If you’d like to explore South Tyrol’s stunning mountain landscape on your own, I’ve put together some tips to help you plan your own routes and hikes.
Plan your route online
If you want to map out your own routes or customize some of the hikes I’ve suggested, I recommend using komoot.com and outdooractive.com. After creating a free account, you can set your starting point and destination under “Tours,” and the platforms will automatically show you details like elevation gain, distance, duration, and more. All the routes you see on my website have been planned with komoot.com.
Pick up hiking maps at tourist offices
There are around 30 different tourist offices across South Tyrol, each representing a specific region. They’re a great resource for visitors, and you’ll often find free hiking maps and brochures there to help you plan your hike.
Ask locals for recommendations
Personally, I think the best way to find interesting hikes and day trips is by asking the people who live here. The hikes promoted by tourist offices tend to be pretty crowded and, in my opinion, a bit too touristy. If you’re after something quieter or want to discover hidden gems, ask the locals! Thanks to a few friendly conversations, we’ve stumbled upon some real off-the-beaten-path spots.
Kompass hiking maps
When we’re trying out a new or more challenging route, we like to use detailed hiking maps by Kompass. The free maps from the tourist offices are often simplified and focus mostly on popular tourist trails. You’ll find a good selection of Kompass maps at Athesia bookshops or sporting goods stores like Sportler in Bolzano. You can also easily order them online via the Kompass website.
