This circular hike on Mount Vigiljoch offers a chance to discover the peaceful beauty of nature while following in the footsteps of local history. Part of the route follows the old path once used by villagers on their way to Sunday Mass at the little Church of St. Vigilius.
Winding through quiet forests, the trail leads past special natural sites before reaching the historic little church, which stands peacefully above the valley.
Places to stop for refreshments along the way invite hikers to take a break, making this an enjoyable outing for both young and old.
We start our circular hike from the upper station of the Monte San Vigilio cable car and follow the wide trail no. 34, which leads us to the lower station of the chairlift. Below the chairlift, we take trail no. 4 and follow it for about ten minutes. Then, on the left, a narrow path no. 4b branches off, guiding us through a peaceful forest.
Shortly before this path rejoins the forest road no. 4, we have the option to take a short detour to the Family Alm Gampl mountain hut. Staying on trail no. 4, we can either turn right to reach the Sessellift inn or continue left directly to the small church of St. Vigil.
For the return, we can follow the same route along trails no. 4 and 34, or enjoy a pleasant descent by chairlift down to the valley.
Depending on snow and ice conditions, winter hiking boots with good grip and microspikes are recommended. In some cases, snowshoes may also be necessary.
Coming from Bolzano or Merano, drive to Lana and then follow the signs towards Val d’Ultimo. Just after the roundabout at the Lana bus station, you’ll find the valley station of the cable car.
The cable car is easily accessible by public transport. The Lana bus station is just a 3-minute walk from the valley station. Take advantage of the well-developed public transport network and the convenient connections to the train stations in Marlengo, Merano, or Lana/Postal.
Bus line 211 (Lana–Merano), line 214 (Lana–Foiana), line 215 (Citybus Lana), line 218 (Lanabus), line 245 (Merano–Lana–Ultimo), line 246 (Merano–Lana–Gampen Pass)
Current timetables can be found at: www.suedtirolmobil.info