Italy - Family walking holiday from South Tyrol to the Dolomites
- Hiking holiday for the whole family in South Tyrol -
Walk from Reschen to Merano - suitable for everyone, regardless of shoe size!
Enjoy a walk in the sun as you pass fragrant apple orchards, vineyards and stunning views of the high peaks of the Ötztal and Ortler Alps. In South Tyrol the sun shines over 300 days a year! It's not just the impressive views of South Tyrol's largest national park, but also the distinctive irrigation channels that make this tour of South Tyrol a great family outing. 'Waalwege' or water canal paths are popular family trails because they run alongside streams and are not very steep. In the past, their purpose was to water the meadows of South Tyrol. They provide a lot of fun for children because the irrigation channels and large waterways shower and give rise to a lot of water play during the walks.
When you're not walking along the shady paths, many adventures await: permanent rope paths, lakes, adventure trails and exciting museums. Family hiking in South Tyrol - a fun holiday for all shoe sizes.
About the route
We recommend that children are at least 8 years old to complete this tour. There are also younger children who will be able to do the tour, but it is up to the parents to assess if the tour is suitable for your particular child. It is important that everyone has a good basic level of fitness and is able to hike for a few hours at a time. The route consists of well-established hiking trails, often along irrigation channels. Parts of the route are on tarmac roads and walks can be shortened by using public transport.
Dog on the tour
It is possible to bring your dog on this trip. When you book the trip, just describe your dog's size (shoulder height) and breed in the message field and we will make sure that you stay only in hotels where your dog can join you. Please note that there may be additional costs associated with bringing a dog and these costs are paid directly to the hotels.
Highlights of the tour
- Most hikes follow water channels - suitable for families
- Walk through apple orchards and lush vineyards
- Sparkling lakes and big mountains
- Paths with lots of information about the mythological world of South Tyrol
Great things about this tour
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
Welcome to Vinschgau! The steel blue lake Reschen and the famous tower sticking out of the water will make you feel welcome. Not only kitesurfers and other water sports fanatics roam this very inviting lake. Enjoy the first hours in this border triangle region in the sun and take in the mountain views before you start hiking through the lush green South Tyrol tomorrow.
Hotel (example): Hotel Panorama 2000
Take a walk along the magnificent glistening Reschen Lake and enjoy the sight of the former church tower jutting out of the water. Continue through St. Valentin, where you can take a detour along the trails of the Talai Forest, where treasure hunts are organised. Afterwards, continue walking along Lake Haider and by doing so, you can see the many ducks swimming in the lake from secluded spots. From the south side, continue along the Adige River until you reach Burgeis.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: approx. 15km
↑ 230 m ↓ 500 m
Hotel (example): Das Moriggl
Walk along the 'Sonnensteig', an exciting irrigation canal path, where you can learn a lot about the mythological world of Vinschgau. As you hike, enjoy the backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks. You walk high above Mals along the 'Malser Oberwaal', and you walk via Tartscher Bichl to "Ganglegg". Discover the most explored cave settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages in the Alps. At the end of the day you cross impressive bridges and wooden stairs over the gorge, which leads you to today's destination, Schluderns. When you arrive, it's worth checking out the archaeological finds from Ganglegg in the Vinschgau Museum.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Distance: approx. 10km
↑ 150 m ↓ 420 m
Hotel (example): Hotel Saldur
You start today with a journey on the Vinschgaubahn, which takes you through the colourful landscape of South Tyrol to Kastelbell. From there you walk on the Schnalser Waalweg in the shade of the trees. You walk via Kastelbell towards Juval Palace, owned by one of the most famous mountaineers, Reinhold Messner. Of course you have time to walk through the palace. Afterwards, the tour heads uphill to Naturns along windswept paths.
Journey time: approx. 40 minutes
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
Distance approx. 13km
↑ 200 m ↓ 320 m
Hotel (example): Hotel Kleinkunst
Take a trip to Naturns Water Park with giant water slides. It's a great way to cool off before continuing your hike. You'll walk along the 'Schlossweg' (palace path) where you can enjoy yet more stunning views - this time at Naturns. Then you walk along the panoramic path 'Sonnenberger'. As the name suggests, you get a great view of large orchards in the valley, while the sun is in your face. The day ends in a pleasant and adventurous way via a suspension bridge to Partschins. This is the gateway to the Texelgruppe, South Tyrol's largest nature park.
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: approx. 9km
↑ 190 m ↓ 130 m
Hotel (example): Hotel Botango
Today you start walking along the 'Bergbach' up to the 'Sagenweg' (legendary path), which is an exciting exploration path where you can again learn a lot about the mystical and mythological world of Vinschgau. Then you walk through fragrant apple orchards and vineyards along one of the various forest paths of the Algunder Waalweg. Follow the quiet and undulating Waalweg past several vineyards and enjoy the view of the Adige Valley. Above the city, walk along the world-famous Tappeiner promenade, where palm trees and cacti grow, before arriving at today's destination and the end of the tour - the centre of Merano.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Distance: approx. 10km
↑ 90 m ↓ 380 m
Hotel (example): Hotel Flora
The journey is now over and it's time to go home or further out into the world. If you would like to stay an extra night in the last hotel of the tour, this is certainly possible. Simply contact us.
Price includes
- 6 nights in 3-star hotels or guesthouses
- Breakfast every day
- Ticket for Vinschgaubahn from Schluderns to Kastelbell
- Vinschgau-Card with many activities and attractions
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Italy
- Handling fee (€20)
- Local tourist taxes (if necessary)
- optional: Transfer back to the first hotel after the tour
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. If you travel alone a single room is necessary.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Innsbruck, Munich or Verona are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
On this tour you will be accommodated in 3-star hotels with breakfast included.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This tour has difficulty grade 1.
Grade 1
Easy hikes that anyone with good health can do. Short hikes of 2-4 hours a day. The paths are in good conditions and mainly flat, and luggage is transported. Requires no special equipment.
Read more about our Grading System
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Or write to us at
Get a quote
Didn't find what you were looking for? We will be happy to send you a custom quote.
Fill out your wishes, and we will send you a quote on your next holiday.
×Get our Newsletter
We write about active holidays, contests and good travel tips
Contact us ×
You are more than welcome to contact us if you have questions about anything.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]