Sarntal in Fall: Gentle Trails & Italian Flavors

What to expect

The Sarntal Hut Trek is a scenic and soul-soothing journey high above Bolzano, leading from the the huts of Rittner Horn to Latzfonser Kreuz along gentle, panoramic trails. As you hike, wide open views of the Dolomites unfold in the distance, while peaceful alpine landscapes invite you to slow down and simply enjoy the moment. Each day ends in a cosy mountain hut, where warm hospitality and delicious, homemade Italian dishes await – a perfect blend of mountain magic, culinary delight, and quiet beauty.

Physical requirements

You need to be able to walk comfortably on narrow hiking paths, which are covered with lose rocks and tree roots. We hike about 3 - 4 hours each day (not including breaktime) on gravel paths or narrow hiking trails. You should be sure-footed and free of giddiness yet there are no technically difficult parts on the trek.

Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that you are fit enough and able to participate in this trip. If you have never hiked with me before or are unsure whether you meet the physical and technical requirements or whether you have the right equipment, I’d be very happy to speak over the phone with you about the trip in advance. Please keep in mind that, no matter how the routes are rated, multi-day hikes in the Alps may feel difficult if you have not hiked in the Alps before.

Service included

• Organised trip by a registered travel company
• Guided hikes by a fully qualified UIMLA & VDBS International Mountain Leader
• Information package about the trip and the area including a packing list
• 2 hut nights in shared rooms incl. half-board

Extra costs on tour

• Public transport to the start and from the end of the trek
• Lunch, and beverages during the trip

Accommodation

The huts are simple mountain huts, and all offer shared rooms or dormitories, which are shared with other hikers if we don’t fill all beds, and the hut is fully booked. All huts have shared washing facilities, and most huts offer showers sometimes at additional cost. The huts serve buffet-style continental breakfast and a set (vegetarian) three-course dinner. Many huts offer (at least) one vegan dish by now and the huts aim to cater for dietary restrictions. However, it is not always possible given their simple facilities and remoteness of their location. If you have any dietary requirements, please communicate them in advance.

Travel

Start: Munich main station at around 7:00 am on Day 1.
End: Munich main station at around 8 pm on the last day.

You can travel with me from Munich Main Station to the start of the hike and return to Munich on the last day. Once you have signed up, I will send you the train connections three months before the trip. Alternatively, you are welcome to travel individually and meet the group at the start of the hike, and leave the group at the end of the hike.

If you would like travel advice for getting to Munich or to the start and end points of the trek, as well as hotel recommendations in Munich or in the Alps before or after the trip, or holiday ideas to extend your stay, please feel free to contact me directly.

Programme

Day 1 – Rifugio del Corno di Renon (2260 m)
8 km, ↑700 m, ↓0 m, approx. 3 hrs walking
We meet iat the train station in Munich or Bolzano and take the nearby cable car to Upper Bolzano. After a short bus ride we reach the mountain village of Pemmern, from where we start our hike. The first part takes us through beautiful pine forests on wide paths up to the Rittner Alm. In the summer months, around a thousand cows, calves and horses spend their summertime on this high alpine pasture. After stopping for a refreshment at one of the huts, we hike the last few meters to the simple but rustic refuge of the Rittner Horn (2260 m), where we are rewarded (especially at sunset and sunrise) with a magnificent views of the Dolomite peaks and the mountains of South Tyrol.

Day 2: Rifugio Santa Croce di Latzfons (2305m)
12 km, ↑425 m, ↓400 m, approx. 4 hrs walking
On our second day, we walk over the high plateau of the Sarntal Alps, which is botanically incredibly diverse. We cross a few small streams on easy hiking trails and head towards the Jocher Peak. After surrounding it, we get a splendid view of our hut for the night with its famous pilgrimage church. A short walk away lies the crystal-clear mountain lake Cassiano for the brave of us to swim in and just behind an easily reachable peak, Cima San Cassiano (2581 m), with a 360° view of beautiful mountain ranges.

Day 3: Descent to Latzfons
8 km, ↓1200 m, approx. 3 hrs walking
The path down to Latzfons is wide and easy to follow, hence we can take our time to have breakfast and slowly start our descent. After a last delicious lunch break in Latzfons, a bus brings us from the mountain village down to Bressano. From here you can take direct trains either north towards Innsbruck (2.5 hrs) and Munich (3.5 hrs) or south towards Bolzano (30 mins) and Verona (2.5 hrs).

Note that our hiking days may differ from the described programme due to weather and path conditions or the physical ability of the group.

Make it a week-long trip and combine it with a yoga & hiking weekend.

Payment Information

Price: 495 €

A deposit of €150 is required within seven days of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days before the start date. Payment in instalments is possible; please contact me directly at info(at)shantitreks.com. Please note that the cancellation policy applies as outlined in the T&Cs.

Booking opens on Saturday, 15 November.