Sarntal in Fall: Golden 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.

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 (3 months in advance)
• A group of max. 8 guests
• 2 hut nights in shared rooms and dormitories incl. half-board
• Public transport from Bolzano to the start and from the end of the trek

I value your commitment, loyalty and support to make Shanti Treks a successful and sustainable business. Hence, I have put together a discount scheme to thank you for all your effort:

• Loyalty: 10% off if you have been on a Shanti Trek in 2024 & 10% off your next trip in the Alps with me
• Commitment: 50% off all Shanti day-hikes (starting from Munich) in summer 2025
• Support: €50 off if you bring a friend
• Save the planet: € 50 off if you travel by public transport (i.e. ferry, train or bus) to Bolzano

Extra costs on tour

• Transport to Bolzano
• Lunch, and beverages during the trip

Optional

• Overnight-stay before and after the trip in Bolzano (please contact me directly)

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: Bolzano main station at 12 pm.
End: Bressanone train station at 2 pm for direct trains north to Innsbruck and Munich or south to Bolzano and Verona.

It is possible and recommended to travel to Bolzano by train. Bolzano is a 2-hour train ride from Verona, a 3-hour train ride from Innsbruck, and a 4-hour train ride from Munich, where the nearest airports are located. If you are coming from Verona, Innsbruck, Munich, it is possible to take a direct train to Bolzano in the morning and meet us at noon on the first day of the hiking weekend. The train system across the alpine region is not always easy to understand and I more than happy to assist with booking tickets. Please get in touch!

Programme

Day 1 – Rifugio del Corno di Renon (2260 m)
8 km, ↑700 m, ↓0 m, approx. 3 hrs walking
We meet at the train station in Bolzano at 12’clock 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.