From the Meraner Hut, walk for 4km down over a gravel track to the cable car mountain station. The cable car hovers from Meran 2000 through the Naifgraben rift, of geological interest, to the valley station. Buses and taxis can ferry you to your next destination. A cable car again brings you high above Tirol to the Meran Höhenweg trail, which must be followed until reaching Hochganghaus lodge.
From the Meraner Hut, the starting point for this stage, a quick walk up to the Mittager offers splendid panoramic views over the Sarntal Alps with the rounded peaks of the low mountain regions hemmed in by woodland. These form a horseshoe-like curve on both sides of the Talfer riverbed. In the west, they border the Etschtal and Passeiertal valleys. Their southern foothills merge into the porphyry plate of the Haflinger and Salten plateaux. The nearby Ifanger is also one of the highest peaks and the symbol of Merano. Now walk for 4km on a gentle descent across a gravel slope past the Kirchsteigeralm and Piffingeralm meadows to the mountain station of the cable car to Merano. Here, the low mountains of the porphyry plate with their prevailing reddish colour are particularly striking. Take the cable car thruogh the Naiftal valley, which is of geological interest. It allows you to follow the change in the vegetation stages: vineyards and fruit orchards, sweet chestnuts, fig trees and finally palms and Mediterranean plants take over from the dark green of the spruces and larches and the lightly coloured foliage of the mixed forests. From the valley floor, take the regular bus service to the next stage location (Merano or the village of Tyrol). The cable car brings you from the village of Tyrol to the Hochmuth (where accommodation is offered) in 5min. During the trip, the vastness of a structure on the valley floor will immediately catch your eye: the Merano horse racing course on the Gampenstraße road is one of the biggest and most beautiful of its kind in Europe. Continue along the narrow rock trail to the Leiteralm meadow (1,522m), where catering and accommodation is offered. The stage destination of B28 is the Hochgang refuge (1,839m), which is reached after approx. 3km on a slight incline on the Merano ridge trail. To prepare for this stage, it is advisable to obtain the timetables for the public transport and lifts. (Stefan Illmer, Karin Leichter, AVS)
Natural and cultural heritage
From a geological point of view, the Merano basin offers uniquely contrasting formations. Primitive rock predominates in the north; at the joint in the earth’s crust, which is referred to as the Judicarian line, old crystalline slate meets younger limestone layers. On both sides of the Etsch river from Merano to Bolzano, the Bolzano porphyry plate, which was crossed during the last stage, defines the geological structure. At its northernmost base at the Naifgraben rift, it is followed by the tonalite block of the Ifinger peak. The latter is located to the north of this point in the trail. The area around Merano 2000 is therefore a geologically unstable zone. Wide areas of erosion and deep gullies testify to this. The federal department for soil conservation, torrential stream and avalanche control secures and plants greenery in these gaps, a very labour intensive and costly process. Help to preserve this landscape by staying on the trails. Merano is a world-renowned spa resort and lies at approx. 320m above sea level in a valley basin, into which the Vinschgau, Etsch and Passeiertal valleys open. The special geographical situation is the decisive reason for its typically mild Mediterranian climate, which allows a wide range of Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants to grow in the generous Merano parks. Apart from the climate, the spa and congress town also owes its reputation to the outstanding cuisine on offer and the diversity of tourist structures. Over the last century, Merano with its glorious relaxation landscape soon became one of the most well known spa resorts in Europe. The water containing radon benefits those suffering from cardio-vascular disorders, rheumatic illnesses, chronic joint problems, respiratory illnesses, etc. The lively and (still) green spa town represents an alternative to the otherwise anonymous, grey cities in Central Europe. Information brochures prepared by the spa administration bearing the motto “Discover the city” help you to explore with various (historical) circular walks, e.g.: “Merano in the Middle Ages“ (city wall and gates, Steinach district, Lauben, sovereign castle), “Merano at the turn of the century” (city theatre, spa house, postal bridge, horse racing course), or “Gardens, parks and promenades“ with the Trauttmansdorff gardens, Sissi trail, and Passer, Gilf, winter/summer promenades and the Tappeinerweg trail. Another cricular walk is centred on the theme “the surroundings of Merano“ (mainly castles and stately residences of the burgrave’s office). The “touriseum” is located in the middle of the Trauttmansdorff castle gardens near Merano, in the former holiday castle of Empress Elisabeth. The story of how people “learned” tourism is told in a playful and entertaining manner: an amusing time journey through 200 years of alpine tourism history. (Stefan Illmer, Karin Leichter, AVS)
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Julien - 2020-07-31
Accueil sympa et très bonne cuisine à Hochgang Haus.
