Holidays in Merano

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Make each day a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as you like.

Why we love walking in Merano

Merano is fantastic if you're looking for a relaxed holiday with a combination of easier and moderate trails to try out. If you want to explore vineyards, botanical gardens and walk along well maintained routes it's ideal. You get a real sense of being on holiday when you can come back from the mountain trails and head straight into the spa to wind-down.

Inghams guided walks

Don't forget, you have the option to join two included Inghams guided walks per week, with a local, professional guide. Get to know our favourite walking trails with insider knowledge and the company of Inghams guests. Pre-booking is essential - check out the Guided Walks section below for more information.

Summer lifts

There are ten lifts open in Merano during the summer, normally from the end of April to the end of September (please note some chairlifts or gondolas, may not open until June). Make use of your Merano Mobil Card as it includes free entry to several cable cars for up to 7 days. Lifts are a fantastic way to experience the scenery from a different perspective as you climb higher and higher. As a top tip, we'd recommend having cash on you, as some lifts and restaurants on the mountain won't accept card.

Public Transport

There are lots of buses and trains available in Merano to make getting around simple. You'll get all these included with your free Merano Mobil Card (up to 7 days), so getting around is really affordable and you'll have the freedom to explore even more of the area. What's great about Merano's public buses is that most of them are electric, which is a really positive step in making the air cleaner for generations to come.

For more information on the Mobil Card head to the 'Cards & Passes' tab.

Inghams guided walks are included on your holiday in Merano

We’ve included two full-day walks per week in Merano, just for Inghams guests. Join a small group and be led by a professional walking guide on some of their favourite trails. It’s a great way to get to know the area.

The walks will run every Monday (Moderate-Challenging) and Friday (Easy-Moderate) from the 12th May-26th Sep 2025. You can add them onto your holiday at the time of booking, through My Booking or by calling us.

Routes may vary from week to week but as a guide you can see some of our planned routes below:

Alta Via di Merano Vernurio - Village Dorf Tirol

On this walk you'll get the chance to stop at a typical mountain hut and experience the Val di Sopranes and the village of Tirolo Vernurio. The bus "hiking bus" (Wanderbus) will take you from Tirolo or Caines to Vernurio. From the bus station in Vernurio, you'll walk along trail no. 24 on the Alta Via di Merano towards Gaveis/Longfall, which passes along several narrow hiking trails and some roadways. Passing through Gaveis, you'll go on a gentle walk down towards Val di Sopranes  where you'll have the chance to stop at the Longfall mountain hut. The final section of the walk heads up the other side of the Val di Sopranes. You'll then begin the ascent to the village of Dorf Tirolo.

• Grade: Easy-Moderate (a decent fitness level and sure-footedness is required)
• Distance: 7km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 3 hours)
• Ascent/descent: 200m (ascent) 300 metres (descent)
• Terrain: Forest paths
• Useful information: You'll stop at the Longfall mountain hut where you can pay for lunch locally and have a rest. Any bus travel will be covered by your Sudtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass. You'll need to bring cash with you as not all cable cars or mountain restaurants accept card.

Summer 2025 - The walk will run on Mondays: 12th, 26th May, 9th, 23rd Jun, 7th, 21st Jul, 4th, 18th Aug, 1st, 15th Sep

Hirzer Almenweg

Starting at the Hirzer cable car mountain station, you'll head up to the Stafell hut. Beginning the ascent along the Almenweg path which takes you to the Tallner hut, and finally to the Ressegger hut where you'll stop for lunch. This is a great place to take a moment and enjoy the glorious mountain views. After lunch, you'll begin a short ascent which will take you back to the starting point, the Klammeben mountain station.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level and sure-footedness is required)
• Distance: 7km to 9.5km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 2-3 hours)
• Ascent/descent: 208m (ascent) & 260m (descent)
• Terrain: Wooden terrain, meadows, some part on single trail
• Useful information: You'll stop at a mountain hut where you can pay for lunch locally and have a comfort break. During the walk you'll take the Hirzer cable car (payable locally, approx. €16.50 per person). Any bus travel will be covered by your Sudtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass. You'll need to bring cash with you as not all cable cars or mountain restaurants accept card.

