The Merano High Mountain Trail
One path, many impressions – Hike with a view
The Merano High Mountain Trail
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Merano High Mountain Trail near Naturns

Varied hike in high alpine terrain: discover our stage suggestions & hut recommendations for the Merano High Mountain Trail


The Merano High Mountain Trail


In 1976, the Texel Group Nature Park was established with the aim of preserving a unique mountain landscape in its pristine state and maintaining it as a space for recreation. The park stretches from valley floors through forests and alpine pastures up to steep rocky peaks and glacier regions.

The beauty of this unique nature reserve reveals itself to mountain hikers along the Merano High Mountain Trail: Stretching over 90 kilometers, it encircles the central part of the Texel Group.

The idea for this magnificent high-altitude hiking trail came from Helmuth Ellmenreich, who served as the first chairman of the Merano Section of the South Tyrolean Alpine Club from 1962 to 1997. Thanks to his determination and tireless efforts, the Merano High Mountain Trail was officially opened in 1985. It has since become a ribbon of friendship linking farmsteads and valleys and is now considered one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Alps.

In 2025, the Merano High Mountain Trail celebrates its 40th anniversary.


Hiking Along the Merano High Mountain Trail

At a relatively consistent altitude, this trail acts as a bridge between the alpine climate of the Texel Group and the sub-Mediterranean climate of the Etschtal. Like a panoramic terrace, it offers breathtaking views of the Venosta Valley, the Merano basin, the Passiria Valley, the Sarntal Alps, the Stubai Alps, and the Ötztal Alps.
On clear days, the Dolomites, the Brenta Group, and the Ortler appear impressively close and majestic.

The total length of the Merano High Mountain Trail is approximately 90 kilometers, divided into a northern and a southern circuit, allowing the hike to be undertaken in different seasons. Generally, the trail is accessible from the end of June to October, depending on snowfall. The southern and eastern sections are usually snow-free year-round and are ideal for day trips. Additionally, the route can be divided into multiple daily stages.


Circumnavigation of the Texel Group Nature Park on the Merano High Mountain Trail

For a complete circumnavigation of the Texel Group on the Merano High Mountain Trail, you should plan approximately 5 to 7 days. The various starting points for a hike along the Merano High Mountain Trail can be reached by bus, shuttle services, taxi, or car, or via various ascent facilities (cable cars, chairlifts, etc.). Our advice: Hike the Merano High Route the other way around and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

The entire Merano High Mountain Trail is continuously marked with the number 24, red/white. All exposed sections of the trail are equipped with guardrails, ladders, stairs, or steel ropes. Although the various stages of the trail are generously provided with opportunities for rest and refreshment, it is important to remember that you are traveling in the mountains, partly in high-altitude regions. Proper hiking equipment, good footwear, weather protection, and good physical condition are essential requirements for traversing this unique alpine trail! Additionally, you should definitely equip yourself with appropriate maps before starting. Various hiking maps for the Texel Group Nature Park and the Merano High Mountain Trail, as well as a list of rest stops along the route, are available at the Naturns tourist office.

Please note that for overnight stays at the mountain huts along the trail, it is important to check the opening hours and the limited number of beds, so making a reservation by phone is highly recommended. On some daily stages, there are multiple accommodation options available, allowing you to make a section of the trail slightly longer or shorter, depending on your preference. Always check with the hut hosts and accommodation providers for information on trail conditions and the upcoming section of the path. As an alternative to the Merano High Mountain Trail, and currently still a hidden gem among multi-day hikers, the Venosta Valley High Mountain Trail is also worth considering.


The Merano High Mountain Trail in summary

Length Approximately 90 km
 Starting Points Unterstell, Giggelberg, Katharinaberg, Pfossental, Hochmuth, Ulfas, Vellau, Christl, Matatz
 Total Hiking Time 5 - 8 days
 Altitude Difference 5,100 m
 Best Time to Hike  End of June to October (depending on weather conditions)

The cable car Unterstell and the viewing platform in Naturns
Access Points to the Merano High Mountain Trail

Naturns Unterstell Cable Car
 Rabland Texel Cable Car
 Algund Leiteralm Basket Lift
 Dorf Tirol Hochmuth Cable Car
 St. Leonhard Matatz (by car)
 Pfelders Public Bus
 Katharinaberg Public Bus

Merano High Mountain Trail
Picturesque hiking tour of mountain huts in the Texelgruppe Nature Park
Stages of the Merano High Mountain Trail
Circular hike along the Merano High Mountain Trail open
Hiking, all hiking routes, High Mountain Trail, Long-Distance Hiking Trails, Trail closed
Circular hike along the Merano High Mountain Trail

The Merano High Mountain Trail is a scenic mountain hut hike in the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Hikers can complete the nearly 100 km circuit in 5 to 8 daily stages.

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Merano High Mountain Trail - Hochmuth - Giggelberg open
Hiking, High Mountain Trail, Long-Distance Hiking Trails
Merano High Mountain Trail - Hochmuth - Giggelberg
A unique experience on the Merano High Path This panoramic section connects the top station of the Hochmuth Cable Car with Giggelberg, passing ...
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Merano High Mountain Trail - 2nd stage: The Gorge of 1.000 Steps to Katharinaberg, in Senales Valley/ Schnalstal open
Hiking, High Mountain Trail
Merano High Mountain Trail - 2nd stage: The Gorge of 1.000 Steps to Katharinaberg, in Senales Valley/ Schnalstal

Scenic hike for those in search of great views – and for high mountain hiking enthusiasts!

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Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 3: from Monte S. Caterina/Katharinabger to Mountian pasture Eishof open
Hiking, all hiking routes, High Mountain Trail
Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 3: from Monte S. Caterina/Katharinabger to Mountian pasture Eishof
After the Montferthof, there is a diversion from Sellboden via Tumlhof and along the road into Pfossental, which takes an additional 1.5 hours.
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Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 4: from the Eishof Farm to Pfelders/Plan open
Hiking, all hiking routes, High Mountain Trail
Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 4: from the Eishof Farm to Pfelders/Plan
This route follows the forest road, along an old and gradually ascending military route (easy route), with some Alpine terrain (individual snow ...
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Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 5: from Pfelders/Plan to Matatz open
Hiking, all hiking routes, High Mountain Trail
Merano High Mountain Trail Stage Suggestion No. 5: from Pfelders/Plan to Matatz
From Plan, follow the signs for route No. 24, which leads after crossing three streams to the Bergkristall climbing garden. From there continue down ...
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Merano High Mountain Trail: Hike from Matatz to the Hochmuth open
Hiking, all hiking routes, High Mountain Trail
Merano High Mountain Trail: Hike from Matatz to the Hochmuth
The Merano High Mountain Trail is one of the loveliest circular hikes in the Alpine region. It runs around the edge of the Texelgruppe Nature Park ...
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Huts and accomodation along the Alta Via Meranese in Naturns
Parcines/Partschins
Giggelberg
open until 11:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
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Naturno
Pirchhof
open until 6:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Naturno/Naturns
Galmein
open until 7:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Naturno/Naturns
Unterstell
open until 7:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday closed
Saturday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Naturno/Naturns
Ristorante Linthof
open until 6:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday closed
Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Naturno
Wald
open until 5:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday closed
Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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