Hiking in South Tyrol vacation: Colorful spring valley

The Spring Valley connects the basins of the Lake Kaltern and the Montiggl Lakes, which were shaped by the Ice Age glacier. As the valley is located in a marshy depression, it is climatically favored. Very early on, warm air from southern regions flows here, ensuring that countless flowers cover the ground around the hiking trails. Due to the thousands of spring bloomers, the short valley is one of the most popular excursion destinations in South Tyrol. Already at the end of February, the white spring snowflakes, the yellow primroses, and the blue hepaticas start to bloom, before then anemones, violets, and lesser celandine complete the sea of flowers. The diverse deciduous mixed forest with elms, lindens, sweet cherries, beeches, oaks, robinias, and maple is also beautiful. Black elderberry, hawthorn, blood-red dogwood, and the red honeysuckle grow in the clearings. The ground is covered with ivy, which often extends into the crowns of the trees. In addition, hikers are accompanied by the trilling of the wren, the robins, and the tits.

A very easy hike, especially suitable for families, starts at the parking lot at Montiggl Lake. From there, a narrow road leads towards Montiggl. Before the church of the village of Montiggl, turn right and you will reach the Spring Valley or over the vineyards to the western shore of Lake Kaltern. There you can fortify yourself in one of the guesthouses, before then returning the same way back to the starting point. Those who are already too tired can also take the bus from St. Michael-Eppan back to the Montiggl Lakes.

However, spring in South Tyrol is also the time of specialty weeks. For example, in March the well-known Eisack Valley Tasting takes place. During this time, various restaurants in the valley invite guests to culinary delights, which each year are under a certain motto. Under the title 'wine-kaltern', wine lovers will get their money's worth in April. As part of the event, interested parties are allowed to take a look into the wine cellars, taste local wines, and try numerous culinary delicacies. During the specialty weeks in Jenesien near Bolzano, one can look forward to traditional fare from the farmers' kitchen. The idea for this was born 27 years ago, and since then the event has become a fixed point and experience for Jenesien.