NEW
Chestnut Trail: In the Shadow of the Dolomites

Looking at the Geislerspitzen from Velturno, Italian Alps | Jakob Strauss

Hiking in the Alpe di Siusi

The duomo in Bressanone (Bixen) in Italy's Alte Adagio | Ingo

Beautiful landscape on the Chestnut Trail

Be surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites when walking Italy's lower-level Chestnut Trail | Mario

Church on the Chestnut Trail

The Earth Pyramid of Renon

Lively city of Bressanone

Hiking the stunning trails of the Alpe di Siusi

Roncolo Castle on a hilltop

Looking at the Geislerspitzen from Velturno, Italian Alps | Jakob Strauss

Hiking in the Alpe di Siusi

The duomo in Bressanone (Bixen) in Italy's Alte Adagio | Ingo

Beautiful landscape on the Chestnut Trail

Be surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites when walking Italy's lower-level Chestnut Trail | Mario

Church on the Chestnut Trail

The Earth Pyramid of Renon

Lively city of Bressanone

Hiking the stunning trails of the Alpe di Siusi

Roncolo Castle on a hilltop

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

NEW

Duration

8 days

Activities

self guided walk

Accommodation

hotel
b&b

Meals

7 Breakfasts

Price

$1460USD

Overview

Trip Code: JCD

South Tirol - The Chestnut Trail Trip highlights

Captivating views, wild open spaces, mountain lakes, jagged peaks
Be surrounded by the Dolomites & Italian Alps
Delicious Italian cuisine, including cheeses, (chestnut) mushrooms & speck
Walk in Trentino Alto Adige; an area with ancient Italian-Germanic culture
Novacello Abbey (also known as Neustifft Abbey) and its renowned white wines
Hiking through woods, alpine meadows & vineyards

Wander in the beautiful South Tirol, the heart of the Trentino Alto Adige region, where German and Italian culture combine in harmony. This perfectly put together itinerary follows the "Chestnut Trail", a route highlighting the Dolomites Mountains, offering spectacular views of the landscape dotted with castles, farms and ancient abbeys. It will take you through orchards and vineyards where some of the best wines in Italy are produced. Pass through charming villages like Chiusa, home to artists and poets, as well as vibrant cities like Bolzano; the gate to the Dolomites.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Share trip:

Facebook Twitter Google+ Email

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrival in Bressanone

Your trip starts with an arrival in Bressanone (via Innsbruck or Bolzano airports plus a train journey). It's a vibrant, lively city and the oldest of the whole Tyrol. If you arrive early, take the chance to stroll through its colourful alleys and visit the frescoed rooms of the bishop's palace.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Novacella Abbey to Velturno - 15 km / 10 miles, 5 hours

Take a short bus ride to the Augustinian monastery of Novacella, which is well known for its locally produced white wine. You will then follow dirt tracks and countryside paths among woods and vineyards to eventually arrive in Velturno, rich in chestnut trees.

Meals: B

Day 3
Velturno to Barbiano - 16 km / 14.5 miles, 6 hours

Today's walk entails a variety of charming sights such as the Sabiona Monastery; the spiritual heart of the Tyrol area, perched on the top of a steep cliff; Chiusa, home to artists and poets, among the most beautiful Italian hamlets; and lastly, Barbiano, a nice village located on the banks of River Isarco.

Meals: B

Day 4
Barbiano to Collalbo - 15 km / 10.5 miles, 6 hours

You will walk through woods and orchards taking you to the picturesque village of Collalbo. This is a hikers' paradise located on the Renon plateau , well-known ski centre. Opt for the detour walk to see a rock with prehistoric signs.

Meals: B

Day 5
Collalbo: circular walk via Kematen & earth pyramids - 11 km / 7 miles, 4 hours

A panoramic walk will take you along the Renon plateau which runs through forests and typical Alpine meadows. On your way you skirt the nice Kematen Lake and the typical earth pyramids; cone-shaped formations created by moraine silt that was brought here by melting Ice Age glaciers. You will end your walk with a scenic train ride from Renon back to Collalbo.

Meals: B

Day 6
Collalbo to Castel Roncolo, bus to Bolzano - 18 km / 16 miles, 8 hours

Your walk today will take you through orchards, forests and cultivated fields, in a countryside filled with castles, manor houses and farms. You'll finish your walk at Castel Roncolo (Runkelstein Castle) from where you'll take a bus to Bolzano. The town showcases both Italian and Austrian cultures as well as many artistic beauties. (Please check the last bus to Bolzano so you don't miss this, but you can also walk the whole way into Bolzano)

Meals: B

Day 7
Bolzano: Alp of Siusi circular walk - 13 km, 4 hours

Start your day with a bus ride from Bolzano to Siusi, you then take a a cable car to the Compatsch: your walk starts here. This is a circular walk along the biggest Alpine plateau in Europe, passing through mountain huts and small hamlets, offering magnificent views of the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. The walk leads you back to Compatsch, from where a ride in cable car and bus takes you back to Bolzano.

Meals: B

Day 8
Departure from Bolzano

Your trip ends after breakfast.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

7 breakfasts
7 nights accommodation in 3-4* hotels on twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Luggage transfer
Digital information kit & navigational app
Emergency hotline
Ritten Card (valid for 3 days)

What's not included

Dinners, lunches & beverages
Bus and train journeys at the beginning and end of the tour
During the tour, transfers by bus or cable car
Travel insurance
Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
City tax - locally payable to the accommodations
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation

Hotels

Stay in a selection 3* and 4* hotels and B&B’s. Some hotels also have swimming pool. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Throughout the trip, there are plenty of opportunities to taste both the great local food and a wide array of prestigious wines of the Alto Adige region in Italy.

Grading

moderate

Moderate (Grade 3) - The whole itinerary is mostly on surfaced and unsurfaced roads, countryside tracks and paths. Several walks have shorter options.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 May to 25 October

Notes

Mid Season

High Season

Peak Season Supplement

Note:

Mid Season is 25 Jun-11 Jul & 7-25 Oct. High Season is 12-31 Jul & 1 Sep-6 Oct. Peak Season is from 1-31 Aug. A supplement applies for a departure in these seasons.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1460USD

Options & Supplements*

Single SupplementUSD$410
Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$440
Mid Season Single/Solo SupplementUSD$460
High & Peak Season Single/Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$460

*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all | Collapse all

?Is there any Via Ferrata on this Dolomites walking trip?

There is no Via Ferrata climbing on iron ways involved in our trip. Trails however can be loose in places after snow with gravel washouts and care needs to be taken at certain times.

?What is the weather in the Dolomites like?

The weather in the Dolomites is often stable and clear during the period that we run this walking tour. Normally it is drier than the Italian Alps further north and west, however humid Mediterranean air from the Gulf of Venice can bring instability and afternoon thunderstorms are quite common.

?Are there files that I can download to my GPS unit or phone?

Yes, we will provide GPX files of the walks in the Dolomites that we have set out for you. These files need to be interpreted with care and the performance of GPS can be affected by cliffs and rain etc.

?Are hiking poles recommended?

Hiking poles are very useful on the steep descents and for loose scree sections when you're walking in the Dolomites.

?How easy is it to travel to and from the area?

Travelling to Bressanone involves a train journey from either Bolzano Airport or Innsbruck Airport. From Campitello at the end of your tour, there is a limited bus service to Trento (allow 3 hours), then train to Venice. We would recommend an extra stay in Venice.

South Tirol - The Chestnut Trail Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.