Summer 2025 - This walk will run on Fridays: 16th, 30th May, 13th, 27th Jun, 11th, 25th Jul, 8th, 22nd Aug, 5th, 19th Sep

Tall to the Taseralm

This is a stunning walk which takes you through forest and meadow slopes and past rustic farmland. The walk starts at the Verdins-Tall cable car where you'll head up to Tall (Oberkirn). The walk will take you along asphalt roads, through woods and meadows and will give you some fantastic views of the Ifinger mountain and the Merano basin. After about an hour you'll reach the pretty mountain hamlet of Videgg which has some lovely farmland and a little church. The trail continues through the forest on the Taser Höhenweg where you'll pass streams, and head up some small climbs. Eventually you'll come to the Taser Alm mountain station where you'll hop on the gondola and finish the walk.

• Grade: Easy-Moderate (a decent fitness level and sure-footedness is required)
• Distance: 9.5km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 3 hours)
• Ascent/descent: 208m (ascent) 187m (descent)
• Terrain: Asphalt roads, wooded terrain, meadows, some small ascents
• Useful information: You'll stop at a mountain hut where you can pay for lunch locally and have a comfort break. During the walk you'll take the Verdins-Tall and the Taser Cable Car (payable locally, approx. €16.50 per person, combined ticket). Any bus travel will be covered by your Sudtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass. You'll need to bring cash with you as not all cable cars or mountain restaurants accept card.

Summer 2025 -19th May, 2nd, 16th, 30th Jun, 14th, 28th Jul, 11th, 25th Aug, 8th, 22nd Sep

San Vigilius

San Vigilius is a very special place for walking, it has been producing radon-containing mineral water since the 60's - this water is used in various therapies. You'll start your day on public transport which will take you to the Vigiljoch Cable car. From here you'll head up to the top where you'll start the walk. The first part of the walk heads through larch and spruce trees - the nature here is unbeatable. In about half an hour you'll reach the spring of the thermal waters of the Terme of Merano. Finally, you'll head to Naturnseralm. This section entails a climb of about 420 metres but it's well worth it for the incredible views.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level and sure-footedness is required)
• Distance: 11.7km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 4.5 hours)
• Ascent/Descent: 410 metres
• Terrain: Forest trails, farmland, some steep ascents
• Useful information: You'll stop at the Naturnseralm Hut where you'll have a comfort break and have some food and a drink (payable locally for approx.€18 per person return). During the walk you'll take the Vigiloch cable car (payable locally, approx. €22 return, per person). Any bus travel will be covered by your Sudtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass. You'll need to bring cash with you as not all cable cars or mountain restaurants accept card.

Summer 2025 -23rd May, 6th, 20th Jun, 4th, 18th Jul, 1st, 15th, 29th Aug, 12th, 26th Sep

For every walk you will need: suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rain jacket, a warmer layer, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a snack and cash for mountain huts/transport. You may find walking poles useful.

Early booking is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. All walks are subject to availability of local guides, weather conditions and maximum numbers. Planned routes are subject to change. Any distances and ascents/descents stated are approximate. Full details of the walks with the meeting points and routes will be provided to you on arrival. In some instances there may be a small charge for local transport that is payable locally. In resorts where the walks run over more than two days, the day of the walk will be allocated to you by your Rep in your welcome meeting. Where we cannot confirm your preferred option in resort, we will endeavour to offer an alternative subject to the above conditions.

