The location of the Stoanernen Mandln (stone men) is a popular hiking destination in the Sarntal Alps above Hafling/Avelengo, Vöran/Verano and Meran 2000. More than one hundred mysterious stone figures are lined up there at 2000 m above sea level. To this day, there is uncertainty about how the figures were created.
It is a true place of power with a spectacular panorama of the surrounding mountains. It has a special charm, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Mythology and witchcraft among the “Stoanernen Mandln”
The little stone men, as in other parts of South Tyrol, often served as a means of orientation, or were built by shepherds as a pastime. But only here, above the villages on the mountain plateau, such a concentration of small stone pyramids can be found. Some even still preserve prehistoric characteristics. In early modern times, it was believed that there was a witches’ gathering place here where they celebrated wild covens, made weather and sent violent thunderstorms to the valley.
Day hike from Vöran to the Stoanernen Mandln
The hike to the Stoanernen Mandlen begins in the village of Vöran. It starts off along Trail No. 16 heading northeast towards a fork in the road at Grüner Baum Inn, then continues along trail no. 16, first to the Bruggen lake and then heading right, up towards Leadner Alm Mountain Hut. The hike then follows a beautiful trail through the forest, marked trail no. 11, until it reaches Auenerjoch (1,924 m). From there, it turns right again towards the Stoanernen Mandlen (2,003 m). From the Stoanernen Mandlen, the route continues to Möltner Kaser Mountain Hut and along trail No. 15 to Waldbichl Restaurant. The trails no. 38 and no. 16 lead back to the starting point in Vöran.