Activities and sports
In the midst of nature, body and soul are recharged with positive energy. Bolzano offers plenty of opportunities for movement and fun in the open air. You'll be spoilt for choice with walks, numerous sports facilities and plenty of green spaces.
Walks in the city of Bolzano
Like every city Bolzano too faces the fast pace of urban life. However, with just a few steps you can leave your stress behind and immerse yourself in the peaceful tranquillity of famous walks.
Guncina and S.Osvaldo, for example, completed at the end of 1800, are well renowned routes gently climbing through Mediterranean vegetation up to the top of the surrounding hills and offering stunning views over the city.
Lungotalvera Bolzano and Lungotalvera San Quirino are immersed in the lush Petrarca Park and meadows along the Talvera river. These walks are right adjacent to the city centre and provide an opportunity to practice various sports and recreational activities.
Download the paths: Promenades in Bolzano
Castelronda
Lovers of walking? Bolzano, St. Genesio and Terlano have a new themed trail dedicated to the most beautiful castles in and around Bolzano. The trail is over 20 km long and offers a priceless view of the castles and nature in all its forms. You can choose to start the trail at any of the three locations, but of course it is also possible to shorten the route to your liking.
The Castelronda Castle Trail is accessible all year round, although it is particularly recommended to walk it in spring and autumn, when the colours become more intense and the temperatures milder.
A starting point for the trail could be, for example, the valley station of the former St. Genesio cable car, from where it continues in the direction of the ruins of Rafenstein Castle and Cologna, near which is the ruin of Greifenstein Castle. The route then leads to Neuhaus Castle, or Maultasch, and down to Terlano.
Along the entire route, new signposting will be installed to tell the history, anecdotes and interesting facts about the various fortifications, which will also be of interest to younger visitors.
A brochure is available from the relevant tourist offices or by clicking here.
Trekking
Hundreds of kilometres of promenades wind their way from and around the city; walks, hikes and trips lasting a few hours are interwoven with the urban architecture and form a jagged communications network.
Walkers in and around Bolzano can choose between a walk through typical Mediterranean vegetation and a hike through meadows, forests and alpine pastures.
Here are some suggestions for excursions that can be done independently:
- Promenades in Bolzano
- Spiritual Pathways
- Wine Trails
- Renon/Ritten
- San Genesio/Jenesien
- Colle/Kohlern
- Wine Road
- Val Sarentino/Sarntal
- Latemarium in Obereggen
You get further information on itineraries at the Tourist Office in Via Alto Adige/Südtiroler Str. 60, tel. +39 0471 307000 info@bolzano-bozen.it
Sports facilities
Looking for sport? Bolzano is the place for you.
Professional climbers, but also those who want to get acquainted with the world of climbing, meet at the SALEWA CUBE, one of the largest climbing halls in Italy. Visitors can test 180 routes of all levels of difficulty. Located in Bolzano South, the large cube is easily accessible by public transport or by car.
In summer, when temperatures rise, there is nothing better than a dip in the regenerating waters of the “Bolzano Lido”, the outdoor swimming pool in Bolzano.
In the evening, you can meet up at the minigolf course on the Talvera meadows for a game in good company and to taste some local specialties.
In winter, the Talvera meadows are also a great place to go ice-skating. During the Christmas Market, don't miss the opportunity to skate in the heart of the city.
And don't forget the many football pitches, skate parks and outdoor fitness areas scattered around Bolzano.
Via Ferrata and climbing
Bolzano, gateway to the Dolomites, is the ideal starting point for exploring the beautiful mountains to the south-east of the provincial capital. Tackling the 'pale mountains', exploring peaks up to over 3,000 metres high, staying in touch with nature and contemplating beauty that is unique in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are certainly experiences not to be missed.
The Dolomites extend from the Val d'Ega via the Sciliar, the Ladin Gardena and Badia valleys, Val Pusteria, and the Tre Cime to the neighbouring provinces of Trento and Belluno.
Whether via ferrata, climbing or hiking, the possibilities of experiencing the mountains are manifold and what better way to do it than with experienced and trained guides?
Curious to see some highligts about via ferrata? Here you can see videos about the Dolomites and the surroundings of Bolzano:
Roberto Iacopelli of the I.F.M.G.A Mountain and Ski Guide will be on hand to organise and arrange your Dolomite experience. Here are the contacts:
Tel: +39 328 3583653
Email: roberto@discoverydolomites.com
Website: https://www.discoverydolomites.com/ and https://via-ferrata-dolomites.com/
For further information on the city of Bolzano contact our Information Office, Tel. +39 0471 307000, info@bolzano-bozen.it
- Dolomiti Ampezzane
- Dolomiti Bellunesi
- Val di Fassa
- Alta Pusteria - Tre cime
- Val D'Ega
- Sciliar - Alpe di Siusi
- Val Badia
- Val di Fiemme
- Val Gardena
- Val Pusteria