Welcome to Hooked on Walking Holidays and our walking holidays in Austria. This particular hiking vacation is in the South Tyrol region of Austria. This walking holiday in South Tyrol is available as a level 2-3 self guided tour. The walking trail Via Claudia Augusta once was a cultural and trading route of the Roman Empire.This first true road across the Alps was built by Emperor Claudius to connect Adriatic sea port Altinum with the Danube. On your tour through the South Tyrol region you investigate the most beautiful parts of Via Claudia, lovely paths with marvellous mountain panorama, dotted by magnificent vineyards and orchards, unspoilt air and nature. The cultural aspect is covered with many fortresses and castles along the way, the Mountain Museum by Reinhold Messner and as crowning highlight in the end the Mediterranean Spa town of Meran.

6 and 8 night tour available
6 nights available Sundays from 22nd April to 16th October
8 nights available Saturdays from 22nd April to 16th October
Level 2-3 self guided walking tour
 

Day 1 Individual journey to Reschen

Day 2 Reschen - Burgeis
First, along Reschensee reservoir and to Graun, where you will find the best known camera motive of Vinschau: the flooded spire of Gaun. The route runs past the Haidersee and along the largest alluvial fan of the Alps. It extends from the Plawenn Alps to the 1.100 m deeper Glurns and is covered with lush pastures, hence the name "Malser Haide". You walk along an old irrigation channel to Burgeis, overlooking the impressive monastery of Marienberg. Walking time: about 4.5 to 5.5 hours.

Day 3 Burgeis – Schluderns
Walk along the Sonnensteig path, a newly created theme path with wooden sculptures from the Vinschgauer mythology and, above all with fantastic views of the snowy mountain peaks. High above town Mals, with its many towers, it goes over the Tartscher Bichl past "Ganglegg", the historic archaeological site from the Bronze and Iron Age to Schluderns, with the most powerful and best-preserved castles in South Tyrol. Time: about 4 to 5 hours.

Day 4 Schluderns – Schlanders approx. 5 to 6 hours up/down 850m /1030m, 11.6 miles
18.5 km
At the foot of the Sonnberg your walking starts and continues following through dense forests via Laas which is well known for the white marble. You later reach the orchards of Vinschgau, apple trees as far as the eyes can see.

Day 5 Schlanders – Naturns approx. 6 to 6.5 hours. up/down 900m /1110 m, 14 miles 22.5 km
Today you walk through the fruit orchard of Vinschgau. Along the Latschander Waal path you walk to Kastelbell. Visit the exhibition on Via Claudia. Continue on the archaeological path that reaches almost to Messners castle Juval, high above the valley. Then you zigzag downhill until you reach Naturns.

Day 6 Naturns - Meran approx. 4.5 to 5 hours. up/down  620m /805 m, 9 miles 14.5 km
High up in the mountains you continue following the Rablander Waal path through forests passing mountain farms and always accompanied by stunning views of the Vinschgau valley. You then follow Partschinser and Algunder Waal path down into the Meraner basin. If you have tired muscles relax in the thermal spa.

Day 7 Meran – Nals approx. 5.5 to 6.5 hrs Up: 900 m / Down: 950 m, 13.4 miles 21.5 km.
Today you walk on the Marlinger Waal path, the longest Waal of South Tyrol where you walk into the apple growing centre of Lana. On your way you will enjoy lovely views on Meran and the Adige valley to Bolzano. Pass through light forests up to Tisens, well known for the sweet chestnuts. During the second part of this path many ancient fortresses are passed: Nals with Stachelburg, Schwanburg and fortress Payrsberg. Individual journey home from Meran for the 6 night tour.

Day 8 Nals – Region Lake Kalterer See approx. 5.5 to 6.5 hrs. up/down 780m/660 m, 12.1 miles  19.5 km.
Walk past castles and fortresses today, through pictures postcard wine growing communities such as Missian and St. Pauls. You walk along the Three Fortress Route and continue via St. Michael through extensive vineyards until you reach the beautiful Lake Kalterer See.

Day 9 Individual journey home.

Accommodation: 3 star hotels and country inns.

Difficulty: You walk mainly on good walking paths, often on the so called Waal paths, ancient water systems. The paths are easy to walk, the route is undulating through lovely countryside, dotted with orchards and vineyards. Longer ascents only occur on two days. We recommend a good basic fitness for walking days of up to 6.5 hours. Short cutting of daily stages is possible by train or coach.

2012 Prices

How to get there
By plane to Innsbruck, Venice, Bergamo,Verona then By train to Landeck (North Tyrol) and by coach approx. 1 hr to Nauders/Reschen. Or by train via Bolzano and Meran to Mals (South Tyrol) and by coach to Nauders/Reschen in approx. 45 min. Parking: Free car parks at the starting hotel. No reservation required.

To view other walking holidays in Austria

Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Austria

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