{"id":41100,"date":"2026-07-30T16:30:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/gitschberg-jochtal-hiking-in-a-little-known-corner-of-south-tyrol\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T14:59:38","slug":"gitschberg-jochtal-hiking-in-a-little-known-corner-of-south-tyrol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/italy\/south-tyrol\/gitschberg-jochtal-hiking-in-a-little-known-corner-of-south-tyrol\/","title":{"rendered":"Gitschberg Jochtal: Hiking in a Little-Known Corner of South Tyrol"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gitschberg Jochtal: Hiking in the Summer, Skiing Away from the Crowds in the Winter<\/h1>\n\n

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\u2019s 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\u2014with Meransen as its best-known village\u2014remains surprisingly quiet in both seasons. <\/p>\n\n

\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n\n

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<\/strong><\/a> just around the corner. In this article, you\u2019ll find an overview of the area: where it\u2019s located, what you can do there in summer and winter, and how to get there without much hassle. <\/p>\n\n

Where is the Gitschberg Jochtal located?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The Gitschberg Jochtal vacation region comprises eight towns: Meransen, M\u00fchlbach, 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. <\/p>\n\n

\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n\n

Hiking on and around the Gitschberg<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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 Gitschh\u00fctte to the summit\u2014a 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. <\/p>\n\n

Experienced hikers can explore the \u201cBig Five<\/strong><\/a>\u201d: 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 \u201cwild lake\u201d). <\/p>\n\n

Note: Always think carefully before setting out on a mountain hike. Read more about this in our article on safe hiking in Europe<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

\n
\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Cycling, mountain biking, and more<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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\u2014often bookable through your hotel or the local tourist offices. <\/p>\n\n

\"Gitschberg<\/figure>\n\n

Winter: Skiing Without the Crowds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n

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\u2019s area with carpet lifts, a snow tubing run, and a practice slope, making the area accessible even for families with young children. If you\u2019d rather not ski, the free Brixen S\u00fcdtirol GuestPass allows you to use public transportation in the region for free all year round. <\/p>\n\n

\"Brixen<\/figure>\n\n

Day Trip to Brixen: South Tyrol’s Oldest City<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n

Near the Franzensfeste train station, on the way to Meransen, there is also a 19th-century fortification complex that now houses a museum.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"Brixen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Brixen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Brixen<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Accessibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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 S\u00fcdtirol GuestPass. <\/p>\n\n

\n

Staying Overnight in the Gitschberg Jochtal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located in Meransen is Biohotel Gitschberg<\/a><\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Biohotel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Biohotel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Biohotel<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

Gitschberg Jochtal on the map<\/h2>\n\n
\"Gitschberg<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gitschberg Jochtal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

What is the difference between the Gitschberg Jochtal and the Dolomites?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n

Is the area suitable for families with children?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Yes. In addition to short, flat hiking trails like the Elfenpad, Meransen has a special children\u2019s area in the winter with carpet lifts, a snow tubing run, and a practice slope. <\/p>\n\n

How do I get to Gitschberg Jochtal without a car?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Via the Franzensfeste train station, on the Innsbruck\u2013Verona line, followed by a bus ride or a pickup service from the accommodation.<\/p>\n\n

Can you also visit Brixen from Meransen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gitschberg Jochtal: Hiking in the Summer, Skiing Away from the Crowds in the Winter 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\u2019s the Gitschberg Jochtal, on the northeastern edge of Brixen, where the Eisack Valley gives way […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":41101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[290,222,191,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-tyrol","category-italy","category-hiking-tours","category-niet-gecategoriseerd"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41100"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41220,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41100\/revisions\/41220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}