en
Pension Mitterhofer

Summer in Verdines

Your summer holiday in Merano and environs in South Tyrol
Take a hike to the Ifinger/Ivigna peak, our “local mountain“, or to the Hirzer mountain. Cycle along the forest roads and bike paths in the valley, discover the Monte Scena mountain on your e-bike, splash around in the crystal-clear pools of the Scena Panoramic Swimming Pool or take a cultural trip to the spa town of Merano… Are you ready for your next summer holiday in the area of Merano and Environs?

Hiking paradise in the Merano region

Mountain tours in Verdines and surroundings
Fancy a hike around Merano? From easy walks on the Waalwege trails to challenging hikes on steep slopes on the way to the summit or on mountain paths along alpine pastures… Our hotel Garni at 940 m above sea level is the perfect starting point for panoramic hikes in the Talle-Hirzer and Merano 2000 hiking area as well as for challenging tours to the Hirzer mountain or to the Ivigna peak. If you prefer a more leisurely hike, you can take the cable car for the first part of the tour and then stroll comfortably up to the alpine pastures, where you can enjoy South Tyrolean culinary delights in the traditional mountain huts.

Hikings tips

For families
The trail of legends in Scena is an experience for young and old

The trail of legends in Scena

Along the Wiesenweg meadow trail, in a wooded area between the Thurnerhof farmstead and Schenna Castle, you’ll encounter some unexpected legends. Wandering along the path over sticks and stones, the kids really come to life when they come across these carved figures.
The half-light filtering down into the chestnut forest, the branches crack underfoot and there’s sound of rustling in the undergrowth. The adventure begins at Thurnerhof, where an ancient, hollowed out “Keschtbam” (chestnut tree, in South Tyrolean) conjures up games of ‘hide-and-seek’. Just the kind of place where timid forest fairies and mischievous trolls would hang out.
Stefan took six legendary figures from the Scena/Schenna village book as his subjects. Among these are: St. Oswald under the Ifinger mountain (St. Oswald unterm Ifinger), The Nörggele elve from Talle (Das Taller Nörggele) and the Devil fetching the perjurer (Der Teufel holt den Meineidigen).
Some of his sculptures might be quite scary – even macabre, and less suited to younger children. But the kids always seem to enjoy them, reacting and projecting onto them in different ways, sometimes even inventing their own story around them.

Distance: 2 km
Duration: 1 h
From the cable car on a wide forest path to the Hirzerhütte

Alpine hike to Hirzerhütte and Gompm Alm mountain huts

Family-friendly, scenically rewarding route via numerous serviced mountain huts, that welcome hikers wanting to linger over a snack and a drink. A lovely varied hike for those who love quieter trails.
The first part of this route is via cable car from Saltusio to Klammeben. Here, the circular hike on trail no. 40, which is also popular with children, leads after a short downhill / uphill section to the Hirzerhütte mountain inn. Next the trail leads across the meadows downhill again to the idyllic location of the Gompm Alm mountain hut. After a break in the hut, the route continues along an almost flat section to the Grube inn. Here it is possible to descend to either Oberkirn or Prenn.
As an alternative, proceed via Scena to Verdins, take the cable car and then the chair lift Talle-Grube. From the mountain station it takes about 30 minutes to reach Klammeben by foot.

Distance: 3.8 km
Duration 1:30 h
Family excursion on the Taser Höhenweg to Gsteier

Towards Gsteier Farm via the Taser High Route

Starting from the Taser Cable Car mountain station, follow the Taser High Route to Greitererhof Farm. Continue on the dirt path towards Egger Farm, where a breathtaking view over Scena, Merano and the valley awaits you. Continue on the High Route up and down through forests and clearings until you reach Gsteier Farm. We recommend you take the Merano 2000 Cable Car from the mid-station just below the Inn to get back to the valley - just below the Gsteier Farm.
The Gsteier’s stable has a little museum on local farming life: Discover antique sheep shears, yokes, and sewing machines!

Distance: 6.8 km
Duration: 2:30 h
The Hintereggalm can be reached on foot or by bike

Hintereggeralm: The trail of the Norgg on the Rotmoos alpine pasture

Follow the gravel path starting from the Hirzer Cable Car mountain station until you reach Hirzerhütte Cabin. Almenweg Path (sign-posted as trail no. 2B) ascends over a small ridge to the Rotmoos: a wide and level meadow, ideal for playing, exploring and picnicking. Continue on the path towards Mahdalm and Hintereggalm and follow the European long-distance path no. E5 back to the Hirzer Cable Car.
Children can play on the natural playground or by the little mountain brook near the farmhouse. In addition, there is a petting zoo here with pygmy goats, dwarf rabbits and runner ducks.

