Autumn Can Take Its Time

An old farmers’ saying from the Vinschgau goes: “By St. Bartholomew’s Day, the snow peeks over the ridge.” And indeed, around St. Bartholomew’s Day at the end of August, the highest peaks can gain their first dusting of white overnight. Down in the valley, summer is far from over, but the light grows softer, the nights cooler and the views clearer. Slowly but surely, the season begins that ranks among the best for hiking around Naturns.

Autumn in South Tyrol plays with contrasts. Vines and Mediterranean plants thrive in the valley, while the slopes above climb into the high alpine world of the Texel Group. Green slowly mixes with orange, red and gold, apples are harvested in the orchards and grapes ripen in the vineyards. The days often stay sunny and mild, ideal for anyone who, while hiking in South Tyrol in autumn, does not want to rack up as many metres of altitude as possible, but would rather combine scenery, movement and enjoyment.
Right in the middle of it all: the Lindenhof Luxury & DolceVita Resort in Naturns. Out in the morning. Back in the afternoon with pleasantly tired legs. And then? Sauna, spa, an aperitif and a good dinner.

Following the Water: the Waalweg Trails Around Naturns

The Waalweg trails are perfect for a gentle start to a day of walking. These narrow paths follow centuries-old irrigation channels, built in the Vinschgau Valley from as early as the 13th century onward because of the region’s low rainfall. Originally, the paths served the “Waaler,” the person responsible for controlling the flow of water; today, with their gentle gradients, they rank among the most pleasant leisure trails in the region.
Anyone wanting to hike around Naturns can, for example, combine the Staben and Ciardes Waalweg into a loop and plan a detour to Juval Castle. Along the way, the trickle of water, Waaler huts and bells, castles, churches and ever-changing views accompany the path. And since a good hike in South Tyrol in autumn always includes a stop along the way, traditional farm taverns are just right for an enjoyable break.

Between Apple Orchards and Vineyards

A little further toward Merano, two more classics await. The Marling Waalweg runs almost level from Töll to Lana, repeatedly opening up views over the Merano basin. The Lagundo Waalweg, too, pleasantly combines landscape and culture. Orchards, vineyards and small villages line the way, and in autumn it’s easy to find a sunny spot along the route for a break.
A glass of Vernatsch, roasted chestnuts at a farm tavern or a slice of apple strudel are now almost as much a part of a day’s hike as sturdy boots. That’s exactly the appeal of these trails: you can cover distance, but you don’t have to. You’re allowed to stop, look around, take a break, and give autumn a little time.

One Level Higher: Up to the Naturns Alm

Anyone wanting a bit more mountain air while hiking around Naturns can climb to the Naturns Alm at 1,922 metres. A particularly pleasant route starts at the Kreuzbrünnl car park: along a gently climbing forest road, it’s 3.7 kilometres, around 300 metres of ascent and about an hour to the hut. From the Aschbach mountain station, another beautiful route leads up in around an hour and a half and over 500 metres of ascent.

Once at the top, exactly what an autumn hike needs is waiting: a sun terrace, views over the mountains around Naturns and traditional South Tyrolean dishes. The hut is open daily from May to November; for hikes later in autumn, current weather and snow conditions should of course always be factored in.

When Hiking Turns Into Wellness

The finest luxury of an autumn day may lie in the switch between outdoors and indoors. After hours in the crisp mountain air, back at the Lindenhof, off with the hiking boots, on with the bathrobe. In seven saunas, warmth returns to tired muscles; anyone who prefers to dip into the water has eight pools to choose from. Afterwards there’s time in one of the relaxation areas, perhaps on a suspended lounger with a view over the rooftops of Naturns.

That makes the Lindenhof a wellness hotel in South Tyrol where both sides come together quite naturally. First out into the landscape, then warmth, water and calm. And when an aperitif awaits in the evening and South Tyrol arrives on the plate at the gourmet dinner, the circle closes. The three-quarter gourmet board at the hotel includes breakfast, an afternoon snack and a seven-course à la carte gourmet dinner.

Perhaps that’s exactly where the special appeal of the South Tyrolean autumn lies: setting off in the morning, following the soft trickle of an old Waal, stopping along the way in the autumn sun, and returning in the afternoon with pleasantly tired legs. In between lie golden orchards, vineyards just before or in the middle of harvest, and again and again the open view up to the mountains. Not higher, faster, further, but being outdoors, enjoying it, and taking your time.

You’ll also find varied hiking experiences at our Dolce Vita partner hotel Piris Jagdhof in Laces in the Vinschgau Valley, South Tyrol.