Hiking Vacation & The Grand Prix of Merano

Two absolute highlights of autumn in Merano are hikes in the Texel Group and the Merano Grand Prix, the highest-prize horse race in Central Europe. If you’d like to experience this contrast between alpine tranquility and thrilling elite sports, you’ll find the perfect base camp for an unforgettable fall vacation in South Tyrol at the Hotel Zirmerhof in Riffian.

Hiking Vacation in Merano

When fall brings a crisp clarity to the Merano region and the larch forests slowly turn yellow, nature shifts into a lower gear. But life around Riffian is certainly anything but boring. On the contrary: South Tyrolean fall is full of possibilities—and not just when it comes to hiking. The family-run Hotel Zirmerhof is the perfect spot for this—quietly situated at the entrance to the Passeier Valley, yet just a stone’s throw from the spa town of Merano. Gerlinde is your host and hiking guide at the hotel, which is surrounded by its own apple orchards.

The Merano Grand Prix — © Hotel Zirmerhof

In the morning at the summit, at noon in the apple orchard

A perfect day of vacation at the Zirmerhof begins when it’s still pitch dark outside. Together with Gerlinde, we head up into the Texel Group. The destination: A guided sunrise hike. When the first light touches the three-thousand-meter peaks and the morning fog still hangs thick in the valley, the hot tea from the thermos at the summit cross tastes twice as good. Back at the hotel, a well-deserved mountaineer’s breakfast awaits. Those who want to relax afterward can enjoy the pool, spa, and the family-owned apple orchards surrounding the hotel.

Enjoyable hikes lead to the historic Waalwege trails. These centuries-old irrigation channels wind their way along the slopes with almost no incline. On trails like the Marlinger Waalweg, you can take a leisurely stroll through the lush South Tyrolean summer landscape. It’s harvest season: the scent of fresh fruit fills the air, and at small wooden stands right along the trail, you can sample crisp South Tyrolean apples straight from the farmer.

Guided hike with the hostess and hiking guide Gerlinde.

While hiking in Merano, you must not miss the beautiful sunrises.

The South Tyrolean apple ambassador from Wanderhotel Zirmerhof picks a red apple.

The outdoor pool at Hotel Zirmerhof is wonderfully refreshing after a hike in South Tyrol.

Horses jump over an obstacle at the Grand Prix of Merano.

A jockey on his horse at the racecourse during the Grand Prix of Merano.

A Touch of Ascot: The Merano Grand Prix

Every last Sunday in September, the historic racecourse in Meran-Untermais gets loud, colourful and elegant. The tradition-steeped steeplechase horse race looks back on a fascinating history:

Since 1935: The legendary race was launched for the festive opening of the 40-hectare grounds on 26 October 1935.
The legendary "Million Race": The Grand Prix became famous for its, by the standards of the time, astronomical prize money of 1 million lire (linked to the state lottery). That instantly made it one of the most important races in Europe.
A hair's breadth from the crowd: The 5,000-metre course runs in a figure-of-eight across the turf and features 24 spectacular obstacles such as the water ditch, the oxer or the giant fence. The special thing for you as a spectator: most of the course lies so close to the grandstands that you can follow the fast-paced action completely without binoculars.
The "Monaco of equestrian sport": Among jockeys, the track is considered the absolute top league because of its sharp bends and demanding jumps – a myth in equestrian sport, comparable to the Formula 1 race in Monte Carlo.

Here, alpine ease meets true grandeur. The Grand Prix of Merano is no stiff event for a closed society, but a festival that sweeps up the whole region. While an exclusive preview of the Merano WineFestival whets the appetite for fine South Tyrolean wines on the grounds, a touch of Ascot simultaneously wafts through the spa town. People dress up: between the grandstand and the paddock you'll spot elegant outfits and the often wonderfully extravagant hats worn by the female visitors.

It's this mix of thrilling top-class sport, international flair and typical South Tyrolean warmth that makes the last weekend of September so unique every year. Thanks to the short distance from Riffian to Meran-Untermais, you're quickly in the thick of the action and can simply switch off again in the evening in the absolute tranquillity of the hotel.

Your box seat at Hotel Zirmerhof

Whether high up on the summit, strolling leisurely along the Waalwege irrigation paths, or caught up in the excitement at the racecourse: after an eventful day, you'll find relaxation, peace and indulgence at the Zirmerhof. Your tired legs will look forward to a dip in the heated outdoor pool or the sky pool with its view over the autumnal landscape. Over the evening's five-course menu of Alpine-Mediterranean cuisine, you'll gather energy for new adventures.