Road trip to South Tyrol

Tips for your camping holiday in the mountains

South Tyrol – Italy’s northernmost province is a true paradise for nature lovers and climbing enthusiasts in summer, and skiers in winter. And with the roadsurfer camper, it’s twice the fun: You always have your little home with you and can really enjoy the winding routes on your road trip to South Tyrol.

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Camping in the South Tyrolean Alps

And another plus point for camping tourists: Although the campsites in South Tyrol are not as dense as in the Mediterranean region of Italy, their standard is surprisingly high. They offer the perfect starting point for a variety of sporting activities or are a tranquil idyll for relaxing.

We have some camping tips for you: From passes, where driving not only with the Bulli becomes a highlight to beautiful hiking routes of the region. Thus, your road trip to South Tyrol becomes a holiday you can tell about for a long time.

Excursion over the Brenner – Campsites in South Tyrol

The steep cliffs of the Dolomites are typical for South Tyrol – A perfect destination for athletes who have made the mountains their second home. But South Tyrol not only offers an exciting holiday experience for active campers: Older people and stressful workhorses will find relaxation here which they often miss in their everyday life. Besides, the Italian province is also a great destination for families with children who want to enjoy the idyllic nature.

For all these camping friends it is important to find the perfect domicile for both the Bulli and the human itself. And this is exactly what we have done for you. Here are our tips for sportsmen, families and those who are looking for relaxation.

Nature camping for families

“Think green” is the motto of the Moosbauer campsite on the outskirts of Bolzano. Here, nature is a priority. On top it has the “LernCamping Concept” – What does that mean? Information boards, mini seminars and delicious tastings of culinary specialties from the region. For us: A great concept for young and old!

The pitch is surrounded by lush green orchards. You can learn, harvest, taste and linger in the Urban Gardening Lounge. How cool! The site also offers all usual amenities of a campsite, including a playground and a swimming pool with a children’s pool.

Active in South Tyrol – Camping for athletes

The South Tyrolean campsite at Lake Toblacher is perfect for active roadsurfers. At an altitude of 1,259 meters, you can experience all the advantages that the Dolomites with their famous Three Peaks of the UNESCO World Heritage Site have to offer for sports enthusiasts. The surrounding mountain world can be explored by experienced climbers as well as by hobby mountaineers. Here you will also find the highest indoor climbing tower in Italy. Bike tours are also available and great cross-country trails and horse-drawn sleigh rides attract winter sports enthusiasts.

Great relaxation for seniors and dog lovers

The Waldcamping Naturns in the Texel Nature Park offers what its name already promises: Nature and recreation. The family business shines by its hospitality and is due to its contemplative situation in the midst of own orchards, a mixed forest and its rather small size particularly well suitable to let the soul dangle far away from mass tourism. Dogs are also very welcome here.

On the slopes with a camper – The most beautiful routes in South Tyrol

South Tyrol has endless curves. Driving them with a camper is a lot of fun. But not all routes are the same. On the following routes you can not only experience something as a driver, but also enjoy the wonderful surroundings as a holidaymaker.

The highest pass in the Eastern Alps: Stilfser Joch Pass Road

We start in Prad with the direction of Stilfser Joch. It is 2.757 meters above sea level and therefore, the tour is the highest in the Eastern Alps. We continue over the Umbrail Pass to Santa Maria and via Laatsch near Mals to Glurns in Vinschgau. On approx. 74 kilometers, you have a fantastic view of the Ortler region with the Trafoli National Park and the “Dreiländerspitze”. Furthermore, fun while driving is guaranteed: The route winds its way up the mountain in a total of 48 hairpin bends.

Experience old values – Jaufenpass and Penser Joch

Great castles and palaces await you on the route from Jaufenpass in Passererland via the Penser Joch, Bolzano to Terlan and back via the Mebo. The 155 kilometers route will show you the traditional Italy and the heart of South Tyrol.

Two passes in the quietest location – Gampenpass and Ulten Valley

Your round trip starts in Lana, from where you can take the Gampen Pass. From here you will pass through many small villages such as St. Felix, Fondo, Castelfondo, Laurein and Proveis. Via the Ulten Valley, after 95 kilometers and hopefully some sweet rural events, you finally reach your final destination Castrinjoch.

Imposing panoramic views through the Dolomites – Schlernrunde

You start the “Schlernrunde” in the “Schlern region” and then tour along the mountain road from Völs via Castelrotto and over the “Panidersattel” to Val Gardena. Very close to the 74 km long route is one of the most beautiful high alpine pastures in Europe – the Alpe di Siusi.

Driving fun guaranteed – Würzjoch and Pustertal

High up on the “Würzjoch” you can’t go without a bit of sporting driving skill. But when you reach the top, the adrenaline rush is rewarded with a wonderful view of the mighty Peitlerkofel. Besides, you can enjoy the numerous castles along the route from the Würzjoch through the Gader and Pustertal valleys to Mühlbach and back to Brixen. All in all, the round trip is about 86 kilometers long.

Once roaring through the Dolomites

Start your tour in Auer on the San Lugano Pass at an altitude of 1,100 meters. Then it goes through the Fassa Valley up to the Pordoi Joch in 2,239 meters aloft. The Falzarego Pass and the Passo Tre Croci follow. Next is the Pustertal through the Eisacktal to Bolzano and back to Auer. With a total of 155 kilometers, you have the full load of Dolomites, because you are driving over a total of 5 Dolomite passes. A stop at the picturesque Misurina Lake behind the Tre-Croci Pass will cool you down in between.

