Hiking trips

Val Senales is a true paradise for hiking trips, as this valley is included in the famous Gruppo del Tessa natural park (Italian: Parco Naturale del Gruppo del Tessa, German: Naturpark Texelgruppe), characterized by an astonishing landscapes variety, from the palms in the Merano plain till eternal snows. Mountains Holidays another possibility of hiking trips Val Senales is the Merano High Mountain Trail (Italian: Alta Via di Merano, German: Meraner Höhenweg). This track is 100km long and it can be covered from 4 till 6 days. This hiking path was used in the Sixties by smugglers. Children hiking trips are also available here; children are accompanied by expert and certified mountain guides and qualified personnel. Children hiking trips in Val Senales also include ArcheoPark visits, adventures by the fire and fruit or mushrooms picking, to explore the mountains having fun at the same time!

Hiking trips ideas

 “Bellavista ” Mountain refuge

Duration: 4 hours

Altitude: 2011 meters

Difference in height: 1001 meters

Departure: Maso Corto

Arrival: Rifugio Bellavista

Hiking trip information: the departure point is the #3 archaeological path, leading to the Bella Vista mountain refuge (German: Schöne Aussicht), from which you can enjoy a wonderful panorama on the mountains signaling the border between Italy and Austria. Hikers which still have forces can continue till Giogo Alto (German: Hochjoch) or till the Hintereisferner glacier.

“Val di Fosse Shepherds’ Huts” Nature track

Duration: 4-5 hours

Altitude: 2000 meters

Difference in height: 1202 meters

Departure: Casera di Fuori car park (German: Vorderkaser)

Arrival: Maso Gelato (German: Eishof)

Hiking trip information: the departure point is the Casera di Fuori car park; following the forest road you reach Casera di Mezzo (German: Mitterkaser); the reference point is a model of butter churn; it shows the butter production. After 15 minutes, you reach the Rableid mountain refuge, where it’s possible to see ibexes as well. If you go on still 30 minutes, you reach Maso Gelato, where you can enjoy a breath-taking panorama on the Cima Altissima (German: Hochwilde).

Lago Vernago

Duration: 2 hours

Altitude: 1700 meters

Difference in height: 750 meters

Departure:Vernago al lago

Arrival: Vernago al lago

Hiking trip information: the departure point is the parking lot in front of the Vernago church, following the “Seerundweg” indications. The path is easy but prams and buggies couldn’t cover it. Even if the path is easy, it’s possible to see water falls and lamas as well. They aren’t ferocious animals if not provoked; it’s better not to look at them directly in their eyes…if not, they would spit. It’s possible also to see Tibetan bridges here; people who feel like it, can continue to the Similaun mountain refuge (3019 meters, three hours of walking), where Ötzi was found.

Mother Mary Meditative Path

Duration: 1 hours

Altitude: 1508 meters

Difference in height: 166 meters

Departure: Certosa

Arrival: Madonna di Senales

Hiking trip information: it’s very easy path which links up Certosa and Madonna di Senales; it crosses a larches wood and here are represented 5 episodes of the Mother Mary life. Her life scenes were sculpted in wood by local artists.

Castel Juval

Duration: 1 hours

Altitude: 900 meters

Difference in height: 219 meters

Departure: Rattisio Vecchio

Arrival: Castel Juval

Hiking trip information: Rattisio Vecchio (German: Altratheis) is the departure point. Follow the #3 path along the Senaleswaals in Ciardes (German: Tschars) towards Castel Juval. At the crossroad, turn left towards Waalerhausl; another point of reference is the Sonnenhof hotel, reachable thanks to a tunnel excavated in the mountain. A cobbled path leads to Castel Juval (German: Schloss Juval). It’s possible to come back also thanks to a Waalweg, the old Val Venosta water channels.