout the Oltradige region are waiting to be discovered.

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Cycling holidays at Lake Monticolo

Varied cycling tours in the surroundings of Unterhabsbergerhof

This region of South Tyrol offers stunning landscapes, idyllic vineyards, and paradise for mountain bikers and road cyclists. With endless trails and demanding ascents, Eppan is the perfect destination for adventures on the bike.

Mountain bike tour

in the Monticolo Forest to Firmiano Castle

Starting from the parking area at Lake Montiggl (Großer Montiggler See), follow trail 1A to the smaller Lake Montiggl (Kleiner Montiggler See) and then continue on trail no. 1 towards “Wilder Mann Bühel”. First, the trail is pleasantly wide and easy to ride. After about one kilometre, however, a short, rough section has to be negotiated. Soon you will reach the asphalt road leading to Schreckbichl near Girlan. Continue following trail no. 1 all the way to Sigmundskron. At Marklhof, the asphalt ends and the route continues downhill on a forest path. Here, a few steep ramps and other exciting features await. Please keep in mind that this section is shared with hikers. The trail ends at Firmiano Castle. From there, head back towards Frangart and follow the cycle path back to the starting point.

Road bike tour

from Lake Monticolo to Lake Caldaro

This easy, 40-kilometer-long route leads from Monticolo to Lake Caldaro through Southern South Tyrol and back to Monticolo. Beautiful views are a guarantee. Starting at Lake Monticolo, you will reach the western shore of Lake Caldaro on a panoramic path. From here, you can follow the cycling path to Tramin and passing by Rungg to Kurtatsch, Neumarkt, and Auer. Now, you cycle along the biotope at Lake Caldaro in the direction of Lavasontal. From here, a road-bike-friendly, paved road leads back to Monticolo. You have to manage a short ascent.

Mountain bike tour with a view of the Dolomites

From Aldein to Jochgrimm on the Four-Alpine-Pastures Tour

Starting from the Bletterbach Gorge in Aldein, this tour passes four alpine pastures and offers wonderful views of the Rosengarten. From the Bletterbach Gorge, the route leads towards the Schmieder Alm and Schönrast Alm on a steady, moderate climb. Passing meadows and forests, the trail continues via Neuhütt to the Aurer Leger mountain hut, where one of the highlights of the tour awaits: a panoramic view of the Rosengarten in the Dolomites. From here, the route continues to Jochgrimm, the highest point of the tour (1,995 m). The return follows a beautiful meadow path beneath the Weißhorn and continues via the Laner Alm back to the Bletterbach Gorge. By the way: exploring the gorge on foot for a day is well worth it, too!

Hiking fun in sunny South Tyrol

Let’s explore the mountains!

Southern South Tyrol captivates visitors with a diverse cultural landscape of vineyards, forests, and scenic high-altitude areas, offering a wide range of hiking opportunities. Around Eppan, well-marked trails, peaceful natural surroundings, and impressive panoramic views invite both leisurely walks and more challenging hikes. This makes the region an ideal starting point for varied hiking experiences on foot.

Three Castles Hike in Eppan

South Tyrol, and particularly the area between Bozen and Meran, is famous for its many castles, fortresses, and ruins. During this beautiful panoramic hike, you have the chance to see three of them: Hocheppan Castle, one of the most important fortresses in South Tyrol, the ruins of Castle Boymont, and Korb Castle. The starting point is the fire departments in St. Pauls (Eppan). From here, follow path n. 9 and then 9A. The tour takes about 4 hours and includes 400m of altitude difference. During the hike, you can make a stop in a castle tavern or participate in a guided tour. An unforgettable day between culture and hiking!

Pasture hike at the Mendel mountain

Hiking to the alpine pastures on the nearby Mendola Pass is definitely worthwhile. We recommend the following circular route: From the upper station of the Mendola Funicular, follow the signpost to Penegal (trail no. 500) on the right. After about one and a half hours, you will reach Penegal (1,737 m). Here, turn left and follow trail no. 508. After about half an hour, you will arrive at Malga Malosco (1,547 m), where you can stop for refreshments. Continuing downhill for another half hour, you will reach the “Regole” area (1,320 m). Just behind the inn “Rifugio Regole”, leave the forest road and follow the signpost for “Passo della Mendola” (trail no. 514 and then no. 515, “Wassersteig”). The route then leads partly uphill back to the Mendola Pass.

Via Ferrata at Fennberg

This is a very beautiful via ferrata at the border between South Tyrol and Trentino with a stunning view of the Etschtal Valley. The tour is particularly beautiful in spring when everything blooms, or in autumn during the grape harvest. Steep rock sections, ladders and numerous metal rungs make this via ferrata varied and exciting. Anyone choosing this adventure should have a head for heights and must be equipped with a complete via ferrata safety set.

Tennis

Playing tennis in Monticolo

The tennis courts in Montiggl offer ideal conditions for relaxed matches and enjoyable sporting moments surrounded by nature. Located just a few minutes from Unterhabsbergerhof and easily reachable on foot, they allow guests to enjoy a game of tennis without having to travel far. Perfect for anyone looking to combine activity and relaxation in southern South Tyrol.

Culture and Dolce Vita

Aperitivo, shopping, and museums in Bozen and Meran

At Unterhabsbergerhof, you are in the middle of the Monticolo Forest nature reserve and can enjoy complete peace and relaxation. But if you are in the mood for a city trip, Bozen and Meran are not far away! Here, you will find shopping streets, cafés, restaurants and cultural highlights, which add some variety to your holidays.

La Dolce Vita

Southern South Tyrol is particularly loved for its alpine-Mediterranean flair. Here, dumplings meet pizza and mountains meet palm trees. The best of both worlds, one could say. The nearby cities and towns offer plenty of possibilities to experience the “Dolce Vita” in South Tyrol. Take a seat in a café at Thermenplatz in Meran or at Waltherplatz in Bozen and enjoy a delicious aperitif, while enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere and watching the hustle and bustle, falling more and more in love with South Tyrol.

Cultural highlights

From a cultural point of view, the two cities Meran and Bozen have a lot to offer: stroll through the narrow streets, under the historic arcades, and in the city centers to find some hidden cultural gems. Furthermore, don’t miss a visit to the natural history museum in Bozen, to the archaeological museum with the famous mummy of Ötzi, to one of the famous Messner Mountain Museums, at Castel Trauttmansdorff or Gufyland in Dorf Tirol. As you can see, culture lovers can look forward to a varied offer!

Shopping in Meran and Bozen

Italy is a true fashion capital – and South Tyrol is no exception! Whether you are exploring the cities of Merano and Bolzano or browsing the local boutiques in the nearby villages, you are sure to find one or two stylish new additions to your wardrobe. The region also has plenty to offer when it comes to craftsmanship and artisan products. Stroll through the quieter side streets and hidden alleys to make sure you do not miss any insider tips and return home with truly unique souvenirs.