Out Exploring
Places to Visit in the Merano Region and South Tyrol
From PINEA Garden Aparthotel Merano, you can set off on excursions to discover some of South Tyrol’s most impressive destinations. Venture up to panoramic high plateaus, explore unspoilt valleys or visit castles, museums and iconic natural landscapes. Many places can be reached on a day trip, offering a glimpse of the remarkable diversity of the region between Merano, the Val Venosta and the provincial capital, Bolzano.
Sometimes the mountains take centre stage; at other times, it is history, culture or simply a place worth lingering a little longer. Here, you’ll find a hand-picked selection of destinations for days when you feel like venturing a little further afield.
The Merano 2000 cable car takes you up to the Merano 2000 high plateau in just a few minutes. Whether you prefer easy trails leading to welcoming mountain huts, more challenging mountain hikes or a day enjoying far-reaching views stretching all the way to the Dolomites, this sunny high plateau is an attractive destination in every season and is particularly close to the PINEA Garden Aparthotel Merano.
Perched high above the Merano valley basin, Tyrol Castle is the ancestral seat of the Counts of Tyrol, from whom the region takes its name. Today, the castle houses the South Tyrol Museum of Cultural and Regional History. The scenic walk up through the village of Tirolo and the panoramic views over Merano make the visit well worthwhile.
A cinema without a screen: on the Rotsteinkogel mountain above Vöran, open-air seating invites visitors to sit back and enjoy a show in which the panorama itself takes centre stage. The views stretch across the Adige Valley and the surrounding mountains, all the way to the Dolomites. This open-air cinema can be combined with a hike across the Tschögglberg plateau.
Car-free and wonderfully unspoilt, Vigiljoch lies above Lana. A cable car takes you up to Lana’s local mountain, where trails wind through meadows and larch forests. Numerous mountain huts and sweeping panoramic views stretching all the way to the Dolomites make Vigiljoch an ideal destination for a peaceful day in the mountains.
From Lana, the Ultimo Valley leads deep into an unspoilt Alpine landscape, offering a glimpse of traditional South Tyrolean mountain life. Near St Gertraud, three magnificent ancient larch trees stand as natural landmarks, estimated to be around 2,000 years old.
From Merano, the Passeier Valley follows the Passer River up towards the Timmelsjoch mountain pass. One of the highlights is the Passeier Gorge Trail, which winds through the dramatic river landscape between St Leonhard and Moos.
A day in Bolzano combines the charm of the historic old town with a rich cultural experience. At the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, you can discover Ötzi, the Iceman who lived more than 5,000 years ago. Afterwards, take time to explore the historic arcades, visit the fruit market or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the old town.
The cable car from Bolzano takes you up to the Renon plateau. At the top, the historic narrow-gauge railway connects several villages across the plateau. The striking earth pyramids and magnificent views of the Dolomites make this popular summer retreat a varied and rewarding destination for a day trip.
As a side valley of the Vinschgau Valley, the Martell Valley extends deep into the Stelvio National Park. Waterfalls and the glaciated high-alpine landscape of the Ortler mountain group define the valley’s character. The Plima Gorge Trail, in the upper Martell Valley, is particularly popular with visitors.
The church tower of the submerged village of Alt-Graun, rising dramatically from the water, is one of South Tyrol’s most iconic sights. The journey to Lake Reschen takes you through the Vinschgau Valley towards the Austrian border and can easily be extended into a full-day excursion.
