10 TOP destinations with a lot of views in Merano

The St. Hippolyt church was first mentioned in a document in 1286, but it is certain that this unique excursion destination in Merano was already used in pre-Christian times, at least this is suggested by some finds from the Neolithic Age, which can be admired in the Archaeological Museum in Bolzano. What was already true 4000 years ago is of course still true today: from here, at about 760 meters above sea level, you have a fantastic view that reaches all the way to the cities of Merano and Bolzano, but also over the mountains above, such as the Texel Group to the north and the Catinaccio to the southwest.
Even in the cool season there are pleasant temperatures here thanks to the sun-exposed position, on the benches around the church, but also on the landing meadow you can always find a place for a cozy rest!

Justifiably one of the most popular destinations in Merano and the surrounding area: on the Rotsteinknott, a huge porphyry rock between Hafling and Vöran, thirty true-to-the-original (folding) cinema seats made of larch wood were recreated and installed by artist Franz Messner on behalf of the tourist board. The Knottnkino. Here you can make yourself comfortable and experience cinema feeling in the open air. The screen is replaced by the magnificent landscape with a view of the Adige Valley with the villages of Nalles, Lana, Marlengo, Parcines, Merano and the lower Vemosta Valley. The action, on the other hand, is created by changing light conditions, cloud formations and views of the region's mountains, which reach up to 3000 meters above sea level.

Like all churches in unique vantage points in Merano, this church dates back to gray prehistoric times. Built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries AD, today still preserves the portal in sandstone from the fifteenth century. This small church is located above Sirmian and Nals, at the northernmost point of the Merano region. The area was already inhabited in the Bronze Age and offered protection from the swamp, which was prevalent in the Adige valley at that time. Several places to sit and rest around the church offer an ideal place in the sun and open views of the Adige Valley and Terlano, as well as the Merano valley basin and the Bolzano basin.

The famous high alpine road connects the Austrian Ötztal with the Passeier Valley. Depending on weather conditions and snow depth, it opens in May/June and remains passable until the first big snowfalls in autumn. The drive over the winding and charming pass road, which leads up to 2500 meters above sea level, is considered a great experience for car and motorcycle lovers and a challenge for cyclists. For several years, the road has been enriched with installations and viewpoints. For example, on the South Tyrolean side, the "telescope" was recently created, which with its two orientations focuses on the Granatkogel and the Hoher First. Here you will immediately feel transported into the scenery of the mountains of the furthest Passeier Valley!

Here, too, our ancestors in the 12th century probably knew very well what makes the most beautiful places in the region. The St. Kathrein church is located a hair's breadth from the transition between the Haflinger mountain ridge and the Merano valley basin. Probably the most visited church in the region, today it is a popular place for short excursions, but also for wedding ceremonies. With the mighty Ifinger peak behind it, there is a breathtaking view of the city of Merano and the surrounding mountains from here. Directly on the outer walls of the church are many benches where, after enjoying the view, you can turn to the sun on the warm wall.

Here's a tip for the most beautiful hours of the day: the sunrise and sunset. The Marlengo Waalweg Trail is undoubtedly the Waalweg with the most viewing opportunities and therefore quite crowded at daytime. In the morning, however, as well as in the evening, life is at rest and the Waalweg reveals all its beauty in the soft light, especially if you stay there at its northern end above Tscherms, at Lebensberg Castle. The castle itself houses a museum worth seeing, and nearby is the popular Buschenschank Haidenhof.

The steep mountain meadows at the Muthöfe above Tirolo are visible to anyone who is south of them, both from the valley and from the surrounding mountains. Thus, it was only a matter of time until a lookout pulpit is created here. This year (spring 2018) the time had come. As a reminiscence of the arduous work of the farmers on the steep mountain meadows, a viewing basket was installed just below the Steinegg Restaurant. A basket? Yes, because baskets used to be used to bring the hay from the meadows to the barn. Thus, the splendidly situated Muthöfe, known as a starting point for hikes on the Merano High Mountain Trail and to the Spronser lakes, are now richer by this unique attraction. From the viewing basket you can not only enjoy the completely unobstructed view of Merano & surroundings, here are also two telescopes in which the information about what you are looking at is displayed.

Since time immemorial, the Vigiljoch above Merano has been a point of attraction. This is evidenced on the one hand by the many finds, which date back to the Stone Age, and on the other hand by the fact that Europe's second cable car was built here in 1912. Hiker's paradise, skiing area, but also summer home of many well-heeled citizens of Merano and name giver for the renowned Hotel Vigilius directly at the mountain station of the cable car, the Vigiljoch has many faces. Nevertheless, somehow everything here revolves around the mystical Vigiljoch Church, which according to legend was built in the 11th century on a prehistoric hilltop shrine. Today the church is a hiking destination, resting place and vantage point in one, around the church there are many places on the surrounding meadow where you can sit down - best with a bulging picnic basket - to enjoy the view.

The excursion destination for those on short notice, which are in the city of Merano. Why? Because the Powder Tower is quick & easy to reach and the view from here of the old town is simply brilliant, almost intimate! Actually, what today represents the Powder Tower was the keep of a castle that watched over the city. After a fire in the Middle Ages, this was not rebuilt and its keep was converted during the 30-year war to the ammunition powder store, hence its current name. Directly at the powder tower is a small, cozy kiosk, which has earned a good name for itself with small dishes and cool aperitifs.

The small hamlet of Aschbach belongs to the municipality of Lagundo, but geographically it is already in the lower Vinschgau Valley. Accordingly, the view here still reaches Merano, but high against the VinschgauValley  and the Ortles group, opposite lies the mighty Texelgruppe with your up to 3300 meters high peaks.  A little bit away from the small fraction lies the famous church Maria im Schnee, built in 1695, on a small hill, from which you have the best view of the surroundings.
At the same time, Aschbach is considered an ideal day destination with many hiking possibilities, for example to the Vigiljoch and to the Naturnser Alm.