Miraculous Merano Hike - Mountains, Rivers, Vineyards, and Trauttmansdorf Castle!

Miraculous Merano Hike (easy/2hours) with amazing views – Mountains, Rivers, Vineyards, and Trauttmansdorf Castle!

Knowing how difficult some hiking expeditions can be, we can describe this particular Merano trip as a fun-size one for everyone. But it is in no way inferior when it comes to the content it provides, because not many destinations give so much variety. A simple 2 hours hike will give you the best views over and in the city – doable for everyone + family friendly. All infos in the blog.

Characterized by dolce vita and surrounded by numerous impressive mountain ranges, the charming old town of Merano is the counterpart for sporty hikes in the Dolomites, and here you can find out how to experience this beauty yourself.

Especially in bad weather days, when the mountain peaks are shrouded in clouds, the valley town of Merano often has a Mediterranean flair. For photographers, the city offers numerous motifs with its old and restored villas, the narrow streets of the old town, the river promenade as well as the vineyards with the alpine views. 

Just outside the city center lies Merano's photographic highlight: the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. The well-formed gardens cover an area of 12 hectares and 100 meters in altitude. This allows for a very wide variety of photo opportunities from impressive perspectives.
Just outside the city center lies Merano’s photographic highlight: the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. The well-formed gardens cover an area of 12 hectares and 100 meters in altitude. This allows for a very wide variety of photo opportunities from impressive perspectives, and you can prepare for this with the help of Mountain Moments

Directions! This is how your Merano easy hiking adventure looks like on a map

From the Therme bus stop or the Therme parking garage across the Passer River. Then walk along the river promenade against the direction of the river. After about 800 meters cross the small bridge to change the river bank. Continue along the summer promenade until the next river crossing. 

The path first leads over the Passer and some serpentines. Then, slightly ascending, traverse the vineyards and continue to the village of Tirol. First along a road, then along the wine trail as well as the culture trail to the viewpoint of the castle Tirol. 

Then descend a little steeper via the Brunnenburgsteig and continue along the Tappeinpromenade through the vineyard slope on a height towards the chairlift. Shortly before the chairlift in the direction of the village center over some serpentines to the provincial castle. 

Finally via some narrow alleys through the old town center to the river bank. Stroll along the riverside promenade back to the starting point.

This 10.9-kilometer route can be finished in 4 hours and is graded as easy to medium on a difficulty scale
This 10.9-kilometer route can be finished in 4 hours and is graded as easy to medium on a difficulty scale

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – Trauttmansdorff Castle and street photography

There are several photo opportunities both at Trauttmansdorff Castle and directly in the city center. The palace garden is a unique opportunity especially for detailed shots of flowers and plants. But we were also fascinated by a photo from a viewing platform with the tiered garden, the lake in the center, the castle to the right and the mountain ranges. 

Architectural detail shots and street photography scenes in the picturesque old town particularly inspire us in the Mediterranean flair. From the small bridges over the Passer or directly from the shore, downstream shots are also special. 

Those who hike as far as the vicinity of the Tirol Castle will also be rewarded with the view of the castle and the mountains behind it, as well as the vast Vinschgau Valley.
Those who hike as far as the vicinity of the Tirol Castle will also be rewarded with the view of the castle and the mountains behind it, as well as the vast Vinschgau Valley 

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

More information about your backpacking trip in northern Italy

How to get there by car: A22 Brenner freeway to the Bolzano-South exit. Continue on the expressway until you reach Merano. Due to the traffic problems at the Brenner Pass (often long traffic jams during vacation periods) and the good public transport connections, arriving by train is more relaxed.

How to get there by public transport: direct connections from some major cities by bus (Flixbus) and train (Eurocity) to Brennero and by regional train to Merano. Several city buses run between the city center and Trauttmansdorff Castle.

Hike difficulty level: easy – medium

Duration/distance: 4h/ 10.9km  

Ascent/descent: 289m/289m 

Highest/lowest point: 595m/307m 

Refreshment stop: large selection for all wishes

Start/finish: Allow three to four hours for the garden at Trauttmansdorff Castle. If in doubt, prefer the castle garden and limit the city circuit to the river promenade and old town.

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Dolomites – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional trips in the Dolomites now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and photograph these places with!

Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.

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