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Hiking in Maranza/Gitschberg
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The ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo counts among the most attractive and varied hiking areas in South Tyrol. An extensive network of marked trails runs through the region at the foot of Mount Gitschberg (2,510 m). As many as 30 quaint lodges and huts invite you to take a rest and welcome you with farm specialties from the alpine region. On your hikes you will pass old farmsteads, flower-strewn meadows and gnarled alpine huts. A variety of themed hiking trails lead through breathtaking natural landscapes on the Maranza Plateau. The Elf Trail in Vandoies, the Bee Trail in Maranza and the Fundres Farm Trail are lined with information boards that give you an insight into rural life and old traditions in our mountains.
Challenging high-altitude hiking trails in the region around Maranza lead up to the summits of the mighty two- and three-thousand-meter peaks. On a hike to the idyllically situated Seefeld lakes, you will overcome more than 900 metres in altitude and pass the Great, Middle, and Small Seefeld lakes one after the other. You can combine a hike to the romantic Fane Alm with a summit tour to the Wilde Kreuzspitze. An extraordinary experience for young and old is a trip to the panoramic platform on the summit of Mount Gitschberg. When the sky is clear, an incredible 500 alpine peaks can be admired at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres.
In addition to demanding mountain tours, you will also find beautifully situated family hiking trails around Maranza, which do not pose a great challenge even for inexperienced hikers. A hike through the wild and romantic Altafossa Valley takes you through deep forests and past ancient farmsteads. The trail “Möserweg” in Maranza and the circular trail “Berg” offer a more tranquil experience. One of the most striking paved paths in South Tyrol is the legendary “Lindenweg”, which was built thousands of years ago. It leads from Maranza to Rio di Pusteria and consists of roughly hewn granite blocks. Legend has it that three Burgundian princesses collapsed from exhaustion while fleeing from Attila. Then the rock opened, and a clear spring bubbled out, whose water gave the women fresh energy and strength.
The alpine plateau of Maranza is a paradise for Nordic walking fans and the Pension Sonnenhof is the ideal starting point for exciting tours through charming natural landscapes. Straight from the front door of our hotel, you can set off for varied excursions into the South Tyrolean mountains. The Nordic Walking route network in the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo is more than 100 kilometres long. This trendy sport has today become an integral part of an active holiday in South Tyrol. This type of leisure activity focuses less on peak sporting performance and more on relaxation, vitality, and enjoyment of nature. Thanks to this gentle activity, more than 80 percent of the body’s muscles are trained and the circulatory system is sustainably strengthened.
Every year, the 100-kilometer network of Nordic walking trails in the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo attracts many fans of this trendy sport. Fantastic tours with varying levels of difficulty lead through marvellous natural landscapes. A popular destination during a Nordic walking holiday is the Altafossa Valley, which you can reach if you follow the course of the river “Großbergbach”. Directly from the Pension Sonnenhof you may set off on an excursion on the Maranza Village Trail. The varied route is 8.8 kilometres long and leads through the sunny village on the alpine plateau. The Fane Alm Trail takes you to the idyllic alpine village at the end of the upper Valles Valley, and the Forest Trail in Maranza leads you along the trails Loben and Möser through dense spruce forests, where impressive views of the sunny village of Maranza open up.
The most popular itineraries
for hiking in Maranza
To ensure a reliable orientation when starting your hiking holiday in the Gitschberg / Dolomites region in South Tyrol, you will find a selection of the most beautiful routes from a wide range of tours below:
Alpine hike in the Altafossa Valley (max. 2.30 hours)
From Maranza, take the hiking trail 14/15 to Walderhöfen, then through the forest to Altafossa and further to the lodge Großberghütte in the Altafossa Valley. You may extend this beautiful alpine tour by visiting the quaint alpine farms Pranterstadlhütte and Wieserhütte on the wide hiking trail on the way back as well as on the way there.
Excursion to the Seefeld Lakes (3.15 hours)
Here too, follow the marker 14/15 from Maranza through the Altafossa Valley to the lodge Großberghütte. A slight climb takes you to the end of the valley and from there a steeper path to Seefeldalm. Now take Trail 6, which takes you to the medium lake and the small lake, then to the large lake “Seefeldsee”, the destination of this tour for lovers of crystal-clear mountain waters. Return following the same route.
Peak "Gaisjochspitze" (5 hours)
Starting from the car park Altafossa Valley, hike through the forest to the lodge Großberghütte and on the west side over fairly steep alpine meadows to the southern ridge of the mountain. On marked trails you now hike over the rocky ridge to the summit (2,641 m / 1,050 m). Return following the same route. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential!
To the lodges Wieser and Pranter-Stadel (3.15 hours.)
From Maranza, take the path described above to the lodge Großberghütte. From there, you can see the rest of the tour stretching out before you – dominated by Mount Gitschberg (2,510 m). Now you pass one alpine pasture after the other and first come to the lodge Wieserhütte, which is open to the public, and later to the hut on the Pranter Alm. Enjoy a break there! Return following the same route.
Mount Gitschberg (5.45 hours)
The landmark of our region is of course a must when hiking in Maranza. Crown your hiking holiday with a climb of Mount Gitschberg (2,510 m). First, you hike from Maranza on Trail 12 to Enderegger Höfen, across the woods on a wide forest path to Grabenkreuz and further on all the way to the tree line. You will soon pass the former mountain station and follow the path to the viewing platform. The
1,110 meters of altitude are easy to manage for experienced mountain hikers. At the top, you will admire an impressive panoramic view of the Dolomites and far across South Tyrol. There are several options for the descent, including taking the cable car.
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Free of charge for our guests with a variety of options…
