Walking holiday searches are up 540% — why South Tyrol is one of Europe’s best regions to explore on foot

Walking holiday searches are up 540% — why South Tyrol is one of Europe’s best regions to explore on foot

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With National Walking Month this month and demand for active holidays continuing to rise, more UK travellers are choosing walking as a way to explore Europe at a slower pace. UK Google searches for hiking holidays have risen in recent months. For example, searches for “Dolomites hiking holiday” have increased by 540 per cent over the past year, generating more than 400,000 searches in the same period.¹

In northern Italy, South Tyrol offers one of the most varied walking landscapes in Europe and is much quieter than the lesser-known hot spots, with more than 17,000 kilometres of marked trails running from vineyard-lined valleys to high Alpine ridges. Shaped by its position between Italy and Austria, the region has Mediterranean and Alpine influences, with centuries-old paths still linking farms, villages and mountain huts. The Ritten plateau, above Bolzano, sits at a comfortable 1,200 metres, which keeps conditions comfortable for much of the year. Spring and autumn tend to offer the clearest light and most stable temperatures, but even in July and August, daytime highs typically sit in the mid-20s°C, making it possible to walk throughout the summer without the intensity found at lower altitudes.

The Ritten plateau

Above Bolzano, the Ritten plateau sits at around 1,200 metres, with a network of well-maintained trails that range from short circular walks to full-day hikes. The terrain shifts quickly, from larch forests and open alpine meadows to ridgelines with clear views across the Dolomites.

Some of the most distinctive routes start directly on the plateau. The walk to the Ritten earth pyramids passes through woodland to reach the region’s unusual clay formations, while longer routes lead towards the Rittner Horn (2,260m), one of the area’s best viewpoints, with wide panoramas stretching across South Tyrol. There are also gentler paths linking small hamlets and farms, where traditional inns and mountain huts remain part of the walking culture.

The plateau is also unusually easy to access. A cable car connects Bolzano to Oberbozen in around 12 minutes, rising from the city centre to open countryside in a single journey. From there, a historic narrow-gauge railway runs across the plateau, making it possible to combine walks with short hops between trailheads without needing a car.

A base with direct access to 300km of trails

Set on the plateau, Parkhotel Holzner offers direct access to more than 300 kilometres of walking routes. Walks begin from the hotel itself, removing the need for transfers or complex route planning.

Routes from the doorstep include gentle panoramic walks across the plateau, woodland trails to the Ritten earth pyramids, and longer hikes towards the Rittner Horn (2,260m). Trails can also be followed down towards Bolzano, where the landscape shifts to vineyards and a more Mediterranean feel.

Parkhotel Holzner has been welcoming guests since 1908. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool and wellness area, powered by a wood-chip heating system, as well as a restaurant recognised with a Green Michelin star, focused on regional produce. Tennis courts are available year-round, weather permitting.

Hiking with Harry

For those looking for structure, the hotel runs a weekly programme of guided walks led by its in-house guide, Harald “Harry” Fink. A long-time friend of the owning family, he trained as a carpenter before travelling widely, later returning to take up a role at the hotel and qualifying as a hiking and biking guide.

He is on site year-round and leads two guided hikes and two guided e-bike tours each week, all included in the room rate. Private hiking tours are also available from €285 per group. He focuses on routes that combine scenery with insights into the area’s history, architecture and way of life.

Guests who prefer to walk independently can follow recommended routes provided by the hotel.

Combining mountain and city

After a day walking, guests can take the cable car down to Bolzano, where the atmosphere shifts from alpine quiet to a compact city known for its food, wine and café culture. The perfect dual-centre holiday while only needing to stay at one hotel! 

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Sources: 

1. Search data taken from KeyWordTool, correct as of March, 2026. 

Transport options: 

By Train*: 76.6 kg CO₂ per passenger, one way

1. St Pancras International to Bruxelles-Midi: 2 hours 1 minute, 1 stop (Eurostar)
2. Bruxelles-Midi to Cologne Central Station: 3 hours 10 minutes, 2 stops (Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn)
3. Cologne Central Station to Munich Central Station: 9 hours 48 minutes, 12 stops (Deutsche Bahn)
4. Munich Central Station to Bolzano/Bozen: 3 hours 55 minutes, 8 stops (Deutsche Bahn)

*other train routes are available 

By Plane (with Sky Alps): 216.09 kg CO₂ per passenger, one-way

1. London to Bolzano:
2. Fly from London to Bolzano with Sky Alps, which operates direct flights from London to Bolzano. 
3. Bolzano to Oberbozen:
4. From Bolzano, take the Ritten cable car to Oberbozen.

Prices: From 300 euros per room, per night based on two people sharing with half-board

About Parkhotel Holzner:

Parkhotel Holzner is a family-run hotel located 1,200 metres above sea level on the Oberbozen plateau, just above Bolzano in South Tyrol. The hotel, which blends the historic charm of its 1908 Alpine Jugendstil origins with a modern 2018 expansion, offers a balance of tradition and contemporary design. With spacious rooms and suites (an expansive wellness area featuring a heated outdoor pool and panoramic saunas, and a variety of treatments, the hotel provides an ideal setting for relaxation.

The hotel caters to families with a kids' club, family programmes, and a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and mountain biking on the nearby Ritten plateau. The Green Michelin restaurant, 1908, showcases the flavours of South Tyrol, with an emphasis on local ingredients and sustainable practices. Guests also enjoy the convenience of the RittenCard, which offers access to public transportation, cable cars. A prime location with easy access to Bolzano, Parkhotel Holzner ensures both a peaceful retreat and direct proximity to the city’s cultural attractions.

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Editors notes

https://www.parkhotel-holzner.com/en