Beautiful but overcrowded – Sella ronda

The spectacular Stella car tour around the Sella massif – the heart of the Dolomites – is beautiful. If you’re on your way early enough, the 101-kilometer tour offers exactly what its reputation calls for: Panoramic views at their best – and then hopefully also without full roads. Start in Klausen and drive through the Gardena Valley to Selva Gardena, then up to the Groderjoch and take the Campolongo Pass. The Pordoi Joch and the Sella Joch follow. Through the Val Gardena valley it goes back to Klausen.

World-famous toll road – Three Peaks

The Three Peaks toll road is known far beyond the borders of South Tyrol – Of course, after all, the Three Peaks form the most famous rock formation in the Dolomites. An excursion to the Auronzo hut and a detour to the Misurina area should be at the top of your list – Especially as this route is the shortest of all with just 27 kilometers. In Dobbiaco you leave through the cave stone valley into the Dolomites, past the Düren and Misurina lakes and after the Antorno shelter over the toll road to the Auronzo hut. The way back is the same.

Nothing for new drivers – Timmelsjoch

You leave 50 kilometers and a total of 44 long hairpin bends behind you after this route. From Sölden, the route continues to St. Leonhard in Passeier on to the Italian ground. The Timmelsjoch at an altitude of 2,500 meters is not only the highest road border crossing in Austria, but also the highest glacier-free passage between the Reschen Pass and the Brenner Pass.

From the camper to trekking shoes – Hiking in South Tyrol

Alpine meadows, rivers, pilgrimage churches and rose gardens – Although there is nothing better than roaring along the passes of South Tyrol in a Bulli, a little physical exercise every now and then can’t do any harm – and even more at such a tranquil spot as South Tyrol. Here you can learn where the step out of the camper up to “Schusters Rappen” is particularly worthwhile.

1. The Tschamin Valley

In St. Zyprian, a sign points the way in the direction of Tschamintal. The trail leads through the forest to Tschaminschwaige at an altitude of 1,284 meters along a cute brook to the Right Leger and a small alpine hut. With a refreshing drink you can enjoy the view of the peaks of the Rosengarten, the Grasleitenspitzen and the Valbonkogel.

• Demand: Beginner
• Route: 9 kilometers
• Duration: 3,5 hours

2. The Passerschlucht

Those who like it a little cooler can start their hike in St. Leonhard. From here, the Passerschlucht winds its way with impressive rock formations, pools and whirlpools all the way to Moos. The paths are also suitable for children and dogs thanks to small footbridges, bridges and stairs.

• Demand: Beginner
• Route: 6.5 kilometers
• Duration: 3 hours

3. Holy Cross Hospice

From St. Cassiano the way leads you to the pilgrimage church Heiligkreuz located directly at the Heiligkreuzkofel and further via St. Leonhard to Pedraces. On the way you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Dolomites. At first there are only slightly ascending meadow slopes, but the ascent through larch and the “Zieben forests” becomes more strenuous by time. Luckily, you can get a delicious Kaiserschmarrn for refreshment in the inn at the pilgrimage church – That’s what the tavern is known for. If you don’t feel like taking the way back, you can simply take the chairlift from Pedraces.

• Demand: Advanced
• Route: 10 kilometers
• Duration: 3,5 hours

4. Neves High Trail

On the border between the Zillertal and Alta Pusteria, this hike takes you from Lappach, a small village in the “Mühlwald valley”, to the “Edelrauth” hut and on over the Nevesferner to the Nevesjoch hut. Here you have a fabulous view of the main ridge of the Alps and the “Großer Möseler”.

• Demand: Advanced
• Distance: 18 kilometers
• Duration: 6,5 hours

5. Rose Garden Round Table

If you make this hike, your face will shine. You start at the “Kölner Hütte”, which you can also reach with the chairlift. From there you go up to a rock bar and continue along a steep wall to the “Santnerpass”. The path continues to the “Gartlhütte” across a via ferrata. Sometimes it has wire ropes and ladders, but not every passage is as well secured. Those who suffer from dizziness should better skip this route.

• Demand: Professional
• Distance: 8 kilometers
• Duration: 6 to 7 hours

6. 8 summit march (Vinschgau)

From Stilfser Joch to Rötlspitze. This hike is nothing for weak nerves and painful knee joints since the summit is 3,004 meters above sea level. With a starting altitude of 894 meters above sea level, this means a difference in altitude of 2,110 meters which has to be overcome.

• Demand: Professionals
• Distance: 25 kilometers
• Duration: 12 hours (ascent)

As you can see, South Tyrol is not only excellent to explore with a camper. In addition to these suggestions, there are numerous dreamlike hiking routes – sometimes easier, sometimes harder – in the northernmost province of Italy. Take, for example, the Sesto Circular Trail, which, in addition to physical exercise, is also a theme trail with a great deal of historical knowledge about the region. Or the “Kalter Wine Trail” along the Wine Route, which also keeps its name.

Roadtrip to South Tyrol – A great choice all year round

The best thing about South Tyrol is that it is not only is a fantastic destination for campers in the summer months. In spring, the north of the Alps are often frosty and cool, but not so in South Tyrol. Here the flowers already bloom and the trees wear their fragrant dress of delicate pink and white flowers. Nevertheless, there is still enough snow to buckle up your skis and do a few laps.

In summer, however, the mountains of South Tyrol provide a pleasant coolness – A mild breeze always blows and chases away the stuffy heat familiar from other regions of Europe. Autumn attracts with mild temperatures and grape harvests. Who can refuse a good drop on golden autumn evenings?

And even in winter, campers in South Tyrol have a good time, because especially the Dolomites offer numerous campsites that are equipped for winter holiday makers. After all, now is the time for all skiers, snowboarders and snow hikers. And those who find the slope too cold can enjoy the cozy warmth in a spa.

So there’s nothing wrong with a road trip to South Tyrol – whether in summer or winter – it’s always worth it. So what are you waiting for? Off to the roadsurfer camper and off to the pass!