Active Hotel Villa Freiheim for your balance holiday in South Tyrol
Hiking in Merano & environs
Merano provides an ideal starting point for beautiful hikes and mountain tours in the South Tyrolean mountain world of the Merano & environs holiday region. Numerous well-marked hiking trails, cool forests, alpine meadows, breath-taking waterfalls and refreshing alpine lakes await you in this world, where every holiday becomes an adventure.
Especially the high-alpine mountain landscape of the Gruppo del Tessa Nature Park, and the hiking paradise in the Merano 2000 winter ski resort in Falzeben provide a highlight. Every morning we will provide individual hiking tips and are pleased to organise special hiking tours.
Cycling in Merano & environs
Cycling fans will also find everything they long for in Merano. The spa town is an ideal destination for your cycling holiday. Be it road cyclists, mountain-bikers or pleasure cyclists – everyone will find their preferred route.
Here are some tips for cyclists:
Tip 1: The Val Venosta cycling trail – 80 km on the former Via Claudia Augusta from Resia to Merano
The Val Venosta cycling trail is amongst the most beautiful cycling trails in South Tyrol with 80 km leading from Resia to Merano.
The start is on the most northern part of the artificial Lake Resia, which is one of the most impressive in northern Italy. Before the realisation of the lake, there was the small village of Curon. The church tower looking out of the lake still tells the history of the village.
When cycling past the lake, you enjoy a breath-taking view of the Ortler Mountain Group, and further on you get to the Medieval and smallest city in South Tyrol, namely Glorenza. From here, the Val Venosta cycling track leads along the Adige River to Merano through some enchanting green landscape. The discovery tour continues along South Tyrolean orchards and vegetable fields to the village centre of Laces, past Castelbello Castle, to Stava with Juval Castle, and from Naturno along the Adige River to Plaus, Rablà and Tel to the valley basin of Merano.
The Val Venosta pleasure cycling tour can of course also be started in Merano. Here there are only a few ascents of note to Lagundo, Covelano and Malles to Resia.
If you prefer a shorter cycling tour simply take the train to Malles and cycle from there.
Total duration: approx. 4 hours // Distance: 75.9 km // Difference in altitude: 120 m
Tip 2: The Val Passiria cycling trail – Along the shores of Passirio River from Merano to the birth town of freedom fighter Andreas Hofer in San Leonardo
From Merano (325 m) the cycling trail leads along the main road in the direction of Val Passiria. Before the bridge turn right and follow the cycling trail to San Leonardo (688 m).
Cross Passirio River flowing through Val Passiria, and near Riffiano cross a wooden bridge. Near Saltusio, the cycling trail crosses below the Hirzer cable cars. At San Martino cross the covered wooden bridge and one kilometre before the destination San Leonardo in Passiria you will reach the festival ground. Here you can turn off to Sandwirt – the birth house of Andreas Hofer with museum – or continue the cycle to the underground crossing of the bypass and you will get to San Leonardo.
Estimated duration of the cycling tour: approx. 1-2 hours // Length of the cycling track: approx. 20km