Depuis Merano j'ai pris le bus 221 jusqu'à dorf Tyrol. Le bus 222 vous emmène de Dorf bas à Dorf haut. Comptez 1400 à 1500m de dénivelé pour rejoindre Hochgang Haus depuis Dorf bas.
Jean-Louis Giraud - 2014-03-22
Etape de transition...Arrivé dans la vallée par la télécabine de Méran 2000, prendre le bus pour Merano. Descendre du bus à la gare pour une correspondance vers le village de Tirol. Au sommet du village prendre la télécabine pour rejoindre le magnifique et parfois impressionnant sentier Meran Hohenweg que l'on découvre au fil de trois belles étapes ... Sentier sécurisé par endroits.
A Tyrol petite supérette pour le ravitaillement .
Réservation recommandée pour les refuges
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Step transition ... arrived in the valley by the gondola Meran 2000, take the bus to Merano. Get off the bus at the station for a match to the village of Tirol. At the top of the village take the cable car to reach the beautiful and sometimes impressive trail Meran Hohenweg that we discover in the course of three beautiful stages in places ... Secure Path. Tyrol A small supermarket for supplies. Reservations recommended for shelters
Monaco - Trieste
Possible to get off Via Alpina and Meraner hohenweg by following up trail #7 from Hochganghaus to reach 2420m Milchseen (few lakes to see and great view on Merano)
As it get close to the lift it gets busy and ruining the beauty of this place
Merano have an expensive camping place 14.5euros (swimming pool) and a youth hostel (B&B at 25euros)
the Merano therm has nothing great compared to any Japanese or Taiwanese thermal water.tried it 2hours at 12.5euros (Radon water supposed to relax...)
For people who do not take buses or cable car the meran2000 cable car station is 5km from the camping place and it takes
At Meran2000 cable car station. trail #55 (30m down the cable car entrance on the right,not clearly marked)
Merano camping platz - Meraner hutte about 6hours with a lunch break in Falzeben
Mountain Girl - 2012-10-16
For those wishing to make a stop in lovely Merano, Hotel Kolping is a good value.
Philippe - 2010-08-05
Si vous voulez eviter les telepheriques (franchemment, on n'est pas venus sur la via alpina pour s'épargner du denivellé.....) on vous propose le parcours alternatif suivant. Nous l'avons parcouru dans l'autre sens que celui que nous décrivons.Compter un jour de plus, economisé en doublant deux étapes courtes: de Meraner hutte, monter à Oswaldcharte, puis descendre sur Verdins et Schenna (ravitaillement complet). traverser la rivière au fond de la vallée (Passer) sur une passerelle pieton-cycliste et remonter en face sur Kuens et Tiroler Kreuz, puis Hochmutt, fin de la déviation.Aucune raison de bouder ce beau parcours, surtout pour lui preferer bus et telepheriques
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If you want to avoid the cableways (franchemment, it did not come about via alpina to save the unevenness .....) we propose the following alternative route. We traveled in the opposite direction than we décrivons.Compter one more day, saved by doubling two short steps: from Meraner hut Oswaldcharte climb, then descend on Verdins and Schenna (full supply). cross the river at the bottom of the valley (Skip) on a pedestrian-cyclist bridge in front and back and on Kuens Tiroler Kreuz, then Hochmutt end of déviation.Aucune reason to shun this beautiful course especially for him preferer bus and cableways
Die hintere Seilbahn bei der Station Meran 2000 ins Tal nehmen. Von dort Bus Nr. 1 zum Hauptbahnhof Meran und von dort ins Dorf Tirol und hier in kostenlosen Gästebus zur Seilbahn hinauf nach Hochmuth. Ab Meran 2000 ca. 2 Stunden für den kompletten Transfer einplanen.
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The rear cable car station at the Merano 2000 to the valley take. From there, take bus No. 1 to the central station and from there to the village Meran Tyrol and here in free guest bus to the cable car up to arrogance. From Merano 2000 schedule about 2 hours for the complete transfer.
Nous avions fait étape juste après Merano , à Lagundo dans une Zimmer, tenue par la famille Thaler, que je vous recommande. Lagundo, village niché au milieu des vignes d'où vous pouvez rejoindre le sentier en balcon et itinéraire jaune au dessus de Parcines
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We made a stop just after Merano, in a Lagundo Zimmer, Thaler held by the family, that I recommend. Lagundo village nestled among the vines where you can join the trail route and yellow balcony above Parcines
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2h45 |
19.6 km
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2886 m
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3007 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.