Please ensure you are comfortable with the grade of walk, planned distance covered and terrain before booking. The decision of the guide on the suitability of the walk for you is final and no compensation will be paid where the guide believes, in their professional opinion, that it is not suitable. Please ensure you are well-equipped for the walk have suitable clothing and footwear. Walks are not recommended for guests under 12 years. Any guests under 18 years will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Merano 2000m to Stoanerne

A well signposted route, which includes the use of some local transport. The highlight of this route are the stone figures (there are over 100) considered the Stonehenge of the Alpi Sarentine! Be sure to stop off at Möltner Kaser for a refreshment and a bite to eat. Here you'll find a South Tyrolean hut serving traditional food from bacon dumplings with fried potato and eggs to Kaiserschmarrn.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging 
• Duration: approx. 6 hours 

Tappeinerweg Trail

This is a beautiful walk, accessible from many points in Merano centre. Along this well maintained path you'll find various species of palms, magnolias and olive trees and an endless amount of exotic flowers. Make sure to pack your camera, there'll be plenty of opportunities for Instagram moments! 

• Grade: Easy-Moderate
• Distance: 4km

Sissi's Path

Named after Princess Elisabeth of Austrian who spent a lot of her time in Merano, walking along the same path. Sissi's path is perfect for history lovers. Connecting the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle with the city centre. The park where the walk begins is on the edge of the Summer Promenade where you'll find a statue of Princess Sissi.

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 3.2km

The Hinteregger Alm

The Hinteregger Alm forms part of the Talle pastures and has been used as a meadow for rearing local farm animals for generations. The starting point for this hike is the Verdines-Talle cable car mountain station. From here, you'll continue your ascent using the Talle-Grube chair lift. The beginning of the walk is along a flat footpath towards Klammeben, which leads to the Hirzer Hütte Inn. After an easy ascent, you'll carry on along a hiking path through the Tallner Alm farmland all the way to the Hinteregger Alm. The latter stage of the walk follows the path to the Gompm Alm and you'll find yourself walking along a forest path to the Grube. Finally, you can take the Talle-Grube chair lift followed by a cable car back to Verdines. To end the walk you can take the bus back to Merano.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging
• Distance: 8.7km
• Ascent/Descent: 380m (ascent) & 380m (descent)
• Terrain: Farmland and forest paths

The “Passer­-Schluchtenweg” Path

This walk is fantastic if you love to be near water. Head along part of the Passer stream and eventually you'll come to a hiking trail which takes you along the Passiria gorge. The walk will take you through some wonderful forests and farmland and you'll even get to see the Stulles waterfall.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging
• Distance: 8km
• Ascent: 350m
• Terrain: Farmland and forest paths

Alta Via di Merano Moncucco - Unterstell

This walk starts by heading up in the Texel funicular. You'll begin by passing through the Schindelbach stream valley and on to the Hochforch farm mountain hut where you can have a break. You’ll also get to see the ‘valley of a thousand steps’ which leads down to some attractive waterfalls. There’s quite an ascent at this stage but you’ll find farms and meadows at the end of it, where you can have some refreshments. The walk will take you past the Grubhof, Galmein and Innerforch farms, and you’ll follow the trail to the Unterstell cable car mountain station. You'll then head down to Naturno village. This walk is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the Alta Via di Merano and experience the Tessa mountain group.

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging
• Distance: 9.5km
• Ascent/Descent: 480m (ascent) & 700m (descent)
• Terrain: Farmland, meadows, some steep ascents

More great walking route inspiration

You can have a look at more recommended routes and download tour maps and pocket-sized print-outs from the Merano tourist office, you can access public transport timetables and prices from here, too. Guided walks with qualified nature and landscape guides on the walking trails around Merano are also available. You can book and pay for these locally through the tourist office. 

Recommended equipment

Suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, rain jacket, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a re-usable water bottle, a snack and cash. You may find walking poles useful.

Walking maps & apps

South Tyrol Guide is available for free on Google Play or the App Store and has quite a few walks on there to get you started. For paper maps, we recommend Kompass 459. 

Walking guidelines

The mountains are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help it stay that way, and remain an enjoyable and safe place for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

• Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
• Check the weather forecast
• Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
• Take all the recommended equipment
• Make a note of emergency numbers:
  • Italian Emergency Services: 112
• Don't leave the marked trails without a guide
• Let nature stay wild by not picking flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
• Always leave gates as you found them and don't climb over fences
• Leave no trace

Check out our Responsible Walking insider guide if you want more tips for your summer walking holiday.