Northern Half of the Meraner Höhenweg

To start the northern half of the Meraner Höhenweg, take the 261 bus from Merano or Naturns to Katharinaberg. The bus takes you directly to the trailhead, so you can begin your trek easily. This first stage of the northern half of the Meraner Höhenweg leads into the Schnalstal Valley and then into the Pfossental. The trail begins with a steady ascent to Vorderkaser-Alm, where you can stop at the Jägerhof for a meal or try cheese at the dairy. It’s a good place to rest before moving on.

Further along, you’ll pass alpine huts that offer short breaks and refreshments. Signs along the route provide information about the valley’s history, wildlife, and geology. The stage ends at the Eishof, a hut in a meadow surrounded by peaks up to 3,000 meters, making it a quiet spot to rest for the night.

This stage begins at Eishof (2,074 m) and moves through meadows and peaks. The trail starts gently through pastures, then steepens as it climbs over rocky terrain with scree. After about two hours, you reach the Eisjöchl, the highest point on the Meraner Höhenweg at 2,895 meters, offering views of the Hohe Wilde and Hohe Weiße peaks.

At the top, there is a temporary shelter where you can rest. The descent features switchbacks through rocky and grassy slopes. The trail is well-marked but can be slippery, so caution is needed. As you descend, you’ll pass streams and waterfalls before entering larch and pine forests as the path levels out. The stage ends at the car-free village of Pfelders, where you can rest and have a warm meal.

This stage starts in Pfelders (1,600 m), following trail No. 24 through Innerhütt and Außerhütt, crossing the Pfeldererbach River before reaching Krössbichl, where the northern and southern routes meet. It’s a good spot to rest and take in the view.

The trail then reenters the Texelgruppe Nature Park, passing through Ulfas and into the Kammerwald forest. The path alternates between forest trails and paved sections, making for an easy walk. You’ll pass the Christl farmstead, a good place for a break before the trail opens into flat terrain. The stage ends at Matatz, at 1,052 m. From Matatz, you will make a final descent to St. Martin in Passeier, where your trek will come to an end. To return to Merano, you can take the bus line 240 from St. Martin in Passeier. This bus runs regularly between the two locations and offers a direct route.