Distance: 6.8 km
Duration: 2:30 h
Excursion to the petting zoo on the Taser Alm

A day at the Taser Alm

Take the Taser Cable Car to the Taser Alm, located at an altitude of 1,450 meters. The Taser Alm Cabin features various adventure playgrounds, a high rope course, archery, an Indian village, and a little mountain zoo with goats, lamas, alpacas, guinea pigs, ponies and rabbits. From the resort you can go for numerous hikes and walks. Or you can just spend a wonderful day at the Taser enjoying the wonderful traditional cuisine and the breathtaking view!
There is also plenty to do for older kids: An archery range (bow and arrow rental at the Taser Alm’s front desk) and a high rope course (min. height of 1.30 m) await you! Reservation required: phone no. +39 0473 945 615.
From the Taser Alm you can also hike on path no. 18A to the Ifingerhütte in 1.5 hours. The hut is in a very beautiful location with a great view of Schenna's local mountain. The hut is very child-friendly with a big playground and bowling alley. For the parents there is a nice lawn with sun loungers and umbrella tables.

Summit tours

The mountain tour on the Lauwand is possible early in spring

Lauwand 2255m

From the mountain station of the Taser cable car, follow path no. 18A over meadow slopes and forests, rising slightly to the Ifingerhütte, where delicious South Tyrolean dishes are served. Then take path no. 24A in the direction of Lenzeben and after a good hour's walk over path no. 24 up to the Lauwandspitze. It goes down again on the same path on No. 24 to Lenzeben, a beautiful clearing with a small farmhouse (not managed). Finally, you cross path no. 40 (Taserhöhenweg) and follow it again in the direction of the Taser mountain station, past the Egger and Greiterer mountain inn.

Distance: 11.1 km
Duration: 4:40 hours
Ascent: 932 m
On via ferrata Heini-Holzer up to the Ifinger

Ivigna 2581m

From Piffinger Köpfl, which can be reached with the Merano 2000 cable car, you can walk comfortably along the wide path no. 3 in the direction of Waidmann-Alm (signposted). Shortly before the alpine hut you reach the mountain station of the chair lift (which is operational only in winter) and follow path no. 19A upwards, past the St. Oswald Chapel, into the flat depression and on to the Kuhleiten Hut. The path now becomes a narrow climb and leads relatively steeply up the grass ridge to the junction to the Großer Ifinger. The path begins with a north-facing traverse; in early summer there is often residual snow there. Special care is then required until the first safety devices are reached (difficulty A). This is followed by a short stretch of walking terrain with a few short sections of easy climbing (maximum difficulty level I), then the now steeper ascent is secured again (difficulty A / B) and you soon reach the summit via simple rocky terrain. The descent is the same way.
As an alternative, you can branch off to the left approx. 100 m before the chairlift station (only winter operation) and follow signs for Kuhleiten hut and Ifinger. A narrow path leads relatively laboriously over the steep grass slope of the Kleiner Ifinger up to the vicinity of the Kuhleiten hut. You meet the normal ascent path to the Kleiner Ifinger and continue to the left.

Distance: 9.8 km
Duration: 4:00 h
Ascent: 750 m
Sunrise hike to the Hirzer

Punta Cervina 2781m

On the high plateau from the Klammeben cableway mountain station as far as the Tallner Alm mountain pasture to the northeast, lies a wide basin surrounded by scenic mountain meadows (#40A).
At the Tallner Alm refuge, turn right (eastwards) and follow the Gebirgsjägersteig trail (E5). Initially this passes through a grassy basin and then on a steep gradient across a scree and some rocky outcrops to the Obere Scharte (E5) at the bottom of the ridge.
From the side of the ridge facing the Sarntal Valley, turn left (northeast) descending down rocks and scree from the summit. Then exit the E5 and bend left taking a wide arc across several hairpin bends up to the top of the Hirzer mountain (#7).
From there, return via #7 to the Obere Scharte on the ridge. Then follow the Gebirgsjägersteig trail (E5) downhill on a steep gradient over scree and rocky outcrops to the Tallner Alm refuge (E5). From there, continue along #40a to reach the Klammeben upper cableway station.

