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3
moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • hotel
  • b&b
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1140GBP

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.

Countries:

Italy

Starting Point:

Bressanone

Finishing Point:

Bolzano


Your journey begins in Bressanone, a vibrant and historic city, the oldest in all of Tyrol. If you arrive early, make sure to explore its charming, colorful streets and visit the beautifully frescoed rooms of the bishops' palace. Accommodation: Residence Gasser is a charming and historic building located in the heart of the town.

Meals:  Nil

A morning bus ride will take you to the Augustinian monastery of Novacella, famous for its excellent white wine. From there, you'll follow dirt trails and scenic countryside paths through woods and vineyards, making your way to Velturno. This town, encircled by chestnut trees, enjoys such a mild climate that it was once a popular summer residence for noble families over the centuries. Accommodation: Hotel Feldthurnerhof is a beautiful, family-run hotel nestled in the heart of the picturesque town of Velturno.

Meals:  B

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. Accommodation: Tonight you will be staying in a lovely, family-run guesthouse offering cosy atmosphere, excellent cuisine as well as stunning views. If we're unable to book you in Barbiano, we will arrange your stay in Villandro which will make this day's walk shorter and the walk tomorrow longer.

Meals:  B

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. Accommodation: Spend 2 nights in a welcoming hotel situated right in the heart of Collalbo.

Meals:  B

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 Renon train ride from Soprabolzano back to Collalbo.

Meals:  B

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) Accommodation: 2 night stay in the centre of Bolzano accessible to the the historical and cultural attractions

Meals:  B

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

Your trip ends after breakfast.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

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

  • 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


Suitability

moderate

3

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

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
P
Peak Season Supplement
DN1
High season is from 25 Jun to 11 Oct. Mid season is from 12 Oct to 25 Oct. Supplement applies to high and mid season departures.

Priceper person from

£1140GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£180
  • 2025 Mid, High & Peak Season Single SupplementGBP£190
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£360
  • 2025 Mid, High & Peak Season Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£350
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

You will be provided log in details for a navigation app for this trip. However, we can also provide GPX files of the walks upon request. These files need to be interpreted with care and the performance of GPS can be affected by cliffs and rain etc.

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

Travelling to Bressanone involves a train journey from either Bolzano Airport or Innsbruck Airport. From Bolzano you can take the train directly to the airport (check Trenitalia for timetable)


South Tirol - The Chestnut Trail Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.

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