South Tyrol between the Dolomites, wine routes and culture

South Tyrol between the Dolomites and Stelvio National Park

South Tyrol reveals different sides of Alpine landscapes and culture. The UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites comprises nine component areas that protect characteristic mountain landscapes of exceptional natural beauty. Rocky peaks, spires, towers, forests, meadows and gorges shape this landscape; some limestone walls rise more than 1,500 metres high. Four of the nine UNESCO World Heritage component areas are located in South Tyrol.

Stelvio National Park is located mainly in South Tyrol around the Ortler-Cevedale group and includes the Martell Valley and the Ultimo Valley. The South Tyrolean section extends from 650 metres on the valley floor near Latsch to glaciers reaching 3,900 metres and encompasses all Alpine climate zones. This gives you a destination in which valleys, high mountains and protected landscapes are clearly distinct from one another.

Marked trails and mountain tours

Stelvio National Park has a network of more than 250 kilometres of marked trails. The national park visitor centres provide information about the protected area and hiking trails. One mountain tour leads to the Ötzi discovery site at Tisenjoch at an altitude of 3,210 metres. If you primarily want to get to know South Tyrol on foot, the documented options therefore range from marked trails in the protected area to a tour of an archaeologically significant site.

Wine Road and regional orientation

The South Tyrolean Wine Road stretches 150 kilometres between Nals and Salurn. From Bolzano, the towns along the South Tyrolean Wine Road can be reached by connecting trains, local buses, taxis or the Südtirol Transfer shuttle. This combination of a clearly described wine route and several means of transport provides a practical basis if you want to combine landscapes and regional culture.

Gardens, Merano and Alpine history

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle cover 12 hectares and comprise 80 garden landscapes divided into four themed garden worlds. Trauttmansdorff Castle is also home to the Touriseum, which tells the history of Alpine tourism. The Sissi Trail leads uphill from Merano city centre to the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.

The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in the centre of Bolzano displays the glacial mummy Ötzi and features an interactive permanent exhibition about Ötzi's life. The original clothing and equipment displayed there provide insights into life in the Copper Age. The ArcheoParc displays reconstructions of Stone Age houses, complementing the archaeological perspective with vivid reconstructions.

Geology, castles and cultural trails in Trentino

The Dolomites Museum in Predazzo is a branch of MUSE with more than 11,000 exhibits. The Dos Capèl geological educational trail is connected to the Dolomites Museum and is open to visitors in summer. At the House of the Geopark in Carisolo, in Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, geological topics are presented through models, dioramas, interactive experiments and multimedia stations.

Historic sites and rural cultural landscapes also form part of the region's diversity. Castel Thun was built in the mid-13th century and was the residence of the Thun family for centuries. A cultural trail in Trentino passes through old houses, mills and huts and includes visits to fortifications from the First World War, hydroelectric power stations and mountain villages.

Water sports on Lake Garda

In Garda Trentino, a surf centre offers courses, private lessons and equipment rental for various disciplines. The range of destinations considered therefore extends from high-Alpine trails and glaciers to museums, gardens and castles, as well as activities on the water.

For further regional orientation: Bolzano, Trentino.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Trentino South Tyrol, Cavalese – winter sports resort in South Tyrol, events in Trentino South Tyrol.

Further destinations

More places within the same destination:

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche, Veneto.