From Vigiljoch/Monte San Vigilio to Naturnser Alm – Natural Idyll and Summer Retreat
From the car-free home mountain and recreational area of Vigiljoch/Monte San Vigilio near Lana, through larch-dotted meadows and mountain forests to Naturnser Alm, on the ridge between Ultental/Val d’Ultimo and Vinschgau/Val Venosta. We travel to Vigiljoch/Monte San Vigilio (1489 m) via cable car. This cable car was originally built more than 100 years ago (1912), the very first aerial ropeway in the world. It was modernised in 2006 and takes only eight minutes to ascend 1170 metres.
We now set off on foot to the church of St. Vigil/San Vigilio. This small church was probably built on a prehistoric hill shrine. In the Middle Ages this village lay on the border between the Bishoprics of Trent and Chur.
After passing the Goldbrünnel and the Seven Springs we reach the Naturnser Alm (1910 m), and are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Texelgruppe/Gruppo di Tessa and the ice giants of the Ötztaler Alpen/Alpi Venoste. We descend comfortably via the Bärenbad Alm back to the cable car uphill station at Vigiljoch/Monte San Vigilio.
Info:
Route rating/description: easy hike
Mountain range: Ultner Berge/Cresta Val d’Ultimo
Length: 12 km
Time: 4 hours
Highest point: 1950 m
Elevation gain: 550 m
Ideal time of year: May to October or snowshoe hike in winter.
