Hiking where the wine grows ...

Hiking for all

Through the vineyards or up
to the highest peaks of the Dolomites.

There is a lot to explore - and every discovery becomes more intense on foot. Hiking is the most beautiful way to experience the magic of our landscape. It is curiosity that drives us: What lies behind the next hill, after the bend in the path, beyond the edge of the forest? Step by step, the horizon draws closer.

Especially in spring and autumn, hikes through our cultivated landscape are inviting - past rows of vines, along gentle paths and to hidden field huts that tell stories. And in summer, when the heat is in the valley, Kaltern's mountains offer a refreshing coolness. The Mendel, which has always been a summer resort, offers hikes for every taste - as well as easily accessible summit tours in the Dolomites with their bizarre rock towers.

The best thing about it: we know our way around the mountains. And we recommend a personalised tour for everyone - including a rucksack, sack lunch and blanket for an enjoyable rest in the great outdoors.

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Hiker

Person with yellow rucksack and hat on winding wooden stairs through dense coniferous forest, hand on railing.

RASTENBACH GORGE

An impressive gorge hike that combines the experience of nature, rushing waterfalls, adventure, history and refreshment in a small space.

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Wooden walkways and steps along steep rock faces with low vegetation, several viewing platforms and hikers.

Right on our doorstep: Rastenbachklamm, Leuchtenburg, Rosszähne, Frühlingstal, Roen, Weisshorn, Bletterbachschlucht, Burg Hocheppan, Castelfeder, Penegal, Sarner Scharte, Trudner Horn, Corno di Tres and Ifinger - these are just a few of the most impressive hiking destinations waiting to be discovered right on our doorstep and rewarding us with panoramic views, nature and history.

Red mountain railway gondola in front of village with church tower, green slopes and mountain range under a clear sky

Mendlbahn

The Mendelbahn, ceremonially opened by Emperor Franz Josef of Austria in 1903, is one of the oldest funicular railways in Europe. It runs from Kaltern Mitterdorf to the 1,365 metre high Mendel Pass and provides access to a popular hiking and excursion area. The railway runs every 20 minutes and can be used free of charge with the South Tyrol Mobilcard.

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Our Hotel Haus am Hang is located directly on the wine trail

Our hotel is located directly on the wine trail. It leads in a kind of figure-eight loop through the whole village to Lake Kaltern - past sunny vineyards and romantic wine farms. To give you an idea of how many Riegel (vineyards) you are passing through, they are marked with thresholds in the ground: „Vial“, „Prunar“, „Puntara“, „Palurisch“ - Rhaeto-Romanic names like little poems. We are in a bar of lakeside estates. The best part is the steep climb towards Kaltern via Barleit, later across fields back to Seewiesn - and a glass of wine there.

Excursion tip to the Mendelhütte

In summer, when it gets hot in the valley, the Mendel is a real insider tip. It's often a pleasant 25 degrees at the top - and in the shade of the forest it's really cosy. Especially nice: a picnic at our Mendel hut. We will be happy to pack your rucksack and show you the way. The hut is not far from the Mendelbahn cable car and can be perfectly combined with a leisurely circular hike. Nature, peace, views - and time to take a deep breath.

What are the top 5 hikes on Lake Kaltern?

There are hikes for every mood around Lake Kaltern.

Our top 5:
1) the wine trail - through vines and bars, full of views.
2) the Rastenbachklamm gorge with water, forest and bridges.
3) the Mendel with panoramic trails and cool mountain air.
4) Rosszähne & Leuchtenburg - magnificent views and history dating back to the Bronze Age.
5) The Frühlingstal valley to Montiggl: especially fantastic in spring, with a stop for a swim at Montiggl Lake.

Info & services

We are happy to support you on your hikes. In the Komoot app you will find well-founded tour suggestions around Lake Kaltern - from leisurely to sporty. We also have hiking maps, relevant literature and lots of little helpers to make your day easier: poles, rucksacks and water bottles to borrow. And the most important thing: our expertise. We know the trails, the best places to take a break and the tours that suit the season - so you can simply set off.

Narrow rocky ravine with steep, articulated walls, dry scree and stream bed, conifers on the upper ridge

Several black and white cows lying on a sunny mountain meadow, coniferous forest and mountains in the background.

Bletterbach Gorge

The Bletterbach Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique insight into the geological history of the Dolomites. Deep gorges, colourful layers of rock and impressive rock formations turn every hike into a journey through millions of years of natural history.

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