South Tyrol to Lake Garda Hiking Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Merano
Day 2: Merano - Nalles, 13 mi. (21 km)  
Day 3: Nalles - Caldaro, 11 mi. (18 km)  
Day 4: Caldaro - Coredo, 10.5 mi. (17 km)  
Day 5: Coredo - Molveno, 8.5 mi. (14 km)  
Day 6: Brenta Dolomites Circular Walk, 8.5 mi. (14 km)  
Day 7: Molveno - Riva del Garda, 7 mi. (11 km)  
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Merano
Arrive in Merano, a lively town surrounded by the mountains of South Tyrol. One of the first things you may notice is the unusual mix of Alpine and Mediterranean scenery, with traditional Tyrolean architecture alongside palm trees, gardens, and riverside paths. Spend some time exploring the historic center, walking along the Passer River, or follow part of the Tappeiner promenade above town for views over Merano and the surrounding hills. Merano also offers a first introduction to South Tyrol’s unique culture. Austrian and German influences are easy to see in the architecture and food, and German is widely spoken alongside Italian. It gives this part of the tour a very different feel from what many travelers expect when they think of Italy.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Pienzenau am Schlosspark

Day 2: Merano - Nalles, 13 mi. (21 km) | Approx. 6.5 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +2,231 ft / −2,231 ft
Leave Merano along the historic Waalwege – centuries-old irrigation channels once built to carry water to farms and orchards throughout South Tyrol. Today, the narrow paths beside them offer gentle walking with flowing water, open valley views, and a scenic introduction to the region. The route leads through one of Europe’s major apple-growing areas, where orchards and vineyards cover the valley floor and surrounding slopes, and during harvest season the sheer number of apples is striking, with rows of fruit trees stretching in every direction. Continue toward a waterfall and the chestnut-growing hills around Tesimo/Tisens, passing the small church of St. Christoph before entering quieter stretches of woodland with views across the Adige Valley. Small villages along the way may offer the chance to stop for an espresso or local pastry before the final descent toward Nalles, a village surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and mountain scenery.

Sample accommodation: Apparthotel Nalserhof

Day 3: Nalles - Caldaro, 11 mi. (18 km) | Approx. 6 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +2,690 ft / −2,329 ft
Today’s walk explores South Tyrol’s castle country, where historic fortresses and residences dot the hills around Eppan/Appiano. The route winds through vineyards, orchards, woodland, and medieval landmarks, with more noticeable climbing and descending than the previous day. One of the most unusual features along the way is the area’s ice holes, where cold air moves through gaps in the porphyry rock and creates pockets of much cooler temperatures than the warm vineyards just outside. The change is surprisingly noticeable as you walk through. From there, continue past the tower of St. George and through vineyard-covered hills toward Caldaro, finishing near Lake Caldaro, one of South Tyrol’s best-known bathing lakes, where the scenery begins to take on a slightly more Mediterranean feel despite the surrounding mountains.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Thalhof

Day 4: Caldaro - Coredo, 10.5 mi. (17 km) | Approx. 5 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +656 ft / −2,362 ft
Begin with a ride on the Mendelbahn funicular to Mendel Pass (included with the free South Tyrol guest pass), avoiding a substantial climb and gaining broad views across the surrounding valleys. From the pass, follow a more relaxed route across the plateau toward the Val di Non, where both the culture and landscape begin to change. As you cross from South Tyrol into Trentino, German gradually gives way to Italian, while vineyards and orchards become less dominant and the scenery grows increasingly wooded. The route passes deep ravines, forested slopes, and small villages before reaching San Romedio, an extraordinary pilgrimage sanctuary built into a rocky gorge. A series of chapels and small churches rise along a limestone outcrop and are connected by steep stairways, with the oldest sections dating back roughly a thousand years. Continue past two small lakes on the final approach to Coredo, a peaceful mountain village surrounded by peaks.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Miraval

Day 5: Coredo - Molveno, 8.5 mi. (14 km) | Approx. 5 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +2,231 ft / −1,214 ft
A short transfer brings you into the Val di Non, where today’s walk begins. The route climbs through quiet forest toward the small church of San Tommaso, set above the valley, then continues through the Priori nature area and across wetlands surrounding a karst lake. By now, the character of the tour has shifted noticeably. The orchards and vineyards of the earlier days are mostly behind you, and the walk begins to feel much more mountainous as the Brenta Dolomites draw steadily closer. Continue toward Andalo before descending to Lake Molveno, beautifully positioned beneath the Brenta Dolomites. Its striking blue-green water and dramatic limestone backdrop make this one of the most memorable settings of the tour. Settle in for two nights in Molveno.

Sample accommodation: Alpenresort Belvedere

Day 6: Brenta Dolomites Circular Walk, 8.5 mi. (14 km) | Approx. 5 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +1,837 ft / −3,215 ft
Ride the cable car into the Pradel area and spend the day hiking in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the most alpine stage of the tour. Pale limestone peaks, forested slopes, mountain rifugios, and wide-open views replace the cultivated landscapes of the earlier stages. The route offers several opportunities to stop at traditional rifugios for lunch, an espresso, or a snack. These mountain huts are an important part of the experience, providing a chance to pause and take in the surroundings before continuing along the trail. Some sections are more adventurous, with narrow paths along steep slopes and fixed cables in the rock providing additional support. The terrain is not technical, but these sections add variety and a distinctly alpine character to the day. From the higher terrain, descend gradually toward Lago di Nembia, a clear alpine lake tucked below the mountains, before returning to Molveno.

Sample accommodation: Alpenresort Belvedere

Day 7: Molveno - Riva del Garda, 7 mi. (11 km) | Approx. 3.5 hrs. | Elevation gain/loss: +1,411 ft / −2,690 ft
Your final walking day begins in the quiet meadows of the Lomason Valley before climbing toward Rifugio Monte San Pietro. From here, enjoy one of the tour’s most memorable viewpoints over Lake Garda. After a break at the rifugio, begin the long descent toward Riva del Garda. The route follows narrow lanes and old stone paths, passes through the historic village of Tenno, and continues through olive groves and cypress-lined countryside. Some sections of the descent are paved with old, smooth stones that can be surprisingly slick underfoot, particularly in wet conditions. Trekking poles can be especially helpful here. The change in scenery is striking. The Alpine houses, apple orchards, and German-speaking towns of South Tyrol have now given way to olive trees, cypress trees, stone villages, and Italian-speaking communities.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Bellariva

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, depart Riva del Garda or extend your stay to enjoy more time along the lake. Travelers continuing through northern Italy can easily connect onward toward Verona, Venice, or other regional destinations.

Stay in thoughtfully selected hotels, all featuring wellness areas with amenities such as pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, gardens, and scenic terraces. Several properties also offer impressive mountain or lake settings, making the accommodations an important part of the experience after a full day of hiking. The style ranges from contemporary Alpine to elegant lakeside, and each hotel also includes an on-site bar and restaurant. Generous breakfast buffets are a highlight, while some evenings may include fixed-price menus featuring regional dishes and local specialties. After long days on the trail, having good food, a place to unwind, and wellness facilities on site adds a great deal to the overall experience.