Distance: 6.9 km
Duration: 4:30 h
Ascent: 885 m

Walks

On the sunny Mitterplatt path you can go to Merano

On Mitterplatt Path towards Merano

Follow the pleasant Mitterplatt Path, starting from Scena towards the public pool just outside of town. Walking through Tschoigassl Alley, you pass by Oberhasler Farm and reach Planta Castle. From there, you take Schönblick Street and Vergil Street, crossing Passer River over Lazagsteig Bridge. You reach the center of Merano/Meran by following the shaded Gilf Promenade. Walking with a baby buggy? On two occasions, you will need to lift the buggy over stairs.

Distance: 4.4 km
Duration: 1:20 h
Fai un'escursione al Mahdalm con incontri con animali

Hike to the Mahdalm mountain meadow

Take the cable car in Verdins and adjacent chairlift up to Grube. The level path, post-signed as trail no. 2, leads through the forest to the Gompm Alm. From there, the path (sign-posted as trail no. 4) ascends gently through beautiful alpine meadows before reaching the Mahdalm. On the way back, follow the European long-distance path E5 to Hirzerhütte and Klammeben, where trail no. 8A leads back to the chairlift Talle-Grube. The chairlift is only suitable for one person at a time. Children under 8 years of age can only ride on the lap of an adult.
Well worth a taste: The Mahdalm’s farmers produce their own buttermilk, butter, cream cheese and Tyrolean Grey Cheese from the milk of their five cows.

Distance: 8.3 km
Duration: 3 h
Hike Hike along the "Waal" to the Streitweider Alm

Hike to Streitweide Cabin

Follow Taser High Route starting from Taser Cable Car mountain station. Passing the little Taser church, you walk into the forested valley. Shortly before reaching the end of the valley, the trail ascends to the meadow of Streitweide. A gravel road (sign-posted as trail nr. 19) descends down to Verdins, passing Hofer Farm.
At the Streitweide a great playground, a lawn and sheep are waiting for you! Live music every Wednesday from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm.

Distance: 8.7 km
Duration: 3 h
Take a leisurely stroll on the Tappeinerweg

Tappeiner Promenade

One of the most famous paths in Merano is doubtlessly the Tappeiner Promenade (Tappeinerweg), which takes promenaders from the city centre along the hillside of Monte di Merano (Küchelberg). Moreover it is one of the most beautiful high promenades all over Europe, offering a mixture of Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation, combined with a fantastic panoramic view. Pines, cedars, olive trees, eucalyptus, bamboo, magnolias, agaves, aloes and prickly pears astonish promenaders.
The promenade takes its course from the Merano parish church to Quarazze and is 3 km long. As it does not present hardly any difference in altitude, it is suitable for less exercised promenaders and prams. Due to the fantastic view it offers, it is also called "gallery" or "crown" of Merano and surroundings. However, Merano owes this promenade to the doctor, botanist and anthropologist Dr. Franz Tappeiner from Lasa in Val Venosta, which also gave the name to this path, running some 100 m above the roofs of Merano.

Distance: 6.1 km
Duration: 1:30 h

Biking

What could be nicer than exploring the surrounding area by mountain bike or e-bike? In the vicinity of our guesthouse, you can bike on comfortable cycle paths, asphalt roads, shady forest trails, challenging climbs or flowing single trails. Pleasure cyclists and families can find many attractions and pit stops on the idyllic Val Passiria Cycle Path, while mountain bikers and e-bike enthusiasts can enjoy exciting bike tours to alpine pastures, to the peaks of the Monte Scena mountain and to Merano 2000. Once at the top, a breathtaking view of the city of Merano and the surrounding mountains awaits you. Road cyclists also get their money's worth in the Merano region: in particular, the Passo Rombo/Timmelsjoch with its 44 hairpin bends and high snow walls in early summer and the Passo Giovo/Jaufenpass are very popular not only with bike professionals but also beginners. So get in the saddle and enjoy your holiday!
Bike tours in our surroundings

Bike tours

Cycling across Val Passiria

This cycle path takes cyclists past the villages of the Val Passiria along the Passirio river.
Largely plain and and otherwise slightly upward you can enjoy cycling on the Val Passiria cycle path, pedalling across the great landscape of the Val Passiria valley. Far away from roads and traffic, and steadily accompanied by the refreshing Passirio river. Starting point of this cycling path is Merano: right before the bridge which connects the Val Passiria with Merano we turn right and this is where the cycle path starts, leading up to S. Leonardo in Passiria.
Along the left riverside we cycle to the idyllic village of Rifiano and further on to Saltusio below the Cervina funicular. We cycle past the golf course and past the village of painters, which is S. Martino. We cross a roofed bridge and proceed to S. Leonardo. This is also where the MuseumPasseier is located, featuring numerous treasures regarding the history of the valley. Really worth a visit!

Time required: 01:30 h
Track length: 19.1 km
Altitude: from 309 m to 656 m a.m.s.l.
Altitude difference: +352 m | -9 m
Promising bike tour to Lake Reschen

Val Venosta bicycle track

The Val Venosta bicycle track from Passo Resia to Merano is a beautiful and varied section of the Via-Claudia-Augusta bicycle track.
The Val Venosta bicycle track, which runs along the Adige river from Passo Resia to Merano, forms a part ot the Via-Claudia-Augusta bicycle track. We start our tour in the village of Malles right under the mountain pass.
In order to reach our starting point at 1,050 metres a.s.l., we take the Val Venosta train from Merano (we can take our bike with us, see „Bicycle & Train“) to Malles. Arrived in Malles, we follow the main road down to the small medieval city of Glorenza, which is very worth to be visited!
After Glorenza, we turn right into the bicycle track along the Adige river, which leads us into the „Prader Sand“ biotope. We continue our bicycle tour on country trails leading towards east.
In Castelbello the Val Venosta gets warmer and we see the first vineyards. Castelbello Castle can be seen very good from the bicycle track. We pass the entrance of the beautiful Val Senales and the village of Naturno.
Passing the villages of Plaus and Parcines we arrive at the small locality Tel, where we turn left and cycle downwards to Lagundo and finally Merano.
With the impressive walls of Mount Ortles and the sunny slopes of Monte Sole, the Stelvio national park and the fruit orchards and vineyards, the Val Venosta bicycle track offers a very beautiful and varied landscape.
Merano is the destination of this route, but once you arrive at the Maia Bassa railway station (or, alternatively, in Merano's city centre), you can also continue towards Bolzano, following the Adige cycle path.

Time required: 03:50 h
Track length: 61.2 km
Altitude: from 289 m to 998 m a.m.s.l.
Altitude difference: +39 m | -742 m

MTB tour Leadner, Verano and Wurzer mountain huts

On this mountain bike round tour we pass and discover three mountain huts in the surroundings of Avelengo.
We start our tour at the parking space under the parish church in the centre of Avelengo. From here, we follow trail n° 16 (Hinterdorfweg) towards the Leadner mountain hut (Leadner Alm). Soon the asphalted road turns into a very well maintained forest road with some short steeper but still easy sections.
After about 40 minutes we reach the Leadner mountain hut at 1,520 m a.s.l. and have a nice cup of coffee. Afterwards, we continue our mountain bike tour on a forest road towards the Verano mountain hut (Vöraner Alm) at 1,900 m a.s.l., where we arrive after about half an hour.
From here, we cycle down to the Wurzer mountain hut (Wurzer Alm). After the first bend we branch off right into trail no. 2. On this rather stony and rooty section through the forest we can either cycle carefully or chose to carry our bikes. Either way, we soon reach another easy-to-cycle forest road. Passing the Wurzer mountain hut (1,707 m a.s.l.), we cycle back down to Avelengo on trail no. 2A.

Time required: 02:00 h
Track length: 17.1 km
Altitude: from 1.276 m to 1.876 m a.m.s.l.
Altitude difference: +632 m | -632 m

Motorbike

The sun is shining and the asphalt is hot - summer is here! So let’s get out our motorbikes and head for the South Tyrolean mountain passes! The Garni Mitterhofer is the ideal starting point for endless riding fun. In our vicinity there are many impressive mountain pass roads that every motorcyclist should ride at least once in his/her life. In particular, the Passo Rombo/Timmelsjoch, the Passo Giovo/Jaufenpass, the Passo Palade/Gampenpass and the second highest pass in the Alps - the famous Passo Stelvio/Stilfserjoch – are worth discovering. Another highly recommended tour leads fist over the Dolomites and then to Lake Garda with its enticing Mediterranean flair. Well then, get on your motorbike and explore South Tyrol!
Exciting motorbike tours in South Tyrol