Extensive meadows, rustic ‘Schupfen’ (small huts), flat hiking trails, lovingly designed themed paths and cosy places to stop for a bite to eat - you almost get the feeling that time stands still for a little while up here on the Salten, Europe's highest larch plateau. Just a short climb from Jenesien, at an altitude of around 1,300-1,400 metres, this mountain idyll invites you to enjoy wonderful hikes, bike tours, carriage or horseback rides with the ‘blond’ Haflinger horses. All of this is crowned with a picture-book backdrop: The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage rise majestically on one side and the Mendel and Ortler mountains on the other. In between, the lush greenery of the Etsch Valley, through which the river of the same name winds its glistening and leisurely way.
Simply very special at any time of year
In spring a purple and white crocus magic awaits you on the extensive pastures below the Stoanernen Mandln (little stone men) - a veritable sea of flowers as far as the eye can see.
In summer, you hike through blooming landscapes, the aromatic scent of Alpine herbs and larch resin in your nose, the warming sun on your skin.
Autumn seduces all your senses - with the glowing golden hues of the larch needles, the gentle rustle of the wind in the colourful leaves, the enticing aroma of freshly roasted chestnuts in the air, delicious traditional Törggelen dishes and full-bodied wines.
And in winter, immerse yourself in a glittering white wonderland that envelops you in a peaceful silence.
The highest elevations of the Salten (from the Latin ‘saltus’ = forest), which was first mentioned in the 13th century, are the Tschaufenhöhe at 1,468 metres and Langfenn at 1,527 metres. The gentle differences in altitude make this magical spot a true paradise for excursions for young and old. The E5 European long-distance hiking trail also winds its way through the picturesque meadows and larch forests on its section from Meran 2000 to Jenesien.
By the way, our larches are very special trees: Did you know that they are the only coniferous tree to shed their needles in autumn after they have turned a bright golden yellow? Their resin, called ‘Lörget’ or ‘Pech’ in South Tyrolean dialect, has a natural healing and disinfecting effect. It has been carefully and gently extracted from the trunk of the larch tree for centuries and is still used today to treat poorly healing wounds, boils, back pain, respiratory diseases and rheumatic and neuralgic complaints. The oldest specimen on the Salten, our original larch, with a height of 24 metres and a diameter of 2.03 metres, can be found near the ‘Gschnoferstall’ near Nobls.
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