Eight villages, no well-known name, and yet 300 kilometers of marked hiking trails in the summer and 55 kilometers of ski runs in the winter: that’s the Gitschberg Jochtal, on the northeastern edge of Brixen, where the Eisack Valley gives way to the Puster Valley. While most travelers continue on to the Dolomites further away, this area—with Meransen as its best-known village—remains surprisingly quiet in both seasons.
When you visit here, you can combine hiking or winter sports with mountain lakes within walking distance and one of the oldest cities in South Tyrol just around the corner. In this article, you’ll find an overview of the area: where it’s located, what you can do there in summer and winter, and how to get there without much hassle.
The Gitschberg Jochtal vacation region comprises eight towns: Meransen, Mühlbach, Vals, Rodeneck, Spinges, Terenten, Vintl, and Weitental in the Pfunderertal. The region is located directly northeast of Brixen, at the entrance to the Puster Valley, and can be reached by car via the Brixen-Vahrn exit on the Brenner Highway (A22). Meransen itself is situated at an elevation of about 1,400 meters, on a sunny plateau with an unobstructed view of the Dolomites to the south.
The mountain that gives the area its name, the Gitschberg (2,512 m), can be reached by cable car from Meransen up to an elevation of 2,113 meters. From there, you can walk along a quiet, easily accessible trail past the Gitschhütte to the summit—a hike that is manageable for most fitness levels. For families with children, there are shorter, flatter routes through the forest, such as the Elfenpad, and the Almenrundweg, a roughly four-hour hike past various alpine huts.
Experienced hikers can explore the “Big Five”: the five highest peaks in the area (Wilde Kreuzspitze, Napfspitze, Eidechsspitze, Seefeldspitze, and Astjoch), with views stretching far into the Dolomites. Above Meransen lie the Seefeldseen, two small mountain lakes that are a popular stop along the way; in the Valsertal valley lies Lago Selvaggio (literally “wild lake”).
Note: Always think carefully before setting out on a mountain hike. Read more about this in our article on safe hiking in Europe.
The area also has an extensive network of cycling and mountain biking trails, ranging from leisurely rides through rolling meadows to steeper climbs toward the ski lifts. Looking for more adventure? Paragliding over the alpine meadows, rafting on the Eisack River, and summer activities like forest bathing or a hike with alpacas—often bookable through your hotel or the local tourist offices.
From Meransen, the cable car connects to fourteen other lifts, offering a total of 55 kilometers of slopes: more than enough for a few days of skiing, but without the long lines found at the larger Dolomite ski resorts further away. The lift station is located a few hundred meters from the village center, so you can walk to the slopes without needing a car or ski bus.
In addition to downhill skiing, you can also go cross-country skiing on the trails in the valley or explore the romantic winter hiking trails on snowshoes. Meransen also has its own children’s area with carpet lifts, a snow tubing run, and a practice slope, making the area accessible even for families with young children. If you’d rather not ski, the free Brixen Südtirol GuestPass allows you to use public transportation in the region for free all year round.
Brixen (Italian: Bressanone) is located on the Eisack River and is considered the oldest city in South Tyrol, with a cathedral whose history dates back to the year 990. The cathedral’s cloister, featuring medieval frescoes, is one of the better-known attractions. A few kilometers away lies Neustift Abbey (Novacella), founded in 1142, with a Baroque abbey church and a library full of medieval manuscripts.
Near the Franzensfeste train station, on the way to Meransen, there is also a 19th-century fortification complex that now houses a museum.
The nearest train station is Franzensfeste, on the rail line between Innsbruck and Verona. From there, buses continue further into the area, and many accommodations offer a pickup service. By car, take the Brenner Highway (A22) and exit at Brixen-Vahrn. Some of the side roads leading to the villages and hiking trailheads are narrow; public transportation in the region is well-organized and free during your stay with a Brixen Südtirol GuestPass.
Located in Meransen is Biohotel Gitschberg, a boutique eco-hotel with forty rooms, a panoramic spa, and an organic restaurant with Bioland Gold certification; it serves as a direct base for both the hiking and skiing areas, with the ski lift station within walking distance.
The Gitschberg Jochtal is a small-scale, quieter hiking and skiing area right next to Brixen, while the better-known Dolomite regions lie further to the east. From Meransen, you do have an unobstructed view of the Dolomites in the distance.
Yes. In addition to short, flat hiking trails like the Elfenpad, Meransen has a special children’s area in the winter with carpet lifts, a snow tubing run, and a practice slope.
Via the Franzensfeste train station, on the Innsbruck–Verona line, followed by a bus ride or a pickup service from the accommodation.
Yes, Brixen is about a 20- to 30-minute drive from Meransen and can easily be combined with a hiking vacation as a day trip for some culture and a stroll through the city.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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