A handful of ideas for your active holiday in Brixen / South Tyrol

Brixen is Italy’s northernmost wine-growing region. Vineyards rising above 700 metres, slate-rich soil and cool Alpine nights. How that Alpine landscape translates into a glass? Best discovered in the wine cellars of Brixen. One of them Abbazia di Novacella wine cellars has been producing wine since 1142.

Or head to Pacherhof, where a futuristic glass pyramid rises between medieval walls. Equally rewarding: A visit to  Kuenhof, on Villscheiderhof or on Radoar – at 850 metres, one of South Tyrol’s highest-altitude vineyards. Wherever you go: Sylvaner, Kerner, Riesling and conversations that drift from yeast to soil to the pull of the moon. And should the last bus leave without you, let it go – the vineyards are even more beautiful at night.

Baroque meets exposed concrete. In Brixen, the two go hand in hand. Begin your stroll through architectural history at Badhaus. Why you may ask? For reasons you’ll soon discover here. Then pass by the baroque cathedral – save it for another time. For now, continue to the Cusanus Academy from 1962 – a work by Othmar Barth. Onwards to the Brixen town library by Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli and on to the Tourist Information “Treehugger” by MoDus Architects, curving gently around an old plane tree.

Arriving in autumn for your active stay in South Tyrol? Prepare to loosen your belt a notch. In October and November, the Val d’Isarco celebrates its unofficial fifth season: Törggelen. To experience this living piece of South Tyrolean cultural, follow the Törggele circular trail around Novacella: 6 kilometres, 2 hours, with stops at Griesser, Pacherhof or Sunnegg. And then something else starts to turn. The table. With young wine (the star of the season), barley soup, Schlutzkrapfen, dumplings, a meat platter and chestnuts. 

The Alpe di Rodengo-Luson is one of the largest high plateaus in Europe. Covering 20 square kilometres, it’s every bit as impressive as its big sister in Siusi. In winter, it turns into a wonderland of ice, snow and sunshine. Perfect for cross-country skiing. Or for the occasional fall – if it’s your first time.

Your trail starts at the Zumis car park. 25 kilometres, classic or skating style. 300 metres of elevation gain, generously spread out. To your left the Zillertal Alps, to your right the Ötztal Alps, ahead the Dolomites, behind the Großglockner. Not into cross-country skiing? Winter hiking works just as well up here.

Abbazia di Novacella is within walking distance of the Boutique Hotel Badhaus. It’s home to Augustinian canons, an abbey library, Gothic cloister and medieval wine cellars. But the monastery offers more than history alone. Novacella is a also a centre for learning. 1,000 events take place here every year.

You might learn how to guide a group through the forest without anyone feeling led. Or how to keep your sanity in the world of financial accounting. The lecturers are outstanding, the programme remarkably diverse. Forest bathing. Rhetoric. Dorn Breuss massage. Herbalism for hiking guides. New work, occupational safety, oil painting, mental training for athletes, even AI. We can’t wait to see which workshop you choose.

The Sass de Putia is 2,875 metres high and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view from the top? One of the best in the Dolomites. Don’t just take our word for it, ask anyone who’s been up there.

Your starting point is at the Passo delle Erbe at 2,008 metres. The trail leads over the Prati del Putia – full of Alpine roses in summer, golden hues in autumn – up to the Forcella di Putia at 2,357 metres. Then comes the final ascent: an easy via ferrata – difficulty A–B, secured with cables. Sure footing required. A head for heights, too.

If that feels a little too ambitious: go for the Piccolo Sass de Putia instead. The view is practically just as good.

Or, simply go around the mountain without ascending it – a five-hour walk. Some say it’s the better option because you get to see every side of the mountain.