Images: Porter Teegarden
We named this tour the “Ötzi Trek” in honor of Ötzi, the Copper Age hunter who died in the Ötztal mountains 5,300 years ago. Hikers discovered his frozen body in 1991 and entered him into the history books as Europe’s oldest natural mummy. The Ötztaler Alpen, where he hunted and eventually perished, is a beautiful mountain region that forms the border between Austria and Italy, and provides a stunning backdrop for our hiking tour around the region of Merano.
Merano is the base for our tour, originally a walled city known from the third millennium BC for its extensive thermal baths and its mild, almost Mediterranean climate. Merano is also known as a colorful town of endless arcades (sheltered sidewalks brimming with lively shops and beer gardens), ancient cathedrals, fountains, baths and serpentine streets.
We’ll enjoy a brilliant mix of gentle wandering through high Dolomite walls and towers, to hiking along high alpine trails adjacent to the glaciated peaks of the region.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Travel by rail to Merano, a bustling wine producing center that rests at the confluence of three lush and beautiful valleys; the Val d’Ultimo, the Val Passiria and the Val Venosta. Gorgeous peaks that rise to more than 3,300 meters or 11,000 feet surround the town. The locals speak three different languages; German, Italian and Ladin, though it’s not surprising that more than half of the population speak German as their first language since this region is known as the SudTyrol, originally a part of Austria rather than Italy. Meet your group and guides in a chalet - style hotel located just above town.
Day 2 We’ll explore each of the three high mountain plateaus that rest to the north, south, and west of Merano during the next few days. Thanks to the extensive regional transportation system we can enjoy fairly easy hikes in the high alpine environment and return to our comfortable hotel each night. Today’s hike offers fantastic views of the famous Ortler peak in the west before returning to Merano.
Day 3 We’ll hike into the Val Passiria, just below this range of snowcapped peaks, and follow in the very footsteps of Otzi, the Iceman himself, before we return to our delightful hotel.
Day 4 This is our final loop hike before we head west toward the awe - inspiring glaciated peaks of the Orlter group. We’ll choose an appropriate itinerary in the Val d’Ultimo that combines the desires of every group member. From Roman architecture to expansive alpine views, the Sud Tyrol offers limitless possibilities for great hikes, wonderful food and memorable photographs.
Day 5 Transfer to the village of Solda, or Sulden as it is also known, located at the base of the glaciated Ortler group. Ovenight in a fun little country inn with views to the snowcapped peaks.
Day 6 We’ll leave the village of Sulden and ascend to a high alpine world of rock and glaciers. The views are spectacular this day as we find our way through the hills enroute to our comfortable, yet simple rifugio for the night.
Day 7 We’ll descend from our cozy little mountain abode and head toward the border between Italy and Switzerland. The high peaks of Austria beckon to the north and remind us that this is quality Tyrolean hikng. We’ll descend back into the Val Venosta and transfer to Merano for our farewell dinner.
Day 8 Depart. It is usually not possible to make an early afternoon flight from Munich.
