Meraner Höhenweg - Alta Via di Merano

The Meraner Höhenweg (Alta Via di Merano) is a 93-km loop trail in South Tyrol, Italy, circling the Texelgruppe massif and gaining roughly 6,000 m of elevation over about six days. Rated moderate, with one demanding high-alpine pass at the 2,895 m Eisjöchl, it threads orchards, alpine farms and glaciated peaks into one of the Alps' finest circular treks.

About the Meraner Höhenweg - Alta Via di Merano

The Meraner Höhenweg, signed throughout as route #24, is a complete circuit around the Texelgruppe, the largest nature park in South Tyrol (Alto Adige). Unlike point-to-point Alpine high routes, this 93-km loop begins and ends in the same valley, making it unusually easy to plan logistically — you can leave a car or return to the same train without arranging a shuttle. The trail wraps the mountains at an average altitude of around 1,400 m, balancing on the boundary between cultivated valley slopes and the wild rock-and-ice world above.

The route was the vision of Helmut Ellmenreich and was opened on 30 June 1985 after nearly ten years of construction, much of it carried out with the help of local marksman Robert Schönweger. Today it is maintained by the Alpenverein Südtirol (AVS), the South Tyrolean Alpine Club, and forms part of the Regional Walking Network (RWN) — a designated regional route rather than a single municipal path. The Texelgruppe Nature Park it encircles was established in 1976 and protects 333 square kilometres of high mountain terrain, including the famous Spronser Seen, the largest high-alpine lake group in the Eastern Alps.

The character of the walk splits cleanly in two. The northern section is genuinely high-alpine: it crosses the Eisjöchl pass at 2,895 m — the trail's highest point — and demands sure-footedness and a head for exposure. The southern section is gentler, traversing sunny terraced slopes, chestnut woods and a string of historic mountain farms (Schwaighöfe) high above the city of Merano. The lowest point, the Gruberhof in the Kalmtal, sits at just 839 m, giving the loop a total cumulative climb of around 6,000 m.

Route Overview & Stages

The loop is most commonly walked in six to eight day-stages of six to eight hours each. The breakdown below follows the classic AVS staging, starting from Katharinaberg in the Schnals valley and travelling the northern (high) half first, then closing the circuit along the southern (sunny) half. Distances are approximate; on this trail the elevation gain and walking time matter more than the kilometre count.

Many hikers split the final stage in two by overnighting at Giggleberg, turning the loop into a comfortable seven- or eight-day itinerary. A popular detour, the Spronser Seen variant (17 km, 1,200 m ascent, 6.5 h, topping out at the Spronser Joch at 2,581 m), adds a full day but rewards you with a cluster of glittering high-mountain lakes.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Eisjöchl (2,895 m) — the literal high point of the trek, a glaciated saddle between the Hohe Weiße and the Hohe Wilde peaks, often holding old snow even in midsummer.
• Stettiner Hütte (2,875 m) — the route's highest refuge, rebuilt after avalanche damage and staffed roughly July to September; a dramatic perch beneath the surrounding 3,000-m summits.
• Eishof (2,071 m) — one of the highest permanently inhabited farms in the Eastern Alps, deep in the wild Pfossental side valley.
• Texelgruppe Nature Park — the 333 km² protected area the whole loop encircles, home to ibex, chamois, golden eagles and the bearded vulture, reintroduced to the region.
• Spronser Seen — the largest high-alpine lake group in the Eastern Alps, reachable via the well-known variant; ten lakes scattered above 2,100 m.
• Hochganghaus — a classic mountain inn on the southern balcony, with sweeping views down to Merano and the Etsch (Adige) valley floor.
• Schwaighöfe (mountain farms) — historic high-altitude dairy farms strung along the sunny southern section, many serving home-cured speck, cheese and fresh bread.
• Partschinser Wasserfall — one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Alps, plunging near the village of Partschins close to the southwestern arc of the loop.

Best Time to Hike the Meraner Höhenweg - Alta Via di Merano

The single best month to walk the full loop is September. By then the snow has cleared from the Eisjöchl, the high huts are still open, summer thunderstorms are less frequent, daytime temperatures are pleasant for climbing, and the southern farms are heavy with ripening chestnuts and apples. As of 2026, the Stettiner Hütte and the high northern section are reliably passable from early July through late September, the window when the Eisjöchl is free of significant snow.

The southern half of the loop opens much earlier and closes much later — it is typically walkable from May through early November, since it stays below 1,600 m and faces the sun. If you only have a few days, the southern arc alone makes a superb spring or autumn outing. July and August bring the most stable weather but also the most crowded huts and a higher chance of afternoon thunderstorms; book refuges well ahead in those months. Avoid the high section before late June and after the first heavy October snowfall, when the Eisjöchl becomes a genuine winter undertaking.

Practical Information

Accommodation

You will not camp on this loop — South Tyrol prohibits wild camping above the valley floor, and the trail is designed around its huts and farms. Expect to stay in a mix of alpine refuges (Schutzhütten), mountain inns (Gasthöfe) and working farms offering rooms. A dormitory bunk in a hut such as the Stettiner Hütte runs roughly €25–35 per person for AVS/Alpine Club members and €40–55 for non-members; half-board (dinner plus breakfast) typically adds €25–35. In the valley villages of Pfelders, St. Martin and Naturns, a simple Gasthof double costs €70–110 per night. Always reserve high-altitude refuges in advance during July, August and September, as bunk space is limited.

Getting There & Back

The natural gateway is the spa town of Merano (Meran), served by frequent regional trains from Bolzano/Bozen (around 40 minutes), which in turn connects to the main Brenner railway line and to Verona and Innsbruck. The nearest major airports are Innsbruck (INN), about 1.5–2 hours by car or train, and Verona (VRN), roughly 2.5 hours away; Munich (MUC) is a common long-haul entry point at about 3.5 hours by road. From Merano, local SAD/Südtirol buses run up the Schnals valley to Katharinaberg (the usual start) and into the Passeier valley to Pfelders in well under an hour. Because the route is a loop, you return to your starting valley and the same bus or train.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike the Meraner Höhenweg, and there is no entry fee for the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Your only mandatory costs are accommodation and food. It is well worth joining the Alpenverein Südtirol or an affiliated Alpine Club before your trip: membership (around €60 per year) brings discounted hut rates, mountain-rescue insurance and reduced overnight fees that can recoup the cost within a few nights. Many South Tyrolean villages also issue a GuestCard through your accommodation, giving free use of regional buses and trains.

Gear & Packing List

This is a hut-to-hut trek, so you can travel relatively light — no tent, no stove, no heavy food stores. A pack in the 35–55 litre range is ideal. For the northern high section a comfortable, supportive load-carrier such as the Atmos AG 50 handles the longer mountain days well, while ultralight walkers prioritising the gentler southern stages will appreciate the 2400 Windrider or, for a more durable hiking-focused option, the Abisko Hike 35. If you are still deciding on a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven models tested side by side.

Essentials for the high pass include sturdy B-rated hiking boots, trekking poles for the long descents, a warm midlayer and a windproof shell — the Eisjöchl can be near freezing even in August. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water capacity, sun protection, and a small first-aid kit. Because the huts serve hearty meals, your food planning is lighter than on a self-supported trek, but you should still carry trail snacks for the six-to-eight-hour days; our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you judge how much to pack between huts. For full route notes from the official authority, see the Alpenverein Südtirol and the regional tourism portal South Tyrol — Meraner Höhenweg.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high passes and hut culture of the Meraner Höhenweg appeal to you, the Dolomites just to the east offer some of the most celebrated long-distance Alta Vie in Europe. These routes share the same hut-to-hut rhythm and dramatic limestone scenery, though several are longer and tougher than the Meraner loop.

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a contrast outside the Alps, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers a wilder, lower-cost taste of high-mountain trekking in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Meraner Höhenweg?
September is the ideal month for the full loop: the Eisjöchl pass is free of snow, the high huts are still open, and afternoon thunderstorms are less frequent than in midsummer. The southern half stays walkable from May to early November, so spring and autumn are excellent for a shorter outing on the lower, sunnier section.

How difficult is the Meraner Höhenweg?
Overall it is rated moderate, but the two halves differ sharply. The southern section is a comfortable balcony walk on good paths. The northern section is genuinely high-alpine, crossing the 2,895 m Eisjöchl with exposed, sometimes snow-covered terrain that demands sure-footedness and a head for heights. Fit hikers with basic mountain experience manage it well.

How far is each day on the Meraner Höhenweg?
Daily stages run roughly 9 to 19 km and take six to eight hours of walking, with around 250 to 900 m of climbing per day. Most people complete the 93-km loop in six to eight days. Splitting the long final stage at Giggleberg keeps the daily effort manageable and turns the circuit into a relaxed week-long trek.

Where do you sleep on the Meraner Höhenweg?
You stay in a mix of alpine refuges, mountain inns and working farms — there is no wild camping. Hut dormitory bunks cost about €25–35 for Alpine Club members and €40–55 for non-members, with half-board adding €25–35. Valley Gasthof rooms run €70–110. Reserve high refuges like the Stettiner Hütte well ahead in summer.

Do you need a permit for the Meraner Höhenweg?
No permit is required, and there is no fee to enter the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Your only costs are accommodation and meals. Joining the Alpenverein Südtirol or an affiliated Alpine Club (around €60 per year) earns discounted hut rates and includes mountain-rescue insurance, which usually pays for itself over a multi-day trip.