Overview
South Tyrol is a German-speaking bit of Italy, a region with a dual identity and home to Vinschgau Valley – one of the most diverse hiking areas at any time of the year. Discover the magical alleyways of the Medieval village of Mals, visit one of the best-preserved castles of South Tyrol – Churburg castle, with the world’s largest private armour chamber, and relax by strolling the picturesque traditional villages of Schluderns and Burgeis. Detour to neighbouring Switzerland to visit the impressive Abbey of Saint John in Müstair. Enjoy excellently marked hiking trails, expansive vineyards, hilly landscapes, medieval villages, historic estates, forts and castles, excellent wine and local cuisine – Vinschgau is just waiting to be experienced, explored and savoured with all of your senses.
- Sleepy mountain villages and quaint alp huts
- Visit Glurns, the smallest town in the Alps
- Views of the mountains of three countries: Switzerland, Italy and Austria
- Stelvio National Park
- Legendary long-distance views of the alpine mountains and the Vinschgau Valley
- Historic castles and palaces along the route
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Mals
Discover the alleyways of this tranquil Vinschgau market town and marvel at the numerous towers.
- Accommodation: Zum Hirschen or similar
Day 2: Mals – Schluderns | 18km
From leisurely Waalweg irrigation-channel trails to the three-thousand-metre climbs – enjoy all the authenticity of the Matsch Valley. The living traditions and customs offer you an insight into the active village community, and a stop-off to wander around the castle ruins at the entrance to the village brings the dreaded Matsch robber barons back to fearsome life. In the afternoon, the pretty village of Schluderns welcomes you with its proud Churburg castle, one of the best-preserved castles in South Tyrol.
- Walking for the day: approx. 5h, 18km, ↑800m ↓950m
- Accommodation: Saldur or similar
Day 3: Schluderns – Taufers | 10km
After a visit to Glurns, the smallest town in the Alps, you ascend high up into Stelvio National park. One of the largest nature reserves in Europe, the Stelvio National Park extends from the Ortler Cevedale Mountains in South Tyrol to the Italian-speaking provinces of Trentino and Lombardy. To the northwest, it borders the National Park in Switzerland and the Parco dell’Adamello to the south. A short hike takes you to Switzerland to visit the Abbey of Saint John – an early medieval Benedictine monastery in Müstair. Because of its exceptionally well-preserved heritage of Carolingian art, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
- Walking for the day: approx. 4h, 10km, ↑450m ↓150m
- Accommodation: Chavalatsch or similar
Day 4: Taufers – Burgeis | 14km
Start your hike after a hearty breakfast. The tour leads past the ruins of Reichenberg Castle and Rotund Castle up to the Egghof farm. From there, you reach the Tella Alm in about an hour on a gravel path, then continue on a trail to the Tellajoch. Here, a viewing platform offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view.
- Walking for the day: approx. 6.5h, 14km, ↑1400m ↓900m
- Accommodation: Das Moriggl or similar
Day 5: Circular walk Burgeis | 11km
Enjoy a relaxing day of rest or embark on a beautiful loop tour past the Schliniger Alm to a roaring waterfall. Situated amidst some of the highest mountain giants, only a stone’s throw away from the Swiss border, the quaint hut Sesvenna Hütte awaits and tempts you to take a break. Explore the adventure path in the area before gliding leisurely by cable car back down into the valley.
- Walking for the day: approx. 4.5h, 11km, ↑650m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Das Moriggl or similar
Day 6: Burgeis – St. Valentin | 11km
Travel from Prämajur through shady forests to the Brugger Alm. Fresh homemade delicacies await you here, at 1,920m above sea level in the beautiful Zerzertal. Enjoy the view of the glacial world of the Ortler Mountains while descending to Plagöttan and St. Valentin for a stroll along Lake Haidersee.
- Walking for the day: approx. 4-4.5h, 11km, ↑650m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Stocker or similar
Day 7: St. Valentin – Mals | 11km
Today you will pass the Mals Heath (Malser Haide) – one of the largest ancient landslides and one of the most remarkable landscape features in the Alps. It is located in the Upper Vinschgau, where a broad pass (the Reschen Pass) crosses the main Alpine divide into the Inn Valley. It extends from Glurns via Laatsch, Schleis, and Burgeis up to Plawenn. Go uphill into the little mountain village of Planeil, and a short bus ride takes you back to the valley to Mals.
- Walking for the day: approx. 4h, 11km, ↑450m ↓350m
- Accommodation: Zum Hirschen or similar
Day 8: Departure or Extension
Departure on your own or extend your stay upon request (highly recommended!).
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a mix of 3-star hotels and country inns. We have carefully hand-picked all places, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel (from the ones pictured above) is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before), or you can stop on the way; there are plenty of beer gardens and small shops to satisfy your thirst and appetite. Dinners are available at all overnight accommodations or close by.
Difficulty and terrain
You will walk on well-maintained hiking paths along the typical Waalwege-paths and, in parts, also on forest roads. For the in parts longer ascents and walking times of up to 5-6.5h, a good basic fitness level is recommended. The stage on Day 4 can be cut short if needed, and for nearly all longer walks, there are always options available to cut the route short by bus/train (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available from June to September. Due to local transport schedules and transfer arrangements, departures are possible on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. The climate in the region is continental, cold and temperate. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but in the June-September period, the daily averages are 20 – 25C. Spring and autumn are cooler, with occasional rain.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice: Italy, Switzerland.
Click to view travel options
- By train to Landeck (North Tyrol) and by bus in approx. 2h to Mals (1x change). Orby train via Bolzano and Merano directly to Mals.
- Innsbruck or Munich airport.
- Parking: a limited number of hotel parking spaces and public parking spaces near the hotel, both free of charge. Guarded parking spaces at the train station, free of charge.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays as stated, breakfast included
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing
- 1 descent cable car in Watles
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Detailed travel and tour documents 1 per room (German, English)
- App for Navigation and GPS-data is available
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Bus fare (Schluderns – Glurns, Schlinig – Burgeis, Burgeis – Schlinig, Prämajur – Burgeis, Burgeis – Prämajur, Planeil – Mals), approx. EUR 10 per person
- Local tourist taxes
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the route are available upon request
- Transfers from/to Salzburg airport/train station on request
Gallery
