Jenesien: Salten, views of the Dolomites and South Tyrolean cuisine

Salten: Trails with panoramic views of the Dolomites

When hiking in Jenesien, you can enjoy views of the Dolomites. Many hiking trails on the Salten have only slight differences in elevation. The cycling paths on the way to the Salten also run almost exclusively along flat routes and offer views of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Salto high plateau lies above San Genesio at an altitude of around 1,300 to 1,400 metres.

The Salto high plateau can be explored on foot, with a pushchair, by bicycle or on a Haflinger horse. The “Klapf” viewing platform is just a few minutes’ walk from the village centre and offers a view of the main Alpine chain. In the “Wieser Lahn” landslide area, the red clay soil stands out clearly from the surrounding meadows and forests. The earth pyramids in Nobls/Jenesien are geological formations from the last Ice Age.

Marterloch and themed trails

The Marterloch suspension bridge is 272 metres long and 130 metres high. It is part of the Marterloch themed trail, which runs between Afing, a hamlet of Jenesien, and Bundschen in the Sarntal Valley. The themed trail is nine kilometres long and includes 20 stations. From Afing, the suspension bridge can be reached on foot in about one hour.

The Legends Trail on the Salten conveys 16 legends about San Genesio and its surroundings. It runs from the Edelweiss restaurant to Lavena along the E5. The “Guggn” adventure trail leads from San Genesio across the Salten to Tschaufen. Nine play and activity stations, as well as information boards about Haflinger horses and larches, are part of this adventure trail.

Jenesien on foot, by bicycle and on horseback

In Jenesien, horseback excursions are available, ranging from one hour to several days. Beginner courses are offered at the riding arena. Charging stations for e-bikes are available in the centre of Jenesien for cycling tours. This allows you to combine different ways of getting around with the landscapes and trails around the Salten.

Castle ruins, a church and rural history

The Haflinger Horse Museum displays agricultural tools and equipment from South Tyrolean rural life, from the past to the present day. The ruins of Greifenstein Castle were first mentioned in historical records in 1159. The castle ruins can be reached on foot in 15 minutes from the Noafer restaurant in Cologna/San Genesio. St. Magdalena Church was rebuilt in 1705 after a chapel dedicated to St. Magdalene had already stood there in 1629.

Chestnuts, mountain huts and seasonal specialities

The Chestnut Weeks in Jenesien take place every year in October. They include a chestnut market in the centre of Jenesien and guided chestnut walks to Glaning and Afing. During the “Culinary Spring Awakening”, participating inns in Jenesien, Flaas and Vöran offer regional and seasonal specialities for around two weeks.

At the Schupfenfest, the participating mountain huts serve South Tyrolean specialities. The Schupfenfest in Jenesien takes place every year on the third Sunday in September; during the event, a larch plateau is transformed into a traditional culinary landscape. The various trails, historic sites, horse-riding options and events therefore offer several ways to shape your time in Jenesien according to your interests in landscapes, activity, culture or regional cuisine.

More destinations for planning your trip

More destinations for planning your trip: Renon, Santa Cristina in Val Gardena, Eggen, Selva di Val Gardena, Fiè allo Sciliar, Sarntal Valley, Collalbo and Tires.

To the higher-level travel overview: Salten-